ABOUT ME

It’s quite straightforward really: I’m just a bloke, who has always loved to design stuff, making a living out of a passion. With a career starting in traditional animation, I’ve designed, drawn, and created all my life.

From an early age, I was intrigued by design. I was a constant doodler and loved typesetting words on a huge, seemingly never-ending roll of paper that my Dad gave me. His father, my Grandad, was a printer by trade and a watercolour artist. Even though I don’t remember him (he died when I was only 18 months old), stories told by my family and the work he left behind always fascinated me. I’d sit at his old desk and draw using his art materials and browse through his reference and sketchbooks.

I was always encouraged by my family - one uncle was an exhibition designer and the other an advertising creative. My Dad was a keen amateur photographer and I would use his Praktica 35mm SLR camera back in the good old days of film, so I was immersed in creativity from the get-go.

I had an excellent Art teacher - Mr Williams - who would encourage both expression and technical ability, and above all allowed you to be yourself. Then, Art college enabled me to grow upon that sense of identity, and moving away from home for the first time opened up new ideas and opportunities. I always pushed myself and did above and beyond the basic requirements of the coursework, and utilised the resources to the max.

I got my first break at King Rollo Films animation studio by landing a job as an Inbetweener. That in turn led to a long-standing working relationship with Mark Mason as his Assistant Animator where I fulfilled my childhood dream of “making cartoons for the telly”. We made children’s tv shows for the BBC, ITV and CH4 as well as commercial work over many years and I’m very proud and grateful to have been a part of that. Mark taught me so much and I thank him sincerely.

Hand-in-hand with animation, graphic design has been a fundamental foundation that I have built upon more recently. Creating work ranging from brand identity design and websites, to bespoke print design and illustration, I continue to enjoy helping people deliver their visual message.

I love the creative challenge and as a solo freelancer I’m proud to offer a personal touch. I don’t claim to compete with bigger companies - let’s be honest, it’s just me! But this one-to-one, friendly approach ensures attention to detail and a timely management of projects - there’s no “middle man”. I get the job done.

I have passion, drive, integrity and focus, yet I equally embrace challenge and change. I’m constantly open to learning and improving my skills as I continue to grow my portfolio.

By way of a balance away from design, I support a friend who has a learning disability and autism. I help them to access activities such as cycling, hiking, and the gym, which benefits both of us equally. It also acts as a natural break to help free up the creative juices. Often, stepping back from a design for a while helps me focus.

It’s important to me that this website reflects me and my personality. That’s why I’ve chosen to share this story. I want to be true to myself and acknowledge and respect my upbringing, my education, my qualifications, and my experience. I always want to honour that and, in turn, I hope that will appeal and show my conscientious approach to work. My aim is to make a difference by adding value and vision, and to nurture working relationships that endure.