about Smuse
VA local, DC resident, artist, designer, museum nerd, Halloween enthusiast, sweet tooth, all around fun-haver
All Photos by Rae Giard
Hi! I'm Sarah Muse, also known as Smuse, an artist and graphic designer currently based in Washington D.C.
My career got its start in the fine arts, but my path to design began when I was involved in launching SAAM Creatives for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. That experience was a lightbulb moment for me, and I decided to change course. Despite receiving formal art training since the age of 6, my oil painting skills didn’t exactly translate to Adobe software. Determined to bridge this gap, I left my wonderful job at the museum and embarked on a self-taught journey to master the art of design. This led me to establish my own business, where I collaborated with clients nationwide on branding, illustration, and web design projects.
For two years, I balanced my entrepreneurial pursuits with online courses in Visual Design and UI Design, all while working as a waitress in D.C. In 2019, I transitioned into agency work as a designer at Beyond Definition, now Yes& Agency. Over the course of approximately three years, I honed my skills in production and publication design, while contributing to remarkable digital campaigns and re-branding projects.
In November of 2021, I seized an opportunity to join HITT Contracting in an in-house role. Now, as Brand Manager, I leverage my creativity to drive nationwide campaigns and ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints. Though primarily committed to my in-house responsibilities, I’m open to select freelance projects. Feel free to reach out—I might just have the bandwidth for your project!
EXPERIENCE
Brand Manager - HITT Contracting
Senior Graphics Associate - HITT Contracting
Designer - Beyond Definition
Freelance Designer/Creative Consultant (my entire life, but more seriously around 2015)
SAAM Creatives Coordinator - Smithsonian American Art Museum & Renwick Gallery
Development Assistant - Smithsonian American Art Museum & Renwick Gallery
Executive Assistant to the Owner - Guarisco Gallery
Waitress - A Bar A Ranch, Boundary Stone, Calico, Moreland’s Tavern