Work

About Joe Russell

Work

About Joe Russell

Work

About Joe Russell

Work

I'm a product designer who solves problems
with a level of craft
that people can feel

5:57

GamePocket

64

iOS Design

iOS Build

Now Beta testing

Your physical game collection, in your pocket. Rotate your phone to rotate your games. Now in Beta testing.

This is just an example

All figures are for demonstration purposes only. This is not linked to any of your finances in any way. That's obvious, right?

This is not the real finished product. It's just an interaction prototype.

Add an income

Social security

This is an insurance scheme providing benefits for pensioners and those who are unemployed or disabled.

Annuity

Sometimes known as a "guaranteed income". A fixed sum of money paid each year, for the rest of your life. Adding this will reduce your Flexible income.

Your retirement plan

Flexible income

$1,740 – $2,690

monthly

Social security

$920

monthly

Annuity

$1,142

monthly

5:57

Smart Retire

Design

Mobile

Web

An end-to-end retirement product for the US. You can tap around this mini prototype.

Adjust the numbers below and see how your retirement could change.

Continue

These figures are an estimate to help you plan for your future. They're based on current annuity rates.

5:57

Retirement calculator

Pension

Tools

Inbox

Profile

Retirement Calculator

Design

Mobile

Web

A pension tool that increased the average contributions by 21%.

Thrive

Design

Mobile

Web

An all-in-one financial wellbeing app.

Craft you can feel

I design products that solve problems, with a level of craft that users can feel. When a product feels right, the business impact is amplified.

Craft you can feel

I design products that solve problems, with a level of craft that users can feel. When a product feels right, the business impact is amplified.

Idea → product

I thrive in transforming ideas and concepts into fully realised apps, websites and services. I simplify complex problems and uncover solutions that end up feeling natural.

Idea → product

I thrive in transforming ideas and concepts into fully realised apps, websites and services. I simplify complex problems and uncover solutions that end up feeling natural.

A.I. native

I've effectively worked as a Design Engineer, using AI to prototype as well as commit code that's shipped to users. I've designed and shipped user-facing AI features and interfaces.

A.I. native

I've effectively worked as a Design Engineer, using AI to prototype as well as commit code that's shipped to users. I've designed and shipped user-facing AI features and interfaces.

End-to-end design

From research, workshopping and ideation, to user experience, visual and interaction design. My high-fidelity prototypes mean effective user testing and seamless developer collaboration, from start to finish.

End-to-end design

Business success, happy users

I deliver intuitive and engaging user experiences that meet business goals and work for real people.

Business success, happy users

I deliver intuitive and engaging user experiences that meet business goals and work for real people.

12+ years experience

I have over a decade's experience working in cross functional teams and independently. I've successfully led projects, consulted and mentored others, in tech, marketing and agencies.

12+ years experience

I have over a decade's experience working in cross functional teams and independently. I've successfully led projects, consulted and mentored others, in tech, marketing and agencies.

Recommendations

Joe is one of the best designers I’ve worked with. He’s played a pivotal role in the team’s success... He’s a pleasure to work with.
Harry Brignull
The 'Dark patterns' guy, ex Smart Pension
Joe has such a rich tool kit to draw from when it comes to product design, one that is not limited to what the user sees, but also what they feel.
That desire to make the user experience intuitive and memorable at the same time was always a pleasure to watch.
Sam Barton
CTO, ex Blackfinch, Smart Pension
Joe was a great colleague and a pleasure to work with.
He often contributed beyond a design role, bringing a product owner’s perspective to discussions and decisions.
His strong understanding of pensions and financial wellbeing was particularly valuable when navigating complex product challenges.
Nick Neves
Delivery Director, Blackfinch
Joe was great to partner with. He translates complex requirements into clean, intuitive designs with ease and approaches every iteration with an open, collaborative mindset. I would highly recommend him.
Danielle Frazer-Holland
Senior Product & Operations Manager, Blackfinch
Joe looks beyond visual design, asks the right questions and challenges assumptions, always with the user in mind. He really shines when he has the opportunity to shape product decisions.
He’s also just really easy to work with. He’s approachable, thoughtful in how he gives and receives feedback, and takes changing priorities in his stride.
Jess Chapman
Software Engineer, Blackfinch
Always a joy to work with Joe. He's a massive asset to any product design team.
Liberty-Belle Howard
Head of Content Design, TPXimpact
Joe is a real pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend him to any team.
Piotr Rogala
Senior Engineer, Blackfinch

Joe is one of the best designers I’ve worked with. He’s played a pivotal role in the team’s success... He’s a pleasure to work with.
Harry Brignull
The 'Dark patterns' guy, ex Smart Pension
Joe has such a rich tool kit to draw from when it comes to product design, one that is not limited to what the user sees, but also what they feel.
That desire to make the user experience intuitive and memorable at the same time was always a pleasure to watch.
Sam Barton
CTO, ex Blackfinch, Smart Pension
Joe was a great colleague and a pleasure to work with.
He often contributed beyond a design role, bringing a product owner’s perspective to discussions and decisions.
His strong understanding of pensions and financial wellbeing was particularly valuable when navigating complex product challenges.
Nick Neves
Delivery Director, Blackfinch
Joe was great to partner with. He translates complex requirements into clean, intuitive designs with ease and approaches every iteration with an open, collaborative mindset. I would highly recommend him.
Danielle Frazer-Holland
Senior Product & Operations Manager, Blackfinch
Joe looks beyond visual design, asks the right questions and challenges assumptions, always with the user in mind. He really shines when he has the opportunity to shape product decisions.
He’s also just really easy to work with. He’s approachable, thoughtful in how he gives and receives feedback, and takes changing priorities in his stride.
Jess Chapman
Software Engineer, Blackfinch
Always a joy to work with Joe. He's a massive asset to any product design team.
Liberty-Belle Howard
Head of Content Design, TPXimpact
Joe is a real pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend him to any team.
Piotr Rogala
Senior Engineer, Blackfinch

Joe is one of the best designers I’ve worked with. He’s played a pivotal role in the team’s success... He’s a pleasure to work with.

Harry Brignull

The 'Dark patterns' guy, ex Smart Pension

Joe has such a rich tool kit to draw from when it comes to product design, one that is not limited to what the user sees, but also what they feel.

That desire to make the user experience intuitive and memorable at the same time was always a pleasure to watch.

Sam Barton

CTO, ex Blackfinch, Smart Pension

Joe looks beyond the design itself, asks the right questions and challenges assumptions, always with the user in mind. He really shines when he has the opportunity to shape product decisions.

He’s also just really easy to work with. He’s approachable, thoughtful in how he gives and receives feedback, and takes changing priorities in his stride.

Jess Chapman

Software Engineer, Blackfinch

Joe is a real pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend him to any team.

Piotr Rogala

Senior Engineer, Blackfinch

Joe was a great colleague and a pleasure to work with.

He often contributed beyond a design role, bringing a product owner’s perspective to discussions and decisions.

His strong understanding of pensions and financial wellbeing was particularly valuable when navigating complex product challenges.

Nick Neves

Delivery Director, Blackfinch

Joe was great to partner with. He translates complex requirements into clean, intuitive designs with ease and approaches every iteration with an open, collaborative mindset. I would highly recommend him.

Danielle Frazer-Holland

Senior Product & Operations Manager, Blackfinch

Always a joy to work with Joe. He's a massive asset to any product design team.

Liberty-Belle Howard

Head of Content Design, TPXimpact