Keeping things nimble →
Career Summary
With nearly fifteen years of experience in design and art direction, Russell has worked across leading creative and advertising agencies, collaborative in-house teams, and exclusive digital contracts. His background spans brand, fashion, tech, and retail, having led creative and teams on major Australian retail accounts and high-growth SaaS companies. To date, his work has touched close to 50 brands across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
In recent years, Russell has shifted focus toward digital customer experiences—applying UX thinking, personalisation, and mobile-first design to elevate 1:1 marketing and end-to-end journey design.
This evolution has seen him deliver personalised digital experiences to millions of customers across ANZ, generating significant revenue uplift for ASX-listed retail giants.
Career Highlights
In-house Designer for NASDAQ listed Biofuels pioneer, LanzaTech (2009-2013).
Design Lead on the former Holden Australia Creative and Retail brand accounts (2014-2017).
SNR Art Director/Creative Lead of the Jay Jays creative account (2017-2021).
Design Studio Lead @ Employment Hero (2022).
Digital Design Lead @ Target Australia (2022-2024) 1:1 Marketing (Growth Personalisation, CRM Lifecycle & Loyalty).
Lead Digital Designer @ Super Retail Group (2024). Personalisation. BCF, rebel, Supercheap Auto.
Over $1.5million in sales from an eCommerce side hustle.
An end-to-end creative consultant that delivers commercial projects for brands
Russell Neill is a seasoned Creative and Design Lead with a sharp eye for craft and over a decade of experience spanning brand, eCommerce, fashion, and retail.
He works end-to-end with clients of all sizes to bring strategically led brands, campaigns, and creative projects to life in clever, impactful ways.
His practice lives at the intersection of contemporary design, storytelling, and creative advertising, with specialisation across Brand, Digital, Content, Campaigns, and Retail.
Russell regularly partners with a trusted network of creatives—including writers, strategists, developers, photographers, producers, and more—on a project-by-project basis.
Delivering exclusive contract work through two trusted recruiters since 2017
Qualifications
Diploma: Fashion Art Direction
Institution: Mastered, London.
Year: 2017
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major: Graphic Design
Institution: Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design, Auckland.
Year: 2012
Diploma: Architecture
Institution: Unitec, Auckland.
Year: 2007
Courses & Certifications
— Strategy-Based Brand Identity Design
— Brand Positioning Strategy for Creatives
— Working with Children Check
— Disability Awareness
— Certificate of Communications
— First Aid: Levels 1–4
— First Aid: Critical Incident Management
– Assorted Memorisely UX Courses
Make it stand out ✺
A Campaign Design & Art Direction Specialist
What sets Russell apart is his unique ability to combine his expertise in art direction, design and content creation with an unwavering enthusiasm for collaboration, resulting in impactful connections between audiences and brands.
