Predominantly, yes. Whilst I have a broad skillset there are certain specific services that might be needed that I don’t provide. In this instance I often advise on options for clients. Any recommendations are always based on direct experience of working with specialist companies or individuals, most of which I know well. I will never recommended for referral fees, and do not outsource clients work to pocket a mark up! Whilst I can help manage recommended supplier work, if needed, it usually means the supplier billing the client direct. This also supports a strong personal belief that the creator should be the main beneficiary of any work carried out.

Yes…

Copywriting: Whilst I often have significant input into the structure of copy/content for both print and digital media, I don’t write the words… you don’t want that! I have good ties with copywriters for specific industries and can support internal teams and individuals with how to structure and write copy for specific media.

Powerpoint presentations

Word templates

E-commerce website development

Specific SEO campaigns, Adwords etc

I have extensive experience working in both the Financial and Lifescience/Biotech sectors.

Whilst this is clearly an advantage if you do work in these sectors, a great deal of what I provide is technical and creative expertise that is transferable across industries. Over the years I have also worked in a broad range of other industries, both direct to client, and as a freelancer for Design Agencies.

Please ask if you are interested in any specific industry experience.

My aim has never been to build an agency, despite the opportunities. I like being ‘in the work’ and working direct with clients, I have no interest in building a design empire! I do however provide similar services to your classic design or creative agency.

The benefits of this set up:

• Cost effective: I don’t have big overheads such as offices, staff… or multiple background directors leasing posh cars to factor into costs! I am ultimately what is sat at a desk as an FTE or Freelance designer in a lot of agencies, only speaking and working direct with the client.
• No upsell: You won’t get hard sale or upsell of further services that inevitably come with a lot of agencies that are understandably trying to increase revenue and grow.
• Consistency: Whilst many agencies have a dedicated project managers and a consistent ‘face’ for clients, designers and developers tend to come and go, or get frequently moved around onto other client projects. This can result in a lack of consistency in design and development. I usually build long standing relationships with clients and know their brand, products and services inside out.
• Speed: Whilst more staff should technically translate to a quicker turnaround, chains of command, over management and mis-communication often results in slow agency responses and final output. Whilst I do have processes and ways of working, working direct and having close, less formal relationships with clients and individuals within companies increases speed.

The drawbacks (being honest!):

• Scalability: Larger agencies can scale up quickly and reduce timeframes with a larger workforce, hiring freelancers (such as myself!) when required. I am limited by my own time. Many of my clients work with multiple individuals and companies in the design/digital space that bring undoubted added value. I’m more than happy (and usually enjoy!) working alongside them.
• Project size: Ultimately, some projects are too big for me as an individual to take on. I am always open about this, don’t bite off more than I can chew and am happy to recommend or work alongside other more suitable options.
• SPOF “Single point of failure”: I’ve been called this a few times by risk assessment folk! Ultimately, there is a small risk that as an individual, rather than a wider team, I can’t fulfil a certain task due to unforeseen circumstances. Not over promising and planning is key here. I pride myself on being reliable… and its amazing how few sick days self-employed people have!

Yes. Whilst a few visuals are included on this page, please ask if you would like to see specific examples of skillsets or past projects.

Yes. My aim is always to help a business grow. As such I am open to equity stake opportunities with the right people and company.

Project are set fees with a very specific deliverable outlined at the start. Contracts are retainer agreements at an hourly rate, for a set number months, with varied and changeable deliverables depending on the clients needs and inevitable evolving priorities.

I’m a firm believer that emails are a productivity killer! Particularly when working on multiple tasks and projects with a client.

Contract work usually involves a canban style Trello board to manage jobs from briefing through to completion. This is kept streamlined and not overly complicated. A weekly teams call is usually put in place to run through the board to prioritise and provide important updates. Smaller, more frequent task specific updates are provided through Trello. Meetings are kept to a minimum and only organised when essential – the aim is to maximise any retained hours with actual design work.

I can also integrate into existing ways of working or project management tools you may have in place. But again, to maximise productively and design time, stakeholder input should ideally be collated and direction agreed priorly.