Carly Ann Sarno

I attribute my success to nearly a decade of dedication, continuous learning, and embracing every opportunity to grow within the sports design industry. Throughout my eight to nine years in the field—and especially during my four years at FOX Sports—I have consistently challenged myself to take on new responsibilities, which ultimately led to my promotion to Senior Associate Designer.

I am incredibly proud of contributing to projects that have reached audiences around the world, including multiple FIFA World Cups, where I led the design for our streaming platform and helped transition our 24-hour live programming from Twitter to YouTube. One of my greatest professional achievements was earning a Sports Emmy Award as a Graphics Producer for our Digital Innovation partnership with COSM, which showcased college football in an immersive sports viewing experience. These experiences have strengthened my creative leadership and reinforced my passion for producing innovative, high-quality visual storytelling.

One of the greatest influences on my career has been the guidance of exceptional mentors. During my time studying Graphic Design at California State University, Northridge, I had the privilege of learning from Professor Nick Longo, whose mentorship significantly shaped my creative development and professional mindset.

As I began my career in sports design, my first managers at the Los Angeles Chargers, Haley Lane and Ina Jung, played an instrumental role in helping me transition into the industry. Their mentorship, encouragement, and willingness to invest in my growth taught me the importance of learning from experienced professionals, remaining open to feedback, and continuously striving to improve my craft.

My advice is to work hard, pursue your goals with passion, and always give your best effort—but remember that your career should not come at the expense of your well-being. Success is important, but so is making time for yourself, your hobbies, and the people who matter most.

For me, maintaining balance through activities like hiking, paddle boarding, playing soccer, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with friends and family allows me to recharge creatively and mentally. Taking care of yourself is essential because it enables you to bring your best ideas, energy, and perspective to your work.

I see tremendous opportunity in continuing to grow within my new role and embracing the exciting challenges that come with it. The digital media landscape is constantly evolving, creating new ways to tell stories, engage audiences, and innovate across sports broadcasting and social media.

My experience working on Emmy Award-winning projects, major international sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, and large-scale digital productions has prepared me to take on even greater creative challenges. I look forward to continuing to push creative boundaries while contributing to the future of digital sports media and broadcast design.

One of my strongest values is making a meaningful impact by sharing knowledge and helping others grow. I believe that success becomes even more rewarding when you use your experience to support and inspire the next generation of creative professionals.

I am passionate about giving back to the design community through organizations such as Glyphic LA and CropCon, as well as volunteering each year at California State University, Northridge by conducting portfolio reviews and guest lectures. It is incredibly rewarding to help students prepare for their careers and encourage them to pursue opportunities beyond their comfort zones. Watching today's students embrace emerging technologies like AI and seeing how far the industry has evolved reminds me of the importance of continuous learning, mentorship, and creating opportunities that make a lasting difference.