I have always loved and had a passion for all things graphic design...
It started with Disney as a kid and wanting to be an animator, I loved drawing and craft. It only grew whilst at work experience at a design and brand agency. This is what I wanted to do.
Whether cool branding, interactive websites, or well-crafted experiences, I believed that I could create positive change and lasting impact. It is why I entered into this field in the first place. However, had you asked me back when I started out, it would have been all because of David Carson and colourful Macs (showing my age).
Starting with work experience at an agency I went on to study Communication Design at University, and within my first roles as a junior, working on both print and web. I progressed towards digital when I moved from agency life to in-house digital team at Liz Earle Beauty Co., where I worked in several roles, both as a digital and creative designer. My experience spanned digital marketing (mainly email) for various campaigns reaching 500K+, along with asset creation, creating full take over campaigns for in-store and online and support online activation.
These days, I split my time between my role at Ellen MacArthur Foundation (full time) - where I'm part of the digital team working to accelerate the circular economy. Working cross-functional, collaborating on all manor of projects and delivery. Here is where I branched out into experience design across our digital products (website, in-house operations, community platform, network dashboard, digital marketing and event registration to name a few).
On the side, I work as a freelancer where I am able to pick and choose the projects I work on. Most recently a web portal called Connected Wight, connecting nine sectors of Isle of Wight business and lifestyle - from Create to Innovate to Respect. I pulled together a team (brand and a low-code developer) to work on brand and build the product whilst I run the project, and getting stuck into UI design was a great way to explore other territories and tapped into what I enjoy most.
Over the years (and perhaps some maturity) I have found the best solutions come from genuine human connection, collaboration and curiosity.
The personal side
I'm 41, dad to two incredible boys who keep me humble, curious (and shattered). We live on the Isle of Wight where I love to run the coastal paths (it's my moving meditation), practice yoga (not as much as I should), and geek out over Superman with the kids. There's something about the symbol of hope that resonates - maybe now more than ever. A beacon of possibility.
A health scare in 2019 (I had a cardiac arrest at 34 years old) was a wake-up call - not just about mortality, but about living with intention. It led me deeper into wellbeing practices, stoic philosophy, and understanding that our work can serve something bigger than ourselves and of course… have fun whilst doing it.
In 2022, I had the privilege of running the London Marathon for Cardiac Risk in the Young, raising over £2,000 towards cardiac research and screening in young adults, there is still so much more I want to do to give back to those that gave me a second chance.
The experience taught me a lot about the person I am and strive to be. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I am a people person, and working with people just gives me that energy.
Practicing gratitude daily with my family, putting one foot in front of the other and trusting the process.
