Probably thinking about Messina.
NOT JUST A DIVERSITY HIRE.
I was born in the UK to a mother who once mistook ‘London Pride’ the beer brand for ‘London Pride’ the gay festival, and a father who, in my grandma’s eulogy, uttered the words “callously burning through our inheritance”.
All of that and more has led to a unique brain that made its way into advertising, and has thrived there for almost a decade, picking up awards, press, and folio pieces along the way.
Highlights include (but certainly not limited to):
• Making Australia’s #1 favourite ad campaign.
• Illustrating one of Melbourne’s “must-see” wall murals.
• Filming the first ever KFC ad to feature a drag queen.
• Intercepting Aussies before they sign up for cosmetic surgery.
• Publishing anti-sexism ads in beauty magazines.
• Designing chicken-themed jumpers for a made-up holiday.
• Crafting a logo that is literally out of this world.
• And much, much more…
Want to hear what else is ticking away in this senior creative’s bald little noggin?
Let’s chat.
Icebreaker tip: feel free to ask me about my circus hobby where I dangle perilously above the ground twice a week.
Some brands I’ve worked with
My experience
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR // Ogilvy, Sydney
Nov 2016 – Present
Concepting and designing across print and digital channels, my role as a Senior Art Director – previously Art Director, and Designer prior to then – has allowed me to work on a wide variety of through-the-line campaigns, involving TV ads, illustrated wall murals, out-of-homes, digital display and web design, social media assets, point-of-sale signage, editorial, printed direct-marketing, eDMs, as well as logo and lockup design. Clients thus far have been across multiple industries including food and beverage (KFC, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Primo, Uncle Tobys, Lion Craft Beer, Barista Bros), financial and business services (American Express, Actuaries Institute, ING, CPA Australia), technology (Optus, IBM, Philips), retail (Westfield), publishing (Marie Claire), healthcare (QV, Lung Foundation Australia), education (University of Queensland), and government (The Australian Space Agency, Department of Health, Department of Communities & Justice, Transport NSW, The Australian Passport Office).
TUTOR // AWARD School, Sydney
Mar 2024 – Aug 2024
Tutored 10 students on a 12-week course in creative ideation and concepting for advertising, including OOH, print, TV, radio, social media, digital marketing, direct marketing, PR, integrated campaigns and commercial creativity.
Cannes Lions School, Virtual
May – Oct 2024
Graduated with 3x Nano MBAs
Graduated from three on-demand courses in Creative Thinking, Copywriting, and Storytelling.
ADMA Creative School, Sydney
Aug 2017– Oct 2017
Graduated from a 10-week intensive course learning about idea generation, art direction, copywriting, and advertising across various channels.
DESIGNER // Spinnaker, London
Jan 2016 – Jul 2016
Working on promotional campaigns for such clients as Sony Pictures (Ghostbusters, The Angry Birds Movie, Grimsby, The Shallows), HiPP Organic baby products, Bord Bia Irish Beef and It’s A Penalty charity, my role as Designer involved collaborating with other members of the team in order to consistently ensure a high standard of work and successfully promote brands through print and digital approaches, from books and direct mail pieces to motion graphics, web design and social media content.
JUNIOR DESIGNER // Them, London
Aug 2014 – Jan 2016
Working on innovative marketing campaigns for such clients as Johnson & Johnson, Wilkinson Sword, NHS, Mitchells & Butlers, and Bupa, my responsibilities as a Junior Designer involved delivering creative solutions to clients across print and screen-based mediums.
The University of the West of England, Bristol
2011 – 2014
Awarded 2:1
Graduated a three-year program with Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Graphic Design.
The Coffee Art Project
2014
Exhibited at Old Truman Brewery, London
Published in This & That Collective Magazine
Illustration work exhibited in Brick Lane at the London Coffee Festival as part of UK Coffee Week. The work was auctioned off with proceeds going to the Project Waterfall charity organisation.
Sights and Sounds, Taiwan International Student Design Competition
2013
Awarded Honourable Mention
Exhibited at Eslite Building, Taipei
Placing in the Top 10 amongst over 3800 entries, my submission was the first entry from the University of the West of England to be awarded in the prestigious student design competition.
National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
2013
Graduated an International Exchange program in Visual Communication, Illustration and Film Music Technology Production.
University of the Creative Arts, Epsom
2011
Awarded Merit
Graduated with Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, specialising in Graphic Design and Illustration.
What they say
“Alex is a rare breed of art director.
One who truly cares about the work from start to finish. One that can bring his ideas to life with his skills “on the tools” whether that be Adobe CS or a pencil in hand. One that has the patience and persistence with clients to ensure the best work gets made. And one that listens, shares, thinks, adapts and genuinely considers the team around him.
In short, he’s a gun. An asset to any creative department as a professional and a person.”
“Things I like about Alex.
He’s passionate about his craft and is really driven to improve himself. I love that he thinks deeply about the ‘why’ of what he’s doing and always has a rationale for the choices he’s made. But, he’s not wedded to his decisions and listens carefully to feedback and then willingly explores how he can make the work better.
He’s also an excellent communicator and is brilliant at rallying people together to make complex projects come together smoothly. Beyond all that, what I like most about Alex is that he’s still got loads of potential to develop into an even better creative. It’s going to be exciting to see where he goes!”
“What a great Art Director. Alex had a great vision on the ‘Small Business. Big Goals.’ campaign.
His art direction was detailed and succinct. He had a strong vision of the objectives of the brief, while also being able to step back and give us the opportunity to do our thing when needed. The perfect balance to do the job well.”
“While being an incredible designer (both above and below the line) Alex is simultaneously a strong, confident conceptual creative who is more than capable of generating award-worthy ideas.
He is ever the consummate professional, highly amiable and outgoing. Easy to talk to and even easier to work with, Alex is a valued commodity for any workplace. I cannot recommend him enough, both professionally and personally.”
“Alex looks to the why’s behind a brief. He wants to deliver something special but he also strives to make sure it is hard-working – an approach that delivers a better performing form of creative.”
“Alex is as reliable as he is keen. He will challenge and question a brief, but only to get the best out of it.”
“Not only is Alex a fantastic designer, he is a brilliant conceptual creative and was a priceless asset to myself and my clients.”
“He’s a lovely boy. I’d hire him.”