I'm a fully qualified graphic designer, with over 20 years professional experience in publishing, editorial, agency and in-house design. I have provided professional, effective design and branding expertise for a wide variety of clients in the UK and around the world. I'm a print and brand designer at heart, but I'll happily work on animation, web and other design specialisms when required. I'm passionate about providing high quality design, and I'm adept at working to seemingly impossible timescales. 

I'm a Cambridge School of Art alumni, graduating in 2002 with First Class (hons) degree in Graphic Design. I have a strong grounding in design history and theory, and bring that knowledge and experience to all my work. 

I'm married to Gary, also a graphic designer (Head of Design and Brand at Cambridge University Press & Assessment); and we have two children. We live in St Neots which has a thriving creative community; with a creative professional network (Neotists) and regular arts and cultural events; which gives me the chance to be part of a wider creative community. I'm originally from the New Forest area, near Southampton, and when time allows, I love heading back there to soak up the sea views and beauty of the New Forest with friends and family. 

I was a founding member of Cambridge Agenda magazine, designing the look of the magazine from the ground up and working in the fast-paced, demanding role of sole designer at the magazine.

I then worked at a local design agency, BBO Creative, in a small team of four, working for established brands such as Remington and Ford and small start-up firms requiring branding expertise.

In 2004 I joined Cambridge Assessment English’s small in-house design team – where I produced marketing materials in multiple languages for English language teaching and assessment. I worked with teams in the UK and around the world, to produce designs customised to local markets, taking into account cultural considerations in each market. When I joined the organisation it had a handful of product leaflets and handbooks and no formal visual brand beyond the logo. I was fortunate to play a key role in the first formal visual brand, and subsequent rebrands, working closely with top branding agencies to create brand guidelines and implement the brand across a wide range of materials. The role gave me valuable insight into how in-house marketing and design teams operate in large multi-national companies – knowledge which helps me work effectively as a freelancer. It also instilled in me a love of working in the educational sector, which I continued to pursue by working with top universities such as University of Cambridge, UCL and University of Cape Town when I started may own business.

In 2012 I started trading as an independent graphic designer under the name of Department of Shapes & Colours. I loved the variety of clients and projects that working independently gave me. I had a diverse client base including top universities, assessment organisations, bio-tech organisations, charities and more. 

In 2022, I decided the time was right for a new challenge, and started working for MASS Consultants Ltd as their Senior Graphic Designer. As the sole designer at the established technology firm I immediately set to work implementing a new visual brand and updating the companies internal and external visual communications to reflect the exciting nature of their business. Working in a small Comms team I enjoy getting involved in all aspects of the companies communications and braning and working with teams across the 300 strong organisation.

EXPERIENCED IN:

Graphic design | Artworking | Typography | Layout | Brochures | Programmes | Leaflets | Flyers | Mailers | Posters | Editorial Design | Annual Reports | Visual branding | Logos | Diagrams | Infographics | Large format and vehicle graphics | Exhibition/Display Graphics | Templates | Presentations | Typesetting | Website design | Advertising | Newsletters | E-Newsletters | Animated web adverts | Diagrams | Book design | Form design | Prospectus design | Stationery | Invitations | Certificates | Promotional materials | Accessible design | and many more!

I have experience of designing and typesetting in many languages and am confident creating designs that can be translated and typeset into other languages.

My approach to design is analytical rather than purely aesthetic. Good design involves creative problem solving – how best to communicate explicit and implicit messages of product and brand to the intended audiences. Designs should be beautiful and engaging while communicating your message effectively.
For complex text heavy documents great care needs to be taken to ensure the information is legible and readable and presented in an engaging, easy to navigate, layout. I consider how the reader will engage with the page and consider how to visually lead them into your text, while trying to ensure the casual skim reader and in-depth reader both understand the core messages of the text.
I understand that it is vital to effectively communicate the brand and core values on every piece of material; and I take the time to understand the business, brand and audience.  I'm a helpful, friendly and responsive member of a team; equally happy to do the little tasks as the big projects.

I like roles where I can make a real difference, be that working for a good cause or helping a business I believe in develop an effective brand that helps it thrive. I enjoy a challenge, and I like to be part of a team, with variety and a sense of purpose. I'm always interested to hear about opportunities for remote positions or positions within commutable distance of PE19.