I assemble teams, direct designers, manage projects and collaborate with all sorts of creative and strategic types.
About Stew
Nothing grinds my gears like bland branding (blanding).
The best projects walk a fine line between graphic restraint and impactful messaging. Great communication can amuse, excite and entertain. I’m on a mission to help organisations with that.
A potted history
In July 2015 I left agency life to work for myself. In 2018 I established Don't Walk LLP with business partner Mark McAulay. This lead to more collaborative design projects with businesses and freelancers spanning time zones.
My current focus is on developing existing partnerships and building new ones. Whether you need design skills or want to create something together…
What I do
Services—
I’m a consultant based in Scotland specialising in branding, art direction, design and production.
Outputs span all platforms.
I am a design consultant
I create, build and protect brands.
Consultancy—
Means that I write plans for companies who want to improve their brand through design. Consultancy work usually informs top-level branding but I’m comfortable advising on all manner of challenges.
Every project starts with a plan. For some organisations the plan is the product but I’m often involved in delivering strategic work too.
Design projects—
Since 2007 I’ve designed corporate identities, marketing materials, websites, campaigns, exhibitions, products and print materials. I believe in thinking first and ‘drawing’ last. When the time comes to bust out those crayons I work with artists, craftspeople, designers and makers whose skills compliment my own.
Working together
The right fit—
Branding projects take time. Choosing the right designer is as important as finding a great accountant.
Some graphic design projects take very little time; creating tangible brand value always takes a long time. Brilliant clients deserve design partners that they can work with for years.
Before any work starts I’ll always suggest a meeting or phone call.
Referrals—
By working with trusted partners I’m comfortable undertaking a wide range of work. When a task is outside of my specialisms it is a pleasure to refer others.
[a+]
Speaking of talented folk, check out the profiles of the people I work with—
Who I work with
I work with and for people who I have fun with on projects I care about.