About | Molly Gillespie

Hi!

My name is Molly, I’m a Massachusetts-based graphic designer and art director with a proven track record of creating high-quality, engaging and artful content for a variety of digital and print brands. I pride myself on my highly refined eye for design elements, including typography, composition, balance and color, as well as my collaborative spirit, expert problem solving skills and commitment to excellence. As a lifelong artist, I am passionate about pushing my own creativity and challenging myself to go above and beyond expectations to spread joy, foster connection and create memorable experiences.

When I'm not working, I can be found reading, spending time with my family and snuggling my mini Bernedoodle, Gabby.

I appreciate you taking the time to visit my portfolio. If you have any questions about my experience, are interested in working together (or just want to say hi!), please feel free to send me an email or use the contact form. I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Thanks!

Professional Experience

2020 - Current

Associate Art Director
America's Test Kitchen

Since 2020, I have had the pleasure of working for America’s

Test Kitchen, first as a graphic designer and then as an associate art director.

As Associate Art Director, I am responsible for all creative aspects of 2 cookbooks a year, including their overall aesthetic, their layout and their photography. I lead 10 in-studio photo shoots per quarter, working closely with our photography team, food stylists and test cooks to guarantee that we have the best visual representations of the recipes possible, and regularly present my concepts, sketches and final designs to both internal and external stakeholders, such as our Chief Creative Officer, our Editorial Director and the sales team from Penguin Random House.

Having grown up watching ATK on PBS (and eating ATK recipes), it’s been a privilege helping modernize and grow the iconic brand while also honoring its roots as the go-to resource for home chefs across the country.

Favorite Projects

Collaborating with illustrator Sarah Wisbey on ATK's first ever cookbook with an illustrative cover, The New Vegetarian
Getting to creative direct The Complete Guide for Teen Chefs from the ground up
Solving the massive puzzle of a layout that was Kitchen Gear, ATK's first non-food focused hard cover

Favorite ATK Recipes

Chickpea Noodle Soup
Brown Sugar Cookies
Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

2018 - 2020

Associate Designer
Page Street Publishing

I started my professional career as a design assistant at Page Street Publishing in historic Salem, Massachusetts. Within my first year, I was promoted to Associate Designer and was responsible for executing the design plan for 10+ titles per publishing season, creating exterior designs and interior layouts for cookbooks, lifestyle books and young adult titles as well as the corresponding marketing materials, including promotional postcards, book plates and social media graphics.

Throughout this process, I partnered and collaborated directly with the authors, many of whom were established content creators, online personalities and influencers, to ensure all deliverables were aligned with their existing brand and creative vision.

Highlights

Collaborating with illustrator Nabigal-Nayagam Haider Ali on the cover for The Henna Wars, one of Time's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time
Getting to work with Chef Michael Silverstein (MasterChef Seasons 10 &12) on his debut cookbook, New Keto Cooking
Working alongside two incredibly talented individuals, who became my lifelong collaborators (and IRL besties), Ashley Tenn and Kylie Alexander

Education

2015 - 2018

BFA, Graphic Design & Technology
Emmanuel College

Although I’ve created art for as long as I can remember, my journey as a designer officially began at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA, where I studied Graphic Design & Technology.

During my final semester, I was honored to receive the art department’s Outstanding Achievement in Design Award for my senior thesis, an app designed to help young people manage their mental health. I also received the Excellence at Emmanuel College Award for my academic achievement and contributions to the Emmanuel community as an orientation leader and student tutor.