About

I’m Craig Jamieson.

I am an executive creative leader with over 25 years of experience helping organisations turn ideas into clear and compelling experiences across brand, content, product and service.

What do I do

I lead, direct and advise on creative work that solves problems and drives growth. From building design systems to launching digital products and integrated campaigns, I help teams bring strategy and creativity together in practical ways.

Availability

Based in the UK, I am open to permanent executive leadership roles and strategic engagements with organisations committed to creative excellence.

What is my approach

I believe the best work happens when everything connects. People, processes and purpose. My style is collaborative and hands-on, combining system thinking with creative energy. I create environments where teams feel confident to explore, iterate and deliver their best.

Where have I worked

My career includes agencies, in-house teams, consultancies and startups. I have worked across finance, technology, healthcare, entertainment, property, retail and more. From global brands to early-stage ventures, in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America, I have learned how to adapt creative leadership to many cultures and challenges.

What do I value

Clarity over complexity
Purpose-led creativity
Rigorous thinking and craft
Collaboration across disciplines
Outcomes that make a real difference

What makes my experience different

I do not sit in a single lane. I move between strategy and delivery, big ideas and detailed execution. My background means I can help shape vision at the highest level and guide teams to bring it to life across every touchpoint. I am as comfortable with a whiteboard as I am reviewing design systems, campaign concepts or product roadmaps.

How can I help you

Leading teams through change and growth
Aligning vision and execution across disciplines
Building creative operations that scale
Developing strategies that drive results
Coaching leaders and creatives to grow into their potential

Expertise

Experience Design

Brand, Product, Content, and Service

→ Brand Strategy and Identity
→ Content Design and Storytelling
→ Product Design and Systems Thinking
→ Service Design

I help organisations design cohesive experiences that connect every touchpoint. From shaping brand expression and content strategy to crafting intuitive products and services, I focus on creating systems that deliver value for both the business and the customer.

Design Leadership

Culture and Capability

→ Team Development and Mentoring
→ Design Operations and Governance
→ Recruitment and Onboarding
→ Cross-functional Collaboration

I have led and scaled multidisciplinary design teams, defining processes and standards that drive consistent, high-quality work. My leadership approach balances creative ambition with operational clarity, enabling teams to work confidently and deliver at pace.

Innovation and Direction

Vision to Delivery

→ Concept Development
→ Interaction Design
→ Prototyping and Validation
→ Motion and Narrative

I provide creative and design direction that transforms ideas into distinctive, effective experiences. By combining strategic thinking with a strong sense of craft and taste, I help teams explore, prototype, and refine solutions that set a higher standard and deliver lasting impact.

Strategic Advisory

Partnership and Impact

→ Executive Stakeholder Engagement
→ Design Maturity Assessment
→ Experience Transformation
→ Advisory and Coaching

I work alongside leadership teams to align design with business strategy. From advising on experience transformation to guiding capability building, I help organisations unlock the full value of design as a strategic asset.

Work Experience

CR—G, Remote

Advisor

2014 – Present
Advise founders and senior teams on using design to elevate experiences and scale creative capability.

Advise founders, executives, and senior teams on using design to elevate experiences, strengthen organisations, and build creative capability at scale. Bridge leadership and execution to drive consistent, valuable outcomes across all touchpoints.

MOHARA, United Kingdom

Chief Design Officer

2021 – 2024
Led the design function across startups and global brands, developing the in-house team and raising creative standards.

Oversaw design function across diverse ventures, from early-stage startups to global brands. Developed in-house design team and elevated creative execution across product, branding and experiential work.

Nedbank, South Africa

Executive Creative Director

2016 – 2018
Built Nedbank’s internal design team and positioned design as a driver of customer experience and transformation.

Developed and grew Nedbank’s internal design team and capability, leading internal teams, external agencies, consultancies and freelancers across UX, UI, customer experience and service design, animation, illustration and UX writing. Embedded design thinking into the organisation, raised customer experience standards, and positioned design as a key part of the bank’s transformation strategy.

Standard Bank, South Africa

Creative Director

2015 – 2016
Defined creative standards and launched South Africa’s first 3D gamified banking app for children.

Defined creative vision and contributed to the operational and design standards of the bank. Delivered the Kidz Banking app, South Africa’s first 3D animated, gamified banking app for children, creating a new digital pathway for financial education through play.

J Walter Thompson, Hong Kong

Creative Director

2014 – 2015
Managed international creatives to deliver digital and traditional campaigns with consistent regional execution.

Managed a small team of international creatives, delivering digital and traditional advertising campaigns for major brands. Strengthened regional execution by supporting consistent design and content strategy across markets.

Back River FC, South Africa

Digital Champion

2013 – 2014
Modernised agency practices and embedded digital thinking into creative and client delivery.

Embedded digital thinking into agency workflows, client strategies and campaign execution. Modernised internal creative practices and repositioned the agency to win and deliver more digitally focused work.

M&C Saatchi Abel, South Africa

National Creative Director

2012 – 2013
Directed national digital creative efforts and integrated digital strategy into campaign structures.

Oversaw digital creative direction across Johannesburg and Cape Town offices, developing digital strategy, elevating creative standards and integrating digital thinking across traditional campaign structures.

Digital Monarchy, South Africa

Partner & Executive Creative Director

2011 – 2012
Co-founded a boutique digital studio focused on creative strategy and production across multiple sectors.

Co-founded and ran a boutique digital studio delivering creative strategy, digital production and design services. Worked across business development, creative leadership and client delivery for brands in entertainment, retail and corporate sectors.

Ogilvy, South Africa

Creative Director

2009 – 2011
Expanded Ogilvy’s digital capability, led integrated campaigns, and mentored upcoming talent.

Drove the expansion of Ogilvy Johannesburg’s digital capability at a time of critical industry change, helping reposition the agency to meet the growing demand for integrated, digitally-led solutions. Led digital creative teams across major accounts, embedding digital thinking across departments and campaigns while mentoring the next generation of talent through the agency’s Digital Marketing Academy. Delivered large-scale, integrated campaigns for some of South Africa’s most recognised brands, working closely with clients, strategists and production partners to align creativity with business outcomes.

Digiguru, Remote

Designer & Creative Director

2001 – 2009
Ran an independent digital studio producing design, development, and storytelling work across global clients.

Built and ran an independent digital studio delivering creative direction, design and development services to agencies, entertainment brands and direct clients across South Africa, the United States and Europe. Developed a wide range of digital experiences during a period of rapid internet innovation, spanning branding, animation, Flash development, interactive storytelling and early web platforms. Worked across industries including music, fashion, gaming, health, automotive and retail, developing lasting partnerships with global brands and leading creative agencies.

Freelance

Designer

1998 – 2001
Provided design and animation services while building foundational experience in digital and interactive work.

Provided freelance digital and graphic design services across a range of clients and industries. Built a solid foundation in digital design, animation, and interactive storytelling.