Working with PaRtNerS

I’m an independent digital design director who specialises in building brands that work in both digital and physical environments. I love getting up to my elbows in interesting projects for awesome clients. I love the kind of design problems that make my brain fizz and my fingers tingle. The projects that have me waking up at 5am with an idea that’s clawed its way out of my subconscious.

I also love the power of collective working and bringing together teams of freelancers for jobs that need more than just a graphic design solution.

In my 20 years as a designer I’ve worked in-house, for agencies, at agencies and as an independent. These days I work with brands directly on their identity to make sure they have something that works across physical, digital and social media. If it needs bringing to life with a bit of movement, I make sure it moves. If it needs some audio to move to, I’ll bring sound into the mix. And I’ll make sure it all works together right across your customer touchpoints including managing your website build and launch from start to finish. 

When you get right down to it, it’s all about finding creative ways to solve problems. 

I’m also really up for levelling the playing field within the graphic design industry, so to do my bit I run the Yorkshire chapter of Kerning the Gap, a network aimed at addressing the gender imbalance in design leadership within the design industry.

Looking for a good website that’s built properly? As a full-stack web developer, I take pride in delivering pixel-perfect sites that look slick and function seamlessly. I’ve been building and managing websites for clients for over 10 years, including everything from simple and effective brochure sites to complex e-commerce solutions, web apps, interactive games and more! 

I’m passionate about UX and UI and love to incorporate subtle animation and visual effects to engage customers, ensure a smooth user journey, and improve the overall experience throughout the site. I have a keen interest in creating web-based animations and love to work closely with motion designers to add movement and create an extra level of interest.

When I’m not coding away you’ll find me dabbling in one of my many hobbies, from brewing beer to learning how to DJ!

I’m a freelance Design Director working out of my home studio in Leeds. Originally from Toronto, Canada, I completed an Honours BA in Literature & Philosophy at the University of Toronto as well as studying design & advertising at Ontario College of Art & Design.

I cut my teeth in Toronto ad agencies before moving to Bermuda to take on the role of Creative Director at a design agency, working on everything from radio ads to designing a photojournalistic magazine. Holding dual Canadian/British citizenship, I then settled in the UK, working on branding & packaging for Yorkshire Tea (Taylors of Harrogate) & Bettys, Asda, Coop, Kellogg’s, M&S, North Bar before setting up my own freelance design studio specialising in branding & packaging for the FMCG sector. I have extensive experience art directing & project managing photoshoots – everything from crash test dummies (yes it feels strange dressing them), cats & dogs in a vet’s office and lots and lots of food (and tea). I can turn my hand to copywriting & proofreading as well as (naive) illustration.

Particularly interested in sustainable design & helping to build innovative challenger brands from the ground up.

Out of hours you can find me enthusiastically researching our next travel destination, trying to win auctions on eBay or playing tag with our Border Collie named Otto.

 Independent design director/specialist in retail FMCG brand and own brand packaging.

An enthusiastic creative with industry experience in both London and Leeds. During this time I have been fortunate enough to have worked with some prestigious brands and clients within some big agencies. Clients have included Asda, Aldi, Carlsberg, Cooplands, Nestlé, Premier Foods, Sainsbury’s, Schwartz, Thwaites and Unilever to name a few.

I am passionate about the full design process, seeing briefs through from initial workshops and strategy all the way to final artwork (with some big ideas inbetween).

Having started my career in London, I’ve settled back home in Yorkshire where I enjoy being outside with the family or gardening (ideally on my own). 

I’m a seasoned graphic designer with a passion that’s been thriving for over two decades. With a deep-rooted love for the world of art and design, I’ve honed my craft over the years to bring creativity to life. My journey has been an incredible ride, fueled by the endless possibilities that design offers. When I’m not immersed in the world of pixels and vectors, you’ll find me riding the waves or running/swimming, especially indulging in my love for surfing. But that’s not where my creative pursuits end – I also channel my artistic energy onto canvas as a dedicated painter. My story is one of continuous inspiration, woven through the threads of design, art, and a genuine connection with creativity.

I help people and businesses to take their products and propositions from the early stages through to development. I’ve been doing this successfully for over 20 years and I have the expertise to develop the potential of some really exciting brands.

Through careful analysis of an organisation and brand’s strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, unique offerings and their future direction, I make informed decisions about how to create a strategy that will align an organisation’s history and their story with their future growth.

I also offer expertise in the area of repositioning and advising on the development of a brand that is struggling to remain competitive in the marketplace.

The core areas of expertise I offer are in: Consumer Insight | Opportunity Identification | Concept Development | Proposition Development | Market Analysis | Design Thinking | Behavioural Psychology | Gamification For Qualitative Market Research 

| Professional Leadership | Strategic Planning | Stakeholder Management and Engagement

Social Marketing Expert and trainer

Specialising in digital marketing and social media for businesses, I have helped thousands of businesses to establish themselves as an online presence and increase brand awareness. Working as both a social manager, consultant and trainer I am super passionate about my work and ensuring businesses are getting the most out of being online.

I have worked with the likes of Google, Santander, Unilever and global branding agencies.

I am also the world’s first Digital Garage trainer for Google when the project first started back in 2015. Today, I continue as a trainer ‘on tour’ delivering digital skills training across the UK with Upskill Digital