I am a strategic creative director and design leader with 15+ years of experience bridging the gap between brand identity, functional UI and cross-platform digital storytelling. Currently leading editorial digital design at The Guardian, I build scalable design systems, direct multi-disciplinary teams and create award-winning experiences for a global audience. 
WORK HIGHLIGHTS
Design systems thinkingI architect and lead global teams to build scalable design systems. For enterprise clients like Dow, this unified visual language translated directly into measurable increases in multi-platform user engagement. From corporate website builds to award-winning mapping for community-run Route Plan Roll, I bridge the gap between brand identity and functional UI, creating a consistent visual language that elevates the customer journey at every touchpoint.




Digital experienceI combine UX thinking with high-fidelity UI design to create digital experiences that balance stakeholder requirements with the needs of the user. I’ve led the design for high-traffic global events, including the 2024 elections and the Olympics, creating bespoke navigation and new reader formats for The Guardian. 




Brand designBrand strategy and design is the unifying thread of my career, ranging from launching high-street startups to evolving 270-year-old heritage labels. Whether developing a graphic system for Truesmiths, art directing multi-channel campaigns for BPMA, or creating a brand for The Guardian’s recommendation section ‘The Filter’, I build comprehensive toolkits that cross both physical and digital, to ensure every brand tells a consistent and compelling story, as well aligning to commercial goals.



Editorial design Collaborating with global editors and journalists, I design bespoke digital experiences and interactive stories for The Guardian’s audiences in the UK, US, and Australia. I prioritise authentic process to create imagery, illustration and storytelling that has the reader’s experience at its core.





Marketing & advertisingI collaborate with strategists to develop global brand platforms and multi-channel campaigns for clients including Nike, Vodafone, and the United Nations. From art directing TV spots for CMC Markets aired in 13 countries to launching SailGP’s high-energy OOH activations across Europe, I lead multi-disciplinary teams to deliver smart, creative concepts at scale. 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
May 2025
D&AD Wooden Pencil  | The Guardian Elections
Award

June 2024
It’s Nice That

Interview

2023—present
Digital Design Director, Editorial | The Guardian
Current role

2019—2023
Associate Creative Director | Brandwidth
Digital agency

2018
Young Designer of the Year | The Drum Design Awards
Finalist

2014—2018
Senior Art Director | Teamspirit
Creative agency

2011—2014
Art Director | Bullet
Marketing agency

2007—2011
BA (Hons) Graphic & Media Design (Typo/Graphic) | First-class Honours (1st) | London College of Communication
Education
KUDOS

“If you’re looking to hire him, do it now. You won’t regret it. Not only is his eye for original design and ability to solve problems with layouts, and type and imagery off the charts, his reassuring calm and supportive character means no issue is too big, no feedback too ridiculous and no timeline too short, for him to come back with something stunning and brilliant.”
James Maxwell, ECD, Teamspirit
GET IN TOUCH

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richcousins@hey.com
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