About
Isaiah Cotton
Creative director, designer, and digital storyteller based in Pasadena, CA. With a background in Cinema & Cinematography and 7+ years of graphic design experience, I work across branding, photography, video production, and web — bringing creative visions to life from concept to execution.
Founder of DSMSSD Studio — a multidisciplinary creative practice operating at the intersection of design, production, and technology. I’m driven by purposeful storytelling and building work that makes a lasting impression.
Experience
Founder & Creative Director
DSMSSD Studio
Remote · Feb 2020 — Present
- —Lead creative direction across branding, photography, video production, and web projects.
- —Manage end-to-end client relationships and multi-disciplinary project delivery.
- —Built a creative practice spanning design, production, fashion, and development.
Adobe Specialist
California State University of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · 2023 — Present
- —Implement and manage electronic signature solutions across university departments.
- —Design customized e-signature templates aligned with university branding guidelines.
- —Provide technical training, troubleshooting, and support to staff members.
Marketing Consultant
Northern Decor Event Design
Chicago, IL · 2019 — Present
- —Drive production of marketing materials — on brand, on time, and on budget.
- —Develop cross-functional marketing strategies, campaigns, and social content.
- —Write scripts, edit video, and conduct market research to fuel growth and innovation.
News Journalist
Daily Egyptian News
Carbondale, IL · 2014 — 2017
- —Wrote and produced broadcast stories across web and on-air platforms.
- —Edited video and collaborated with talent to create compelling feature content.
Education
Southern Illinois University of Carbondale
Cinema & Cinematography
Carbondale, IL · 2014 — 2017
Skills
Awards
Best Short Film
CTEC · "Summer of Us"
Best News Short
CTEC · "The Mane"
Best News Short
Daily Egyptian · "Blackout Cancer Football Game"