Devon & Cornwall Housing were several companies in one. They appeared to have a lack of focus. To move the organisation forward, they needed to revitalise their brand!

An identity reflecting their story, where homes were central to the brand – along with complete range of collaterals were produced including guidelines, advertising, merchandise, signage, sales and brand awareness materials. Tenants were reconnected with a more user friendly website and an engaging monthly email newsletter as well as a printed style magazine.

Photography by Matt Austin.

Work completed at AB Design.

A selection of logos, marques and symbols created for a wide spectrum of companies and individuals from the past decade.

Here is a brief selection of work taken from the past few years. TV ads to t-shirts – showcasing skills across various channels with different mediums, that encompass a variety of expertise and knowledge.

I'm hoping to update this section with some exciting bits and bobs on a regular basis.

I’ve worked with South West Water for a few years (at AB Design and previously at other agencies) and have completed a number of fantastic projects. From customer newsletters, annual and environmental reports, illustration, online applications, various direct mail pieces, extensive art direction and assorted exhibition projects.

Portrait photography by Tim Pestridge.

ALL work shown completed at AB Design.

Zoeftig is a market-leading international supplier and manufacturer of ground-breaking passenger terminal seating systems. And they required a new website!

The solution features large dynamic images and strong colours – all fully-responsive for tablets and mobile devices. The website included clear call to actions that would encourage the user to delve deeper and explore the many solutions the company could fulfil.

'Fusion.’ The name of this property development site lent itself perfectly to a more vivid and dynamic feel. This formed the basis for the brand look – and I created designs with a fresh and very vibrant palette. The theme was then rolled out across marketing materials, a lettings brochure, advertising, signage, and numerous social media channels.

Work completed at AB Design.

Always had a keen interest in film making – and have had a considerable number of opportunities to employ my creative skills within this wonderful medium. I've worked on a number of short films, music videos, theatre productions and TV adverts – usually in the capacity of Art Director or Production Designer.

The two examples opposite clearly demonstrate what I've been up to. They're also not a bad watch!

Gregory Distribution is an family run business, based in the South West that operates throughout the UK and into Europe. Following on from a successful rebrand a new website was required that had to reinforce Gregory’s point of difference in the crowded marketplace as the chosen provider of high quality distribution solutions.

The site is responsive and built on a custom-built CMS providing Gregory's with the flexibility and ease of use they required. Art direction over three days helped to compliment a website which is bright, engaging, modern and very different from their competitors. All providing a successful user journey which is easy to use and manage.

Portrait photography by Tim Pestridge.

Work completed at AB Design.

Regular Annual Reports for Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). Giving support by providing creative direction and developing their brand, tone of voice through various publications.

Work completed at AB Design.

Numerous projects have been completed for Lloyds Banking Group whilst at Proteus, many of these have been internal comms – which have spanned various channels, primarily web and magazine work for the different sectors within the organisation. ‘Agile Workforce’ and the ‘Graduate Training’ programmes – plus the Lloyds Bank intranet are worth a mention. Due to client confidentiality some of this work can not be displayed online.

Portrait photography by Paul Groom.

Work completed at Proteus.

The creation of an identity for photographer and friend Allun Marshall. Subsequent production of stationery and various portfolio sleeves/bellybands that were simply machined varnished onto an uncoated black stock and website followed.

After art directing a few music videos and short films I had a go at directing. Well, why not! I've now done a fair few, ranging wildly in budget! No global chart toppers but collaborations with some interesting and varied artists.

I have popped a couple on this page... have a watch.

Working with the Visit Cornwall team, following on from a successful pitch to redesign their literature – a new limited edition brochure was produced to help further publicise this fantastic part of the UK as a leading holiday destination.

Here is a brief selection of work taken from the past few years. Showcasing skills across various channels with different mediums – that encompass a variety of expertise and knowledge.

I'm hoping to update this section with some exciting bits and bobs on a regular basis.

Castle Brake Holiday Park wanted an original and more energetic brand proposition for their business. Pushing it in a brave new direction the end result is colourful and dynamic. The website is bold and bright with some clever responsive solutions to highlight their products. 

Signage, livery and apparel, along with various posters, leaflets and the holiday brochure were all designed to fit in with this brave new look.

Getting up close and personal to some creepy little critters has always been appealing to kids, This campaign for Paignton Zoo employs a catchy strapline and some great pics to help get the message across.

Where ever I've ended up I seem to get involved in creating work for Housing Associations! Here is a selection, new and old – from annual reports, brochures, newsletters and identities.

Clients within this sector have included Hexagon Housing Association, Community Housing Group, Springboard Housing Association, ASRA, Richmond-upon-Thames Churches Housing Trust, Wandle Housing Group, Servite Houses, DCH (see individual case study), Metropolitan Housing Trust, Paddington Churches Housing Association, The Peabody Trust, London & Quadrant and the National Housing Federation.

There maybe more, but these are the ones I remember! 

I have worked on some great projects over the years and just wanted to put a brief selection on show here. Some have won awards and many plaudits, others simply ended up just how I envisaged them! Which is not always the case...

Will try to update with some other stuff soon!

1. Tiger Beer packaging

2. Buena Vista Social Club CD packaging and promo work

3. Into the Red 'coffee table' book

Praise for INTO THE RED:

"Superb. Stylish, spectacular, insightful, entertaining. Too many motoring books are a waste of trees, but this is special." Mick Walsh, editor in chief, Classic & Sports Car.

"The car book that all we lovers of machinery have been waiting for: a perfect balance between all that is romantic, practical and downright dangerous about motor racing". Robbie Coltrane.

"Great beasts being thrashed to within microns of their cylinder heads. Great book, Nick! Can I come next time?" Damon Hill.

4. Pension Service rebrand

A variety of corporate projects, literature, advertising and promotional items, both internal and external for independent financial consultants Chase de Vere. 

Work completed at Proteus.

I helped transform Art Camp (creative based short breaks for the under 14's) into a quirky, fun brand. Working on everything from their logo and branding, t-shirts and promotional items, the website design and social media platforms.

To improve the awareness of Bath Rugby club across it’s employees, a suite of new communications and a fully integrated brand alignment campaign with key messages was produced.

Redefining the brand and its values with new guidelines to support this new strategy was presented, although the project was never fully realised. Bit of a shame...

TasteTech are a provider of specific food flavourings! The various markets they serve are unique. In order to reach them a bespoke website was developed along with specific integrated campaigns that have included press advertising, direct mail, promotional emails and packaging for product samples. Some tastier than others!

Work completed at Proteus.

Literature and posters for the Agatha Christie Festival. Taking a found fingerprint and adding specific elements I created an illustration that was used on various collaterals and marketing materials.

NHS SBS provides back office services to NHS trusts such as finance, human resources, employment services and procurement.

Coming soon.

As creatives we spend so much time producing concepts and ideas for projects and pitches that only a small percentage ever see the final client presentation, let alone the light of day. 

I’ve pulled out a few ideas that I’m gutted didn’t go anywhere. The best work doesn’t necessarily get chosen. That’s what I think!

1. Virgin Money ‘Those little extras’ advertising campaign

2. Stanley Gibbons Direct mail ideas for investment opportunities

3. Peninsula Medical School Overarching new brand look and feel

Coming soon.

Worked on various publications for GWR, one customer facing and the other a monthly employee newsletter, which was distributed to over 6000 colleagues. The work involved content strategy, design, print production and distribution. Printed channels as opposed to digital channels were preferred as it guaranteed every colleague received a copy to read in their own time. Which lead to a greater engagement with key business messages.

Work completed at Proteus.