About Me

When I sat down to complete this portfolio, I struggled to categorise myself nicely as a certain type of designer. Was I a brand designer? But…I love creating more than just brands. Was I only a marketer? But I love design succeeding more than just high conversion rates. A UX designer? A motion designer? A strategist? A storyteller? What am I, and how do I fit into the ever-changing design world?

When I interrogated myself on why I loved branding, UX, and marketing, the true Russell Lee surfaced. I realised I loved creating that ‘wow’ experience for anyone – no matter the brief. Branding, UX, and marketing were just the most exciting ways to provide these experiences.

Behold: Russell Lee. Creative strategist and designer who loves crafting impactful and meaningful experiences with a people-first attitude. I love understanding the nuances of why designs work (or not). I love exploring big problems before talking about solutions, and I love creating lean but bespoke solutions after diving into the deep ends. I love reminding others of the power of design in a world that reduces designs to mere functionality because we now always seek to lower costs and increase margins at the expense of the charm which used to twinkle in everything – now buildings, systems, and even street poles publicly rot without personality.

Sound nerdy? Well, in other words: I overthink designs so you don’t have to.

Club Penguin. Star Wars. Cool spaces. PowerPoint animations. The natural awe for cool designs in young Russell grew into undertaking a visual communication degree, and having worked at a few design and marketing agencies.

Working at Kmart for many years, leading a navy squad, running a small Etsy business, church youth leading, capturing basketball moments in video edits, cold-calling venues and bars selling alcoholic bitters, and being an enthusiastic mentor at university have all grown my appreciation for how intentional care & good systems can have a large and noticeable impact on the people and world around me.

As a junior designer with well-rounded technical skills, I am now growing in scrutinising my own work, understanding how to take briefs and independently own them, and selling my work to everyone.

Want to yarn more? Please, reach out!

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“Can’t I just use my phone?” – Stephen, when showed the prototype bus sign suggesting our reliance on phones to navigate Sydney’s systems

“Can’t I just use my phone?”

“Can’t I just use my phone?”

– Stephen, when showed the prototype bus sign suggesting our reliance on phones to navigate Sydney’s systems