Describing myself as a CREATIVE may seem a little vague, but it isn't easy to put me in a box.
Calling me a 'designer' doesn't really describe what I do, because I do a lot more than produce graphic communication. I create user experiences and develop service designs and interfaces to support them, craft brand identities and guidelines, write copy and art direct advertising, originate illustrations, produce presentations and animate interactive communication ... and I'm also something of an artist.
In addition to developing ideas from concept to production, I manage projects and teams, providing communication strategies and campaign planning. I'm an exponent of Agile Principles for designing and developing customer focused user experiences, with a preference for management product development utilising the iterative approach of Scrum methodology.
Fundamentally, I'm passionate about what I do; tenaciously investigating requirements, testing concepts and engaging with stakeholders, to ensure that a project delivers suitable and successful products that satisfy the scope and exceed the expectations of the end customer.
Whatever the problem, if you need solutions to a creative challenge, I'm your man.
WHAT I DO
There aren't many things I can't do. This should give you a good idea of what I do best.
Digital Design
We are connected by worldwide digital communication; computers, tablets and smart-phones.
Digital design and the web are vital to the success and growth of your business.
Branding
Your brand's job is delivering a single clear message that is understood, shared and remembered.
You only get one chance at a first impression, so we have to get it right.
Print Design
Print reaches the senses that digital cannot, creating a tactile bond with a permanent object.
If your designs inspire and impress, they will be treasured and displayed.
Illustration
Old adages are repeated simply because they're true, "a picture is worth a thousand words".
Replace wordy text with bespoke graphic punch and reinforce your key message.
My Work
Here are some recent samples from my portfolio.
CADLOW Enclosures
Website Design & Marketing
FyeBridge
Branding & Website Design
SONY Europe
Website Design & Training Portals
Appreciating Classics
Branding & Website Design
AMIS
Print Design
Accentis
Branding & Website Design
My Experience
I’ve been earning my keep as a creative for over seventeen years.
1997 – 1998
Graphics Coordinator
Wycombe District Council
My first foray into graphic design, working in a support role for the PR and Planning departments, producing presentations, reports and newsletters.
1998 – 1999
Freelance Graphic Designer
Central London
Freelancing as a designer and artworker for advertising agencies, design agencies and some corporate firms.
1999 – 2000
Graphic Designer
Marakon Associates
Working in-house at the London offices of this global management consultancy; producing reports, presentations, marketing and recruitment materials.
2000 – 2001
PDip Art Direction & Copywriting
West Herts College (Watford)
Back to school, to study the art of advertising on the country's premier post graduate course.
2001 – 2007
Freelance Creative
Central London
Creative placements with advertising and design agencies, such as; Mother, Saatchi & Saatchi, WTCS, GA Design and Finex.
Long term corporate placements with Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Mercer.
Developed a portfolio of private clients in the City, predominantly AIM listed natural resources companies and their advisers.
2007 – 2015
Freelance Creative
Suffolk
Consultant to Sony Europe; developing corporate user experiences and interfaces.
Communications Officer for Frontier Mining Ltd; designing and developing the company website, producing investor presentations, company reports and providing investor relations support.
Established a local client-base of small businesses and continue to work with larger London-based multinational clients; most recently designing and developing new report templates across nine brands for a luxury hotel group.
2015 – 2016
Creative & Communications Lead
Lloyds Banking Group
A senior role on the Customer Journey Transformation Programme, I provided creative expertise for the development of a new digital onboarding 'journey' for Commercial Banking.
The programme was designed to deliver radically streamlined processes and market leading customer experiences, developed using Agile Principles and implemented with the iterative sprint cycles of Scrum.
My tenure as a direct-hire contractor finished when the project moved into the delivery phase, following roll-out of the service plan and the third release of code from pilot testing onto the live LBG estate.
I live in a little old cottage in Redgrave, a rural village in Suffolk, with my lovely wife Emma, our beautiful daughter Poppy (aged 4) and our ferocious guard beasts Buster and Charlie. It's a bit of a commute to get back into London, but it's worth the effort to achieve a good work-life balance.
As you know I like to create, so enjoy building and fixing things, anything that allows me to work with my hands. I usually have a few projects on the go; I'm currently transforming a heap of scrap timber into a two storey playhouse/treehouse for my daughter and sculpting a radiator mascot to be cast and chromed for a vintage car.
I'm a big fan of outdoor pursuits; long country walks, cycling, camping, off‑roading, sailing and motorcycles — although the latter seemed to have dropped from my to‑do list since becoming a husband and parent. My father's passion for vintage cars has rubbed-off on me, although I'm also partial to classic sports cars and Land Rovers.
I started playing squash last year, recently purchased a kayak to dip back into watersports and I also try to squeeze in a bit of painting when I have the opportunity.
I was FORTY in 2015 ... ( how did that happen ... ? ! ).
Contact Me
If you'd like to have a chat about your project, drop me a line.
My current project; refreshing the brand, designing and developing a new site, producing marketing materials and creating a newsletter.
The existing company website was a little out-of-date and needed an upgrade. The design and layout hadn't aged well, the build was static (rather than responsive) and falling foul of obsolete HTML semantics, resulting in poor search engine visibility.
CADLOW have outlined a two stage plan for the site; initially transferring the existing content into a new design and layout, followed by development of a database and ecommerce facility. When the new site is up and running, we'll then move on to producing marketing materials and a monthly product newsletter.
Date: April 2015
Client: CADLOW Enclosures
Category: Website Design & Marketing
FyeBridge
The company directors originally requested a simple holding page, but were open to some radical thinking.
When they first approached me, the company was called John Richmond Concepts. After spending some time getting to know the people and exploring the company history, it became clear that they didn't really like the company name or feel particularly attached to the logo ... cue a rebrand!
The creative opportunities were curtailed by a limited budget, but further to creating the new company name, logo, brand elements and stationery, I also produced a desktop-optimised website - much more engaging than a standalone holding page.
[Please note that another designer has since taken-over the website and made a big mess of it.]
Date: July 2014
Client: FyeBridge Limited
Category: Web Design & Branding
SONY Europe
I've worked with SONY for the last six years, developing intranet sites and training portals with teams at their UK head office.
I was recruited for my first project at Sony to work in partnership with a team of design and development contractors and the Human Resources department, providing project management and production skills to create the MyWorkstyle SharePoint site.
The success of the HR site generated other projects that I tackled independently, including intranet sites for the Strategy Office, Information Risk Management and End User Services, in addition to collaborating with SharePoint developers in India to create a database driven Internal Net Promoter Score interface for the Customer F1rst initiative.
Personal Information Management (PIM)
Working closely with the Information Risk Management team and Information Systems Europe, I developed a new seven stage process for managing projects associated with personal information and incident guidelines that mirror the seven stages.
I based the designs of the PIM brand and training portal on a transport concept to create the personal information journey, utilising graphic cues from the London Underground map and elements from the TFL website.
The PIM logo, with a repeated dot on the ‘i’, reinforces the seven stages of both the data management process and the incident guidelines, using perspective to represent windows of a train carriage in motion.
BREACH
Breach is unique learning experience developed to encourage staff to actively address information security issues. Roll play immerses trainees in the plot of ‘a sinister tale of corporate espionage’ to highlight the immediate and very real threat posed by exposure of company and personal data.
The aim was to create an engaging and informative training experience that spread virally throughout Sony, rather than
by compulsory participation. The key driver in the brief was to change staff behaviour toward information security and encourage widespread awareness and pro-activity.
Delivered in five chapters, with a total run-time of approximately ninety minutes, Breach identifies Sony security protocols and explores the issues related to social media, mobile devices, system failures and cloud computing.
I wrote the story and all of the content, designed and built the interface and produced all of the graphics; including animated comic frames, ebook and web pages, and a mock email inbox.
Date: July 2014
Client: SONY Europe
Category: Website Design & Training
Appreciating Classics
These guys restore and sell modern classic cars, so it was a pleasure to develop their site and create a brand identity with petrol-head appeal.
The AC site was created in partnership with a local WordPress developer; I designed the layout and graphics (wire-frame), the user experience (UX) and wrote the copy - then handed it to the developer to build a responsive WordPress theme and bespoke dashboard.
The dashboard provides the company with complete control of site content via online administration, with simple and intuitive modules and plugins. They can add a new car to the showroom at the click of a button, or move a car to the 'sold' section with another click.
Creating the company logo was a little challenging; a design that wouldn't look out of place on a car from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. I'm pleased with the result of our hard work, gorgeous cars housed on a crisp site with some subtle creative touches.
The Association for Music in International Schools are a long-standing client, I design and produce their annual brochure and quarterly magazine.
AMIS are a charitable company, organising music festivals at International Schools around the world.
It's a genuine pleasure to work with people providing life changing opportunities for children and young adults.
I've designed, illustrated, artworked, edited and produced their annual brochure and quarterly magazine since 2011, recently giving the latter a significant 'makeover' from what was a fairly traditional newsletter.
Date: February 2015
Client: Association for Music in International Schools
Category: Print Design
Accentis
Accentis Chartered Accountants came to me for brand design and a responsive CMS website.
I created the Accentis 'Liver bird' logo several years ago. The client returned to refresh the brand and build an online presence.
Further to developing the brand, I produced stationery, document templates, designed and illustrated marketing materials ... and designed and produced the new website to work in conjunction with an Aweber campaign. The new site was built in partnership with a WordPress developer, allowing the client access to an administration dashboard to edit page content and write blogs for the news section of the site.
The following terms and conditions govern all use of my website and all content, services and products available at or through the website (taken together, the Website). The Website is owned and operated by Andrew Hills ("Me", "I", "My"). The Website is offered subject to your acceptance without modification of all of the terms and conditions contained herein and all other operating rules, policies (including, without limitation, My Privacy Policy) and procedures that may be published from time to time on this Site by Me (collectively, the "Agreement").
Please read this Agreement carefully before accessing or using the Website. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. If these terms and conditions are considered an offer by me, acceptance is expressly limited to these terms.
Responsibility of Website Visitors
I have not reviewed, and cannot review, all of the material, including computer software, posted to the Website, and cannot therefore be responsible for that material's content, use or effects. By operating the Website, I do not represent or imply that it endorses the material there posted, or that it believes such material to be accurate, useful or non-harmful. You are responsible for taking precautions as necessary to protect yourself and your computer systems from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other harmful or destructive content. The Website may contain content that is offensive, indecent, or otherwise objectionable, as well as content containing technical inaccuracies, typographical mistakes, and other errors. The Website may also contain material that violates the privacy or publicity rights, or infringes the intellectual property and other proprietary rights, of third parties, or the downloading, copying or use of which is subject to additional terms and conditions, stated or unstated. I disclaim any responsibility for any harm resulting from the use by visitors of the Website, or from any downloading by those visitors of content there posted.
Content Posted on Other Websites
I have not reviewed, and cannot review, all of the material, including computer software, made available through the websites and web pages to which andrewhills.com links, and that link to andrewhills.com. I do not have any control over those websites and web pages, and am not responsible for their contents or their use. By linking to another website or web page, I do not represent or imply that I endorse such website or web page. You are responsible for taking precautions as necessary to protect yourself and your computer systems from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other harmful or destructive content. I disclaim any responsibility for any harm resulting from your use of other websites and web pages.
Copyright Infringement and DMCA Policy
I ask others to respect my intellectual property rights, as I respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that material located on or linked to by andrewhills.com violates your copyright, you are encouraged to notify me in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"). I will respond to all such notices, including as required or appropriate by removing the infringing material or disabling all links to the infringing material.
Intellectual Property
This Agreement does not transfer from me to any third party intellectual property, and all right, title and interest in and to such property will remain (as between the parties) solely with me. andrewhills.com, the aH logo, and all other trademarks, service marks, graphics and logos used in connection with the Website are my trademarks or registered trademarks of my licensors. Other trademarks, service marks, graphics and logos used in connection with the Website may be the trademarks of other third parties. Your use of the Website grants you no right or license to reproduce or otherwise use any of my or third-party trademarks.
Changes
I reserve the right, at my sole discretion, to modify or replace any part of this Agreement. It is your responsibility to check this Agreement periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to the Website following the posting of any changes to this Agreement constitutes acceptance of those changes. I may also, in the future, offer new services and/or features through the Website (including, the release of new tools and resources). Such new features and/or services shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Termination
I may terminate your access to all or any part of the Website at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice, effective immediately. If you wish to terminate this Agreement, you may simply discontinue using the Website. All provisions of this Agreement which by their nature should survive termination shall survive termination, including, without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity and limitations of liability.
Disclaimer of Warranties
The Website is provided "as is". I and my suppliers and licensors hereby disclaim all warranties of any kind, express or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Neither I nor my suppliers and licensors, makes any warranty that the Website will be error free or that access thereto will be continuous or uninterrupted. You understand that you download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through, the Website at your own discretion and risk.
Limitation of Liability
In no event will I, or my suppliers or licensors, be liable with respect to any subject matter of this agreement under any contract, negligence, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for: (i) any special, incidental or consequential damages; (ii) the cost of procurement for substitute products or services; (iii) for interruption of use or loss or corruption of data; or (iv) for any amounts that exceed the fees paid by you to me under this agreement during the twelve (12) month period prior to the cause of action. I shall have no liability for any failure or delay due to matters beyond their reasonable control. The foregoing shall not apply to the extent prohibited by applicable law.
General Representation and Warranty
You represent and warrant that (i) your use of the Website will be in strict accordance with my Privacy Policy, with this Agreement and with all applicable laws and regulations (including without limitation any local laws or regulations in your country, state, city, or other governmental area, regarding online conduct and acceptable content, and including all applicable laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the United Kingdom or the country in which you reside) and (ii) your use of the Website will not infringe or misappropriate the intellectual property rights of any third party.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless, me, my contractors and licensors, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims and expenses, including legal fees, arising out of your use of the Website, including but not limited to your violation of this Agreement.
Miscellaneous
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and I concerning the subject matter hereof, and they may only be modified by a written amendment signed by me, or by the posting by me of a revised version. Except to the extent applicable law, if any, provides otherwise, this Agreement, any access to or use of the Website will be governed by the laws of the UK, excluding its conflict of law provisions, and the proper venue for any disputes arising out of or relating to any of the same will be the Crown Courts located in Suffolk. The prevailing party in any action or proceeding to enforce this Agreement shall be entitled to costs and legal fees. If any part of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, that part will be construed to reflect the parties' original intent, and the remaining portions will remain in full force and effect. A waiver by either party of any term or condition of this Agreement or any breach thereof, in any one instance, will not waive such term or condition or any subsequent breach thereof. You may assign your rights under this Agreement to any party that consents to, and agrees to be bound by, its terms and conditions; I may assign its rights under this Agreement without condition. This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors and permitted assigns.
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to me. This privacy statement provides information about the personal information that I collect, and the ways in which I use that personal information.
Personal Information Collection
I may collect and use the following kinds of personal information: (i) information about your use of this website; (ii) information that you provide using for the purpose of registering with the website; (iii) information about transactions carried out over this website; (iv) information that you provide for the purpose of subscribing to my services; (v) any other information that you send to me.
Using Personal Information
I may use your personal information to: (i) administer this website; (ii) personalize the website for you; (iii) enable your access to and use of the website services; (iv) publish information about you on the website; (v) send to you products that you purchase; (vi) supply to you services that you purchase; (vii) send to you statements and invoices; (viii) collect payments from you; (ix) send you marketing communications.
Where I disclose your personal information to my agents or sub-contractors for these purposes, the agent or sub-contractor in question will be obligated to use that personal information in accordance with the terms of this privacy statement.
In addition to the disclosures reasonably necessary for the purposes identified elsewhere above, I may disclose your personal information to the extent that it is required to do so by law, in connection with any legal proceedings or prospective legal proceedings, and in order to establish, exercise or defend its legal rights.
Securing Your Data
I will store all the personal information you provide on secure servers and take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information.
Information relating to electronic transactions entered into via this website will be protected by encryption technology.
Cross-border data transfers
Information that I collect may be stored and processed in and transferred between any of the countries in which I operate to enable the use of the information in accordance with this privacy policy.
In addition, personal information that you submit for publication on the website will be published on the internet and may be available around the world. You agree to such cross-border transfers of personal information.
Updating this Statement
I may update this privacy policy by posting a new version on this website. You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are familiar with any changes.
Other websites
This website contains links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of any third party.
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