DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION DESIGNER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR / INTERACTIVE ARTIST

The surface shows not just what is in front of us, but what lies underneath. Change it and re-shape it, and an interface is offered for us to re-interpret and re-imagine the world.

AJ Smith is a surface-twister who shows how personal perceptions interplay with social space. Her discipline for production technique is fused with an artist’s eye for the transformative detail. 

Her work in film, virtual reality and installation allows us to re-appraise the surfaces we live within – and shows their possibility for change.

Smith is a graduate of Central Saint Martins. Her work on 'No More Cutting' led her to be Elle Magazine's runner up for Female Activist of the year. She has spoken at TEDx Amsterdam, TEDx Women and continues to be a keynote speaker for a variety of events which have included Dutch Digital Day, Creative Mornings and de Persgroep’s Advertisers Summit in Budapest. 

AJ Smith is now an Creative Director at BUCK where she still continues to make paper animations amongst other things!

Client collaborations have included; Adidas, Google, Heineken, Toyota, Coca Cola, 3M, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Verizon, QUIP, Instagram, Wieden & Kennedy, BBDO, Stink Studios, 180 and VICE. Smith's unusual take on projects has led her to be featured in online Vogue Italia, FastCompany, Design Boom, PSFK, Trendhunter, Creativity Online, This is Colossal, It’s Nice That. 

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Playgrounds ‘In Motion’ London - Stage Speaker for BUCK 2023

Tortoise Media - Specialist Speaker at a ThinkIn - Soho House 2019

TEDx Amsterdam 2018

De Persgroep Advertisers Summit 2017 - Budapest

Dutch Digital Day 2017

BNO Utrecht 2017

TEDx Amsterdam 2016

Creative Mornings Amsterdam 2016

Pakhuis de Zwijger  2016

Klik Animation Festival 2015

The Proud Activist London 2014

TEDx Women 2013

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

Van Gogh Museum - Museumnacht, November 4th 2017

Dutch Design Week - Eindhoven, October 19th - 29th 2017

CODA Paper Art 2017 - June 3rd - Oct 29th 2017

No More Cutting - TEDxAmsterdam at Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, November 2016

A Rose is a Rose Exhibition - Berlin Art Week, September 2016

Paper Cuts Exhibition - Stadtmuseum Aarau, Switzerland, March 2015 - March 2016

Owen Gildersleave’s Paper Cuts - Proud Gallery London, September 2014

Paper Cuts Exhibition - Pick Me Up, Somerset House London,  April 2014

Heineken’s Legendary Posters Exhibition - Stedlijk Museum Amsterdam, April 2014

Paper Cuts Exhibitions - De Waag Amsterdam, March 2014

AWARDS JURY

ADCN - Craft Jury: Cinematography, Editing, Film Direction, Production Design, Visual Effects, Young Directors. 2021

Gerety Awards Jury - 2019

ADCN - Experimental Category 2018