From Ad Agency to Freelance Creative Designer.
I have 10+ years experience as a member of creative departments in large and small design and advertising agencies. In that time I have worked on large UK and international brands such as CNN, Jaguar, Habitat UK and Coca Cola. I've designed a wide variety of brand identities, brochures, DM campaigns, websites and marketing material for both print and web.
Now working for myself, my mission is to combine my experience, knowledge and passion for good design with the freedom to work with people, suppliers, agencies and organisations at a fraction of the 'big agency' cost. With no job too big or small I aim to bring big ideas and polished creative to any design challenge.
I have an eye for detail, a passion for good design work and believe that a good idea and great looking design will solve almost anything!
Now for a bit more background...
Thinking back far back as I can remember I have always been passionate about design. I think I'm one of the few people who don't know what all the fuss is about when news articles appear about brand exposure and advertising to young people. (Although I must say I do draw the line at Hugh Hefner's expansion into the Argos catalogue of all places). Brands have always allowed people to stand out from a crowd and identify themselves, and are part of everyday life that surrounds us all the time, so the more we know about it the better.
Education Education Education about branding is, I believe, important for everyone to appreciate. Branding is powerful! and it's as relevant to business success as interest rates and fuel prices. With a successful brand image the sky is the limit. A strong brand, I believe, can command trust and respect from consumers and alter the decisions they make with their vital purchasing power - so it's good to know why brands work and how. This subject is bigger than this page but suffice to say that it is integral part of my design work that had led me to work on some great projects and be a prt of some good success stories with clients that I hope to continue in a freelance capacity.
What on earth is in a brand anyway? and is good branding good design? well, David Oglivy the legendary advertising guru was once quoted as saying "if it doesn't sell it isn't creative", and on the other hand he also said "The pursuit of excellence is less profitable than the pursuit of bigness, but it can be more satisfying." He was right both times, I personally belive that there is a balance to be achieved with design excellence and branding and that, in a nutshell is my job.
Design thought and strategy is behind every piece of work that I do. Good results of design work are often the result of good brand strategy. Consistant brand elements designed into your communications are cues for people to try, buy and repeat buy, and can make or break a good idea or venture. If your idea, venture or business is not working as hard as it could, you could benefit from some extra creative design involving some x-factor brand desireability.
Contact me for a chat about your design requirements and I can help give your communications a boost with some honest assessment, creative thinking and a new approach. I won't blind you with brand diagrams or bore you with a powerpoint presentations. I offer honest opinion, creative ideas and the means to bring them to life. If you need someone to create print or web design work with an eye for strong brand appreciation - without breaking the bank - I can help.
If you're awake at this point and the above sounds right up your street it makes sense we talk. If you'd like to talk new ideas and fresh thinking for your business please get in touch on 07813 311253, email me at chris@chrisparker.info or fill out the contact form here It doesn't matter if your project or job is big or small I'll tell you how I can help.