About me
I feel very lucky to be in a career I love and this drives my ambition to be a great designer.
My expertise is in design for print and branding having worked consistently in these areas since 2007. I’ve also gained experience of screen-based design through projects including interactive publications and front-end web design. Clients have come in many shapes and sizes, from start-ups to multinational companies and top?ranking universities.
I’ve often worked as part of a small team which has given me experience of every stage of the design process, from pitching for work right through to artworking and producing deliverables. Working in both in-house and agency environments has given me a rounded view of working for clients and the real impact design can have on their business.
In my spare time I further my own knowledge with on-going training and personal projects. At the moment I’m developing my web and programming skills and creating an interactive iPad book.
Projects
- Penny Lane AccountantsPenny Lane is an accountancy and bookkeeping service based in Surrey. They offer a range of services for SMEs; from tax returns and accounting to payroll and reporting while breaking free from the dusty, serious image often associated with accountants. Our research showed that many accountants in the area had a formal, corporate approach to their identity and marketing communications. While they sold their expertise and skills well, there was little warmth or personality in their brands. Our p
- Eric Gill eBookEric Gill is a complex personality. On the one hand a celebrated typographer, designer, artist and sculpter. On the other a deeply religious man who committed adultery, incest and beastiality. This interactive publication explores both sides of this controversial character. Inspired by Fiona McCarthy's article on Gill in The Guardian, I wanted to create an interactive publication that celebrated Gill's work but also questioned our understanding of it in light of Gill's private life. I kept to a minimal colour palette of red and black to create a strong aesthetic that worked well with Gill's woodcuts. I wanted to entwine McCarthy's words with examples of Gill's work so an interactive format worked well as a medium. As you scroll through the pages elements are uncovered, symbolising the hidden, often contradictory, aspects of Gill's character. The publication is typeset in two of Gill's own typefaces, Joanna Italic and Gill Sans Ultra Bold. Wildly different in appearance and character, they highlight the extremes of Gill's personality. For authenticity I took inspiration from Gill's book, An Essay on Typography, which uses ampersands throughout and advocates the use of italic as a primary font rather than for emphasis or contrast.
- Designer CardsDesigners are notoriously difficult to buy for. Getting them a card they'll like is a near impossible task. We're never satisfied, always opinionated and like a good scoff at anything that's been 'poorly' designed. The solution? A range of cards for the designer in your life designed by another designer. Job done.
- Social Justice BrochureThe University of York has a world-class reputation for research, including its interdisciplinary work in the area of social justice. We were asked to create a brochure to highlight the University's key research projects working with partners such as UNICEF and the World Bank. Covering important issues such as equality, human rights and the effects of war, we wanted the cover to confront the viewer. The imagery, colours and type were chosen to have impact and give an indication of the serious subject matter being tackled. To stop the spreads becoming too rigid and structured, we added torn edges and layered up the elements to give a grittier feel to the publication, reflecting the nature of the subjects being discussed. Although it was essential to adhere to the University's visual identity, the nature of the content required a more hard-hitting aesthetic. We introduced rough textures such as concrete and supplemented the University's corporate font with an industrial stencil typeface. Imagery played an important part in the overall impact of the design. We worked with the Press Association to source images taken by photo journalists in the field, giving the brochure credibility and authenticity. The brochure was very well received by the University and was sent out to key stakeholders. An exhibition is also being planned which will use the design and imagery from the brochure.
- Blue RibbonBlue Ribbon is a health and social care provider specialising in care at home. They operate a growing franchise with branches across the country. The Managing Director, Noel, came to us for a complete identity overhaul to help promote the franchise and build the business. Our research showed that Blue Ribbon's main competitors had built up coherent and successful brands although their identities were often sterile and corporate. To promote the home care aspect of Blue Ribbon's service it was important to keep the identity warm, approachable and friendly. At the same it it had to be solid and dependable to garner trust from potential customers and franchisees. We spent a lot of time sourcing positive imagery that focused on the person being cared for, rather than the carer. To complement the corporate blue we introduced warmer shades to the colour palette and used texture and curves to make the communications more approachable and friendly. We took a different approach for the material aimed at franchisees. These communications were more corporate in their appearance, keeping to a stricter colour palette and focusing on the business side of the company. As well as all the printed communications we created the front-end design for Blue Ribbon's website. This had two parts; a customer focused site and a corporate site for franchisees. Both had to work together visually but also appeal to the different audiences. We achieved this by building an underlying grid with the flexibility to change colours and typestyles as required. Since completion of the rebrand, the identity has been rolled out and taken up by new franchises across the country.
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Skills
- Print Design
- Art Direction
- Design
- Illustrator
- Indesign
- Photoshop
Education
Graphic Design BA (hons
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