Russell Smith
Specialism 1
Visual Brand Identities
I craft visual routes to define the look, feel, and attitude of a brand. Whether remixing an existing identity or creating something entirely new, I set the visual direction for key brand assets to establish a cohesive and fully rationalised visual language. The goal is to create a "north star" — a guiding vision that inspires design teams and informs every touchpoint.
Specialism 2
Design and
Brand Systems
I engineer adaptable brand systems that connect diverse business units while respecting market- and touchpoint-specific nuances. I build design philosophies and guidelines that fuel cross-unit collaboration without sacrificing individuality. The result is a system where each unit operates independently yet remains unmistakably part of the brand family — whether through a monolithic structure or a "house of brands" approach.
Specialism 3
User Interface Design
I design and deliver beautiful, functional, and responsive digital experiences — always UX-focused and often component-driven — anchored in modern design systems that ensure consistency across platforms. My work spans from internal tool creation to exploratory digital concepts. I collaborate deeply across disciplines to bring innovative business solutions to life.
Specialism 4
Leadership Philosophy
My leadership blends hands-on creative execution with a focus on growing team sensibilities and technical depth. I lead by example—mentoring teams to deliver thoughtful, high-impact work rooted in analysis, intuition, and curiosity. I believe in fostering a culture of humour, pride in craft, and creative freedom—where uniqueness is celebrated and “weirdness” becomes a strength. I champion adaptability, collaboration, and unconventional thinking to drive truly original outcomes.
Specialism 5
Multidisciplinary Expertise
Beyond Brand and UI design, I’ve explored—through both hobby and commercial need—Illustration, Videography, Motion Graphics, Logo Design, 3D, and Photography. These skills enable me to communicate fluently across disciplines, strengthening collaboration and expanding creative capabilities—both my own and those of the teams I work with—to meet the evolving demands of business growth.
EF Education First - Creative Director
2023 - Present
EF Education First - Art Director
2020 - 2023
EF Education First - Senior Digital Designer
2018 - 2020
Deloitte Digital - Senior Creative Designer
2015 - 2018
Deloitte Digital - Creative Designer
2013 - 2015
POSSIBLE - Freelance Digital Designer
2013 - 2013
Territory Studio - Freelance Digital Designer
2012 - 2013
Foviance - User Experience Design Consultant
2010 - 2012
The Insight Exchange - Freelance User Interface Designer
2009 - 2010
Samsung Design Europe - Interaction Designer
2009 - 2009
Sabotage Design - Freelance Interaction Designer
2008 - 2008
Court Three - Graphic Designer
2006 - 2007
Education
First Class, Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Design for Interaction
2006 - 2009. Ravensbourne, Chislehurst, England
Distinction, BTEC National Diploma, Multimedia
2004 - 2006. North West Kent, Dartford, England