About me

A wee intro

I’ve had a passion for creativity from a young age, so after graduating nearly 10 years ago (crikey!) with a 2:1 in Graphic Design from Leeds University I was eager to dive into the industry.

As well as being lucky enough to work in some fantastic design agencies around the world, I’ve also enjoyed the role of a freelancer. The continuation of my freelance work, coupled with the invaluable experience gained through working in a variety of studios have made me the designer I am today.

Design is what I do, who I am. I honestly can’t think of a career I would rather be doing. (Although Mick Jagger has it pretty sweet).

 

What floats my boat

I’ve always been a keen traveller and have been to many of my ‘tick list’ locations including Fiji, Tahiti, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa and Macclesfield.

Although not having an ounce of musical talent in me and trying and failing miserably with most instruments, I’m a huge music fan with eclectic tastes and get to gigs and festivals whenever I can. I do play the guitar. But not very well.

I love all sports, especially surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, climbing, mountain biking, cricket, football, basketball, table tennis and most recently Kung Fu. (Does Pro Evolution Soccer count as a sport?). I’ll pretty much play anything, so if you’re up for a game…

Photography is a passion of mine, and I have a really fun project called Leith Walkers. Anyone that knows Leith Walk, will tell you there are an abundance of colourful characters there. I’ve taken photos of some of them, in black and white.

I am a big fan of putting pen to paper, and have written for magazines such as Wavelength and regularly contribute to travel advisory website Our Man On The Ground and surf website The Inertia.

 

Where I’ve had the pleasure of working

April 2014 – Present
Blonde, Edinburgh – Senior Digital Designer
With Blonde’s acquisition of Line Digital, I’m now part of this fantastic agency.

November 2010 – April 2014
Line Digital, Edinburgh – Senior Digital Designer
This multi-award winning digital agency is at the top of the creative game, and it’s a pleasure to be part of the team.

July 2009 – July 2010
ADSWA, Perth, Western Australia – Digital Designer
This was a challenging role in a young and energetic agency, minutes from the beach which allowed me to surf before work. My main role was to head up the web design team and provide effective solutions to the clients’ briefs, as well as getting stuck into many enjoyable print jobs.

May 2007 – October 2008
LEWIS Creative Consultants, Edinburgh – Digital Designer
LEWIS is a great company made of highly talented and creative individuals. I loved my 18 months in the digital team and was involved in exciting projects with a variety of high-profile clients including Strongbow and Abbey National.

May 2006 – May 2007
Ink Tank and Associates, Edinburgh – Junior Graphic and Web Designer
I was a designer at Ink Tank for a year and I gained invaluable experience from this position. I enjoyed the diversity of working on both print and web and immersed myself in some incredibly satisfying projects.

17 – 31 March 2006
Fallon, London – Creative’s Assistant
This was a 2 week covering job assisting in a large advertising agency, famous for the ‘Bouncy Ball’ advert for Sony Bravia.

December 2005 – February 2006
DB Advertising (Now called Kayak), Glasgow – Graduate Designer
After completing a 2 week placement, I was offered a 3 month position in this Glasgow based company, which was a great place to start my design career.

 

How I started my career

Work placements are a great way for graduates to get their foot, finger or whatever else in the door. I’m currently mentoring 4th year students at The Edinburgh College of Art and assisting them with the final part of their degree. At my previous agency in Australia I was in charge of graduate recruitment and loved the opportunity to give University leavers a leg-up onto the first rung of what I remember to be a very challenging ladder. Here’s some agencies that took me in off the streets and paid me absolutely nowt, but offered an invaluable experience, way back in the day…

February 2006
Design is Central, Glasgow
This was a great placement in a superb little company.

October 2005
DB Advertising, Glasgow
I enjoyed a Junior Designer position as a result of this placement.

June 2004
Hôme Advertising and Design, Leeds
I was given the work experience after the Company Director spotted my work at the final year exhibition at Uni.

 

My studies

2001 – 2004
University of Leeds
BA (Hons) Graphic Design 2:1

1994 – 2001
Fallibroome High School Cheshire
A Level – Design and Technology (A), Business Studies, Information Technology
GCSE – 10 GCSEs grade A – C (including English and Maths)

 

Weapons of choice

Design
Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere, Flash, Indesign and Fireworks (as a last resort).

Photography
My trusty Canon 6d and a 50mm or 24-70 lens.