After graduating from the celebrated Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a fine arts degree, I began my creative career in Atlanta as an illustrator and designer. Over the next decade, I served as part of several high-performing design teams, illustrating products that generated both buzz and revenue for national retailers, including Target, Walmart, HomeGoods, Michaels, HSN, and QVC.

In 2016, at a pivotal moment in my personal life, I embraced a new challenge. Leaving both Atlanta and the paper goods industry, I ventured into e-commerce, determined to apply my studio expertise to lead impactful brand transformations. Within five years, I had built a dynamic in-house creative team that successfully launched over half a dozen brands and supported consistent 20% year-over-year growth. After the inevitable acquisition by private equity, I was eager to try it all again; this time with the added benefit of everything I’d just learned.

Today, I serve as the Director of Brand Strategy and Expression for a Vermont-based national retailer that owns several online D2C brands. In February 2023, we launched two vision-driven rebrands. In October 2024, we were honored by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) with their annual Inspiration and Innovation Award.

• Freelance clients have included Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, Stand Ups and Start Ups and Wild Heaven Brewery.

• During the 2008 holiday season the Target Corporation selected one of my decorative gift wraps as the foundation for the season’s marketing campaign. The illustration was used on everything from Target's collectible Christmas Coke bottles to their in-store signage, shopping bags and fundraising Christmas music CD.

• For a peek at my day to day professional life, check out my Instagram stories and reels. You can find me @cullen_creative.