Early life & creative roots

I grew up in the Suffolk coastal village of Shotley, where my father owned Shotley Pier and worked as a fisherman. Much of my childhood was spent on or around the water, and my very first job, aged just 10, was winkle-picking on Shotley beach.

Creativity ran through the family. My grandfather was a talented oil painter, creating landscapes reminiscent of Constable, and I loved watching him work in his studio. In the 1970s, my uncle worked for national magazines and newspapers, which gave me an early glimpse of design as a profession. From that moment, I knew I wanted to follow a design path.

A rocky start

At school, I was set on one goal: art college and a career in graphic design. But I didn’t achieve the grades needed and was devastated to think that dream might be over. Instead, I joined youth training schemes at BHS and Debenhams.

Fortunately, a perceptive coordinator at Debenhams encouraged me to apply for a new BTEC in Design and Print Origination at Suffolk College. I was accepted on the strength of my portfolio rather than grades – one of just 15 places from dozens of applicants. That opportunity changed everything.

Breaking into design at last

In 1985, during my final year at college, I took a two-week work placement at an Ipswich advertising agency. They offered me a full-time job as a junior graphic designer, and I went on to complete my course with merit.

By 1989, I had moved to a PR company in Colchester as studio manager, where I designed logos for many projects including Colchester Leisure World and Aqua Springs spa. Remarkably, the Aqua Springs logo has barely changed in 35 years, a testament to timeless design.

Nearly three decades at Ipswich Borough Council

In 1994, I joined Ipswich Borough Council as an in-house designer- a role that was supposed to last six months but became 29 years. Alongside, I launched my freelance business, initially called Chameleon Design, later rebranded as Outflux to symbolise the flow of creative ideas.

At the council, I worked on everything from theatre brochures and tourism guides to vehicle graphics, signage, and public campaigns. Highlights include designing the DiGBY litter-picking octopus, graphics for the council’s fleet of vehicles, and Ipswich boundary signs. My proudest project was the Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk exhibition in 2019, for which I designed the accompanying book and merchandise, read more about this project here.

Taking the leap with Outflux

When redundancy came in 2023, I decided it was the right time to focus fully on Outflux. Drawing on decades of experience in print, digital, and branding, I now help businesses and organisations stand out with creative, professional design.

Every project is different, from logos and brochures to social media campaigns, exhibitions, and even film graphics. I thrive on variety and on helping businesses communicate clearly through effective, memorable design.

Looking ahead

In 2025, I’m proud to celebrate 40 years in graphic design. It’s a career that’s taken me from winkle-picking on Shotley beach to designing for councils, charities, businesses, film and even celebrities. What’s remained constant is my passion for creativity and my belief that great design can transform how people see and experience a brand.