About me

Em Sykes is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator from Lancashire, England. Her visual language utilises striking texture and bold colours to produce stunning illustrations and graphic design. Specialised work includes branding, craft beer packaging, and editorial work. Em has previously worked as in-house designer at an independent cinema, and turned the brand around into an alluring, welcoming cultural hub for all. Working within the arts and cinema business has also helped her to see links in the creative industry as a whole, and a huge interest in engaging young audiences looking into demographic and marketing to further the impact of her work as a commercial designer, blurring the lines between Illustration and Graphic Design.

QuestionsProjectsExperienceTeam

• Does anyone else suffer with Imposter Syndrome, particularly even more since lockdown etc? Any tips to help with this?

Projects

• 4

  Christ on a bike!Anyone else use this saying? - an exclamation upon the sight of a particular religious individual riding a bicycle, bike, motorcycle, chopper or other similar means of transport. The exclamation generally indicates surprise or shock and additionally (depending on the speaker's religious views and attitude towards bikes) happiness, hope, uncertainty, frustration or anger. Hand-lettered typography I've been working on over the weekend! #typography #graphicdesigner #digitalillustration #illustra
• 3

  Space CatsA little glimpse into my imagination!
• 1

  Doc Martens x Tattoo FlashMixing my love for traditional tattoos with my love for Doc Martens. Lots of bold texture and thick lines here! Hope you like.
• 1

  Nora Vasconcellos Animation IISecond hand drawn, rotoscoped animation of Nora Vasconcellos, with music added
• 1

  Drift King Race Team Identity and BrandingBranding identity and concept for a drifting team and garage. Car livery, apparel, logo design, and identity wear.
• The Northern Botanist BrandingBrand Identity completed for exotic plant merchant, The Northern Botanist. Including branding, logo design, website design and website content.

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Work history

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Graphic DesignerTone Agency
May 2019United KingdomFull Time
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IllustratorThe Palace Cinema
Jan 2018Preston, United KingdomFreelance
Rebranding an independent cinema for a re-opening, providing consultation on interior design, public image, and providing logo design, social media management, and merchandise as well as promotional design.

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Skills

• Illustration
• Digital Illustration
• Graphic Design
• Animation
• Digital Design
• Branding
• Editorial Illustration
• Drawing
• Abobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop

Education

First Class Honours, BA (Hons) IllustrationManchester Metropolitan University
Sep 2015 - Jul 2018Manchester, United Kingdom
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BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design DDMThe Manchester College
Sep 2013 - Jun 2015Manchester, United Kingdom
Graduated with DDM.