Carly Faye Smith
Carly Faye Smith is an international creative strategist and project manager specializing in experiential environments and human-centered design. Based in Seattle, she is the founder and creative director of Studio Copia, a design studio focused on developing immersive, meaningful experiences across the built environment. With a strong foundation in interior architecture, product design, and user experience, Carly approaches each project with a deep curiosity and a commitment to uncovering the human needs at the core of every design challenge. Her work reflects a balance of creativity and functionality, delivering solutions that are both visually compelling and operationally seamless.
With nearly two decades of experience, Carly has led diverse projects spanning custom lighting, interior environments, and large-scale installations. Prior to launching Studio Copia, she served as Hotel Interior Superintendent for Seabourn Cruise Line, where she managed multimillion-dollar projects across a global fleet of luxury vessels. Her role included overseeing new-build ships in Italy, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring brand standards through design, construction, and operational execution. Earlier in her career, she worked as a project manager at LightArt, where she directed complex custom fabrication projects from concept through installation, collaborating closely with architects, designers, and clients nationwide.
Carly’s work is deeply rooted in collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. She integrates her background in design with an interest in neuroscience and sensory experience to create environments that enhance well-being and connection. In addition to her studio work, she operates Carlycopia, a creative branch dedicated to playful, artistic explorations including children’s spaces and custom art pieces. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Carly remains actively engaged in the global design community through organizations like the World Experience Organization, and she is passionate about fostering creativity, empowering others, and shaping the future of experiential design.
• Nordic X - Human Sciences and the Future of Architecture and Lighting Design
• Yestermorrow 2015 Tiny Home Design + Build
• LEED Green Associate
• Project Management
• Project Management for Administrators
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago - BFA
• SAIC Distinguish Scholars Merit Scholarship Recipient
• World Experience Organization
• Center for Conscious Design
• Future Arts
• Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
• Seattle Architecture Foundation
• Tulafest - Zoetic Events LLC
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my past successes to integrity, diligence, being detail-oriented, and deeply caring about the people I'm collaborating with or serving. I also think delivering unique creative solutions has been key to my achievements.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most impactful lesson I’ve learned came from what I now see as the worst advice I received—being told to focus on just one thing. While specialization works for some, it didn’t align with how I naturally think. I thrive on making connections across different interests, and limiting that felt restrictive.
I’ve since realized that being a generalist is a strength. It allows me to approach problems creatively and develop unique, well-rounded solutions. Instead of forcing myself into a narrow path, I’ve learned to embrace how my mind works and use it to my advantage.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Through mentoring and experience, I’ve seen how often women feel expected to be the “glue”—handling coordination and support roles that are valuable but often overlooked. It’s important to recognize the impact of that work and confidently advocate for your worth, especially given ongoing wage gaps.
Build strong networks, find allies, and be clear about your value. Most importantly, don’t play small—pursue what you want with confidence and don’t shrink yourself to fit expectations.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field today is the growing fragmentation into niche areas like sustainability, health, and technology, which can limit collaboration and holistic thinking, especially after the communication gaps that emerged post-COVID. At the same time, much of what is being built is driven by speed and cost rather than quality or long-term impact, reflecting a short-term, profit-focused mindset. The opportunity lies in shifting back to human-centered, long-term approaches—prioritizing collaboration, thoughtful design, and outcomes that genuinely serve people rather than immediate gains.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are accountability, transparency, and alignment. My previous experience reinforced how essential it is to take ownership, communicate openly, and ensure everyone is aligned from the start to achieve meaningful results. Honesty is a key part of transparency, and above all, I believe in treating others with kindness and respect in every interaction.
Locations
Studio Copia
Seattle, WA 98122