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I have always loved design and see the world as a canvas for creativity. Whilst others walk down a street either looking at their phones or the views around them, I am always on the look out for inspiration “ooh look at the font on that billboard” or If I decide to walk into one of the shops I ask “what made me choose this shop”. You see, design influences us every day of our lives, our decisions to buy or directions to go in.
Starting out
Following an HNC in Graphic Design at Farnborough College of Technology, I set out on my career path in Graphic Design with a view to landing a design job within a top agency somewhere. Within 5 years I had an exciting time learning my craft, starting out as a junior designer to becoming a senior Creative within a large agency based in Petersfield.
As the agencies I worked with got bigger, I started to notice something that frustrated me. This was the fact that within these bigger agencies there is a tendancy for the designers to be kept at arms length from the clients and instead account directors would initially meet with clients, discuss the brief. This information was then fed back to other directors within the company before the designers then got briefed. This often meant that the brief got skewed as and was now third hand by this stage. There would often be awkward conversations about the client not getting 100% what they wanted or expected. I couldn’t help thinking that if the designers were part of initial client meetings we could fully understand not only the brief but who the client is as person and get to know more the personality behind the company we were working for.
“This at the end of the day is what makes good design great by being able to convey an emotion or personality to a brand.”
I loved my roles and the career I had up to this point which saw me working for some great well known brands such as Maersk Shipping, Primark, Marks & Spencer, RSA and Vodafone. However, there was a frustration that was building up.
As the recession hit in 2009 I found myself out of a job and after trying to apply for a number of other roles, no one was hiring. It was the push I needed to pursue my own path in the design world that I always dreamed of and thus PAW Design was born from my bedroom at home and a rather clunky PC. I spent the first few years freelancing for some great local agencies and started to grow my own small set of clients as well as being able to afford my trusty Mac and upto date design software.
I knew that whoever I worked for I would need to ensure I built up close professional relationships with clients and get to know them and their businesses and design around them and their needs.
The transition from freelancer to PAW Design the company
By 2013 I had built up a client base of local businesses and now meant I could focus time and effort on really building up PAW Design as a credible name in Graphic design in the local area. Helping clients attract new business by designing their marketing material and a building a consistent brand image.
I now continue to work with many of these original clients plus 100’s of other local independent clients as well as a few better known national and international businesses. These close relationships meant that I was not only offering a standard design service by providing one off business cards, leaflets and websites to them but making all these items work together consistently and start telling and communicating their story and taking them on a journey to help build a brand. This is the core ethos and strength to PAW Design.
Our logo
I now continue to work with many of these original clients plus 100’s of other local independent clients as well as a few better known national and international businesses. These close relationships meant that I was not only offering a standard design service by providing one off business cards, leaflets and websites to them but making all these items work together consistently and start telling and communicating their story and taking them on a journey to help build a brand. This is the core ethos and strength to PAW Design.
The PAW Design logo and brand has had a few alterations since conception and the mark consisted of a paint splat to signify creativity and with the splats going in all directions indicated that we looks at things from all angles. The paw print was all about my dog Harley. Whether visiting me at my home office or even now in the studio in Odiham, a lot of clients know Harley as she always makes herself known to people.
As with all things times change. Although the paw print was a great way of injecting a bit of personality into the brand it was also starting to have a negative effect. PAW was always meant to be read as P.A.W not paw and initially stood for Print And Web. With the paw print most people however read it as paw design which when you say it on the phone or in conversation it could be misconstrued as poor design.
Knowing this and the fact PAW Design was now more than creating one off design projects for people, we developed a new look. Harleys paw print has gone although she still remains a valued member of the team and the new logo is designed to work better in todays ever changing world so it looks good and easy to identify on all online and offline platforms.
Most importantly though it communicates a key change in the business that something is different and that we stand for something bigger and better now than we did when I was just trying to make ends meet working from my bedroom at home. We are no longer about creating a quick business card or a one off leaflet but a place where clients can co-ordinate all of their design and marketing needs. Clients no longer have to spend their valuable time and effort going to several companies getting bits and pieces of their marketing done and having conflicting looks and messaging.
“I finally feel I have created a helpful design resource for anyone who is ambitious about growing their business and doesn’t have time to waste.”
I finally feel I have created a helpful design resource for anyone who is ambitious about growing their business and doesn’t have time to waste.
It’s been a long and exciting journey and one which we hope you can join us on.
If you are serious about growing not only your business but your brand and the way you communicate to your audience and create a winning first impression then get in touch with me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Perhaps you run an established business that has had a significant shift in the business recently and perhaps in need of a rebrand, we offer a Free review of your current brand and offer suggestions for improvement... and Harley will always be delighted to see you!!
