Dario Merlo

ProAvailable to hire

I'm a brand designer, illustrator and art director based in Sydney.

About

I’m a brand designer, illustrator and art director based in Sydney. I help businesses and growing brands look like themselves: logos and identities, labels and packaging, illustrations, and the campaigns that go with them.

A lot of my work is in food, drinks and hospitality, so I know my way around a label that has to look good on a shelf and still print properly. I like clear briefs, honest feedback and projects where the details matter.

  • 17 years' experience
  • Joined July 2025

Languages

  • ItalianFluent
  • EnglishAdvanced
  • Spanish; CastilianBeginner

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Professional Services
  • Consumer Goods
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Travel & Hospitality
  • Education
  • Retail

Work experience· 8 roles

Senior Art Director · Create CateringJun 2026 – Present · 6 mos

Looking after the creative for a group of food and hospitality brands: identities, campaigns, packaging, menus, in-store and digital, plus photo and video shoots.

Senior Art Director · KF ADV, Vicenza, ItalyOct 2023 – May 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos

Senior Art Director and project lead at an advertising agency. Campaigns across advertising, branding, OOH and digital, client presentations, and art direction of photo and video shoots. I also looked after the work of other designers in the team.

Art Director (Brand and Web Designer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer) · BrandergyJan 2022 – Dec 2023 · 2 yrs

Art direction and design for brand and web communication projects alongside close collaboration with creative and production teams.

Freelance Art Director · Sydney AustraliaJan 2022 – Dec 2023 · 2 yrs
Freelance Art Director · ItalyJan 2013 – Sep 2022 · 9 yrs 9 mos
Freelance In Video Production · ItalyJan 2011 – Dec 2019 · 9 yrs
Graphic Designer / Interior Designer · B&B srl, Treviso, ItalyJan 2006 – Dec 2007 · 2 yrs
Junior Graphic Designer · Enrico Benetta / K.None Studio Treviso, ItalyJan 2005 – Dec 2006 · 2 yrs

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts, Dramaturgy and Cinema) · University of Padua2013
Interior and Furniture Design (practical post-diploma) · Callegari Institute2006
Design and Photography (higher diploma in graphic arts, design and photography) · Michele Fanoli Art Institute2005

Certifications and awards· 10

AI Prompt Optimization2024
Creative Writing2024
Figma2024
Scent & Fragrance Awareness Workshop2025 – 2026

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