Nice to meet you.

Hi, I’m Samantha (she/her), an award-winning designer dedicated to empowering world-changing leaders and organizations by bringing their missions to life through thoughtfully tailored branding and brand activations.

I believe the future belongs to those who lead with heart-centered, people-focused missions. With over a decade of experience, I bring creative empathy and a collaborative approach to every project, delivering innovative design solutions.

Born and raised in rural Alabama, now based in Atlanta, Georgia, I’ve traveled the world (with a particular love for Japan), fostering a deep appreciation for embracing new cultural perspectives.

Community activation and participatory design are at the heart of my approach. I believe design for social change should empower communities to shape the solutions that affect them. My process begins with listening, and each project is a chance to learn from my clients' unique experiences and initiatives. My work underscores the importance of crafting identities in service of the stories and histories originating within the communities my clients serve.

Over the past decade, I’ve honed my design approach in advertising agencies, delivering impactful creative results for globally recognized brands like Greenlight and BlackRock, alongside mission-driven non-profits.

It’s no secret that the advertising industry, dominated by a male-centric culture, often neglects humanized, trauma-informed, and empathic design. As an independent designer, I bring lived experience, curiosity, and resilience to bridge that gap, offering thoughtful, tailored solutions that align with the care my clients invest in their own missions.

I enjoy spending time with my partner, Andrew, and my fluffy cat, Theon, traveling, studying Japanese, fishing, and gaming.

TRUSTED BY

✦

TRUSTED BY ✦

"Your company's creative assets are in the best hands with Samantha"

Samantha is one of the most talented designers and animators I've had the pleasure to work with. She has an innate understanding of story and offers insightful and delightful images to convey brand attributes and features. What she creates inhabits the best of form and function. Your company's creative assets are in the best hands with Samantha, and I could not make a stronger recommendation for design projects.
Laurel Mills, Funnelfly
"Elevated our image & expanded our reach"

“The design work has not only been visually stunning, but also captures the essence of our work as a Community Foundation and the people that we serve.”
“Samantha’s blend of creativity, strategic thinking and collaborative spirit have been integral in helping us elevate our image and expand our reach.“
Ginger Jefferson, Community Foundation
"Professional, thoughtful, creative"

"Samantha is such a pleasure to work with and added so much value to our company in its early stages.”
“She is professional, thoughtful, creative and did a fantastic job keeping our brand values and priorities core to the design and strategy."
Whitney Wright, Elia Fulmen
"A breeze to work with"

“Sam was a breeze to work with. Her product was always of an exceptional standard, always responsive, always thinking of new ideas, and always delivering a great finished product.”
“I couldn't speak higher of Sam's ability to go above and beyond to deliver what is asked of her.”
Christopher Di Grazia, Flexitive
"She actively listened to the team’s priorities & perspectives & moved quickly"

“Samantha conceptualized a vibrant series of designs for our new headquarters prior to a major kickoff event. She actively listened to the team’s priorities and perspectives, and she moved quickly.
She brought many well-crafted ideas and options to the table, and she created space for the group to offer feedback and make decisions.”
Chris McCauley, Ed Farm

Awards & Recognitions

Awarded in partnership with 1504 for In Solidarity: The Beth El Civil Rights Experience at Temple Beth El in Birmingham, Alabama.
Issued by Telly Awards in 2024
View more from this project
Director
Tyler Jones, 1504
Historian
Melissa Young, UAB
Programming
Margaret Norman, Temple Beth El
Producer
Mark Slagle, 1504
Cinematographer
Bob Miller
Designer
Sam Richardson, samrich.co
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Birmingham, Alabama · Mar 2024

Awarded in partnership with 1504 for In Solidarity: The Beth El Civil Rights Experience.
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Birmingham, Alabama · Mar 2024

Awarded in partnership with 1504 for In Solidarity: The Beth El Civil Rights Experience
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Birmingham, Alabama · Mar 2024

Awarded in partnership with 1504 for In Solidarity: The Beth El Civil Rights Experience.
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Birmingham, Alabama · Mar 2024

Awarded in partnership with 1504 for In Solidarity: The Beth El Civil Rights Experience.

In Solidarity (Documentary Film)

Tyler Jones, Director
Mark Slagle, Producer
Mollie Schaefer-Thompson, Studio Manager
Bob Miller, Director of Photography
Samantha Richardson, Motion Design
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Birmingham, Alabama · Mar 2024

Awarded in partnership with 1504 for In Solidarity: The Beth El Civil Rights Experience.
"Faces of Fountain Heights" awarded Mosaic Award at local, district, and national levels.
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Jun 2018
The Mosaic Awards honors companies and individuals who display their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through creative work, advocacy, and company-wide initiatives.
Each year, individuals and companies are selected as winners for each of the nine Mosaic Award categories. Creative content must distinguish itself by amplifying underrepresented communities with depth and authenticity. A company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives are measured by cultural impact and sustainability. All winning entries must have a unique vision that gives viewers a broader understanding of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Disability communities; and that promotes systemic change through equity and inclusion.
Awarded a gold addy at local, district, and national levels.
Issued by American Advertising Federation · Jun 2018
Awarded a gold addy at local, district, and national levels.
“Faces of Fountain Heights,” Issued by American Advertising Federation · March 2018 · Birmingham, Alabama
“Milo's Fry High Dive” · Issued by American Advertising Federation · March 2018 · Birmingham, Alabama
Awarded People's Telly for social animation "Milo's Fry High Dive," for Milo's Burger Shop
Issued by Telly Awards · Jan 2017 · Birmingham, Alabama
“Make Your Mark // UAB DAAH” · Issued by American Advertising Federation · March 2017 · Birmingham, Alabama
“Know Dope” · Issued by American Advertising Federation · March 2016 · Birmingham, Alabama
“Bad Medicine,” an animated PSA in the Know Dope Heroin Prevention Campaign, Entered by UAB Digital Media
Issued by American Advertising Federation · March 2016 · Birmingham, Alabama