Hello. I’m an award winning design director with over twenty years experience. I believe that great ideas, especially when strategically led, can inspire people and help create positive change in the world today.
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My background
I spent my early years working in London, when brand identity felt more like corporate identity with a fancy price tag attached. Guidelines were the standard deliverable at the end of a project, print merchants took you on weekends away and creative directors wore turtle necks.
I’ve been extremely lucky to have met and worked with some amazing people from agencies such as Brand Union, FutureBrand, Lambie-Nairn, Moon, Re, Folk, Principals and Frost*collective.
Living in Sydney, I collaborate with fellow creatives, writers, strategists, image makers and clients alike, to create brands with purpose.
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My philosophy
The world is constantly changing. One thing that’s remained constant for me is working with like-minded people that bring a smile and a sense of play to a project, regardless of the brief. Being insight driven and strategically led, I enjoy discovering that gem of an idea that helps drive everything. Not just a logo, but the whole experience. How brands move, how they adapt in a digital environment versus a physical space, how they sound and ultimately, how they behave and make you feel.
I mentor younger creatives, (I still don’t feel that old to be honest) in the hope that I can inspire them in the same way I was inspired when I started out. Giving back and creating a positive culture in the studio is important, because work should feel like play.
This website is a curated collection of my work, both client-based and self-initiated. Each project comes with a credit to the team I worked with to bring it to life. Enjoy.
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Awards
AGDA Design Awards
UOW Playbook
Distinction / Identity Manuals – 2020
AGDA Design Awards
Pollination
Distinction / Branding / Small Business – 2020
Best Awards Finalist
Pollination
Small Brand Identity – 2020
Driven x Design Awards
Lovacado by Costa Group
Silver Award / Identity & Branding – 2019
Rebrand Awards
Northern Beaches Council
Distinction / Identity & Branding – 2018
Rebrand Awards
Barker College
Merit / Identity & Branding – 2018
AGDA Design Awards Finalist
Start Smart by Commonwealth Bank
Design Craft / Photography – 2015
Design Week Benchmark Awards
Nokia Nseries Spirit Guide
Stakeholder Communications – 2008
Design Week Benchmark Awards
Mittal Steel Brand Identity
Best In Brand Category – 2007
Design Week Awards
DataCopy Brand Identity
Selected For Publication – 2007
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Accreditations
Tractor Digital Design School
Professional Development – 2016
STW Leadership
High Performers Programme
Groupwide Training Scheme – 2014
Member of International Society
of Typographic Designers
Student Assessment Scheme
Nottingham Trent University – 2000
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References
Debbie Spence
Head of Brand, Frost*collective
debbie.spence@frostdesign.com.au
Simon Wright
Executive Creative Director, Principals
Graham Barton
Creative Director, Folk