Hi I'm Ryan, a London-based Design Director, bridging the gap between brand strategy and identity.
I’m also a dad, husband, charity founder, mentor, rouleur, 3D hobbyist, graphic novel reader and collector of 90s football jerseys.
In my career, I’ve worked both agency and client-side and have been fortunate to develop my passion for branding by creating meaningful brand experiences - both on and off-line - for some truly amazing clients, ranging from government and education to sport and entertainment.
I believe that strategic, collaborative design, combined with purpose and powerful storytelling, moves and inspires audiences, taking an idea from good to awesome.
Experience
BRAAN CREATIVE // Freelance
Oct 2018 - May 2019 & Feb 2022 - pres
Working with several agencies and private clients.
POPPINS // Design Director (contract)
June 2022 - July 2022
Working closely with the agency's two creative directors, creating brand identities and campaigns for brands such as yFood, Collecting Cars, AKT and VistaJet.
BRAND OPUS // Senior Brand Designer (contract)
Feb 2022 - May 2022
Working closely with the strategy team to create the creative platform and visual identity for tech start-up Trive, as well as digitally rebranding R White's lemonade.
SUPERLIST // Brand Lead (contract)
Jan 2021 - Jan 2022
Responsible for creating and maintaining the full strategic brand positioning, framework and visual identity ahead of beta launch for productivity start-up Superlist. Visit project.
BRAND BREWERY // Head of Design
June 2019 - Dec 2020
Leading a team of four designers, delivering global brand events and campaigns for DHL Global, The Space, Manchester United FC and Leicester City FC.
CHELSEA FC // Creative Lead
June 2015 - Oct 2018
Following a marketing restructure in 2017, I was responsible for the creative direction and implementation of the club’s first ever global rebrand, leading a team of ten creatives and overseeing the strategic positioning of the brand (alongside the Head of Brand), and coordinating it’s implementation. Visit Project.
Previous agencies / roles:
LIQUID MARQUE // Art Director // Sept 2017 - Sept 2018
TCA LONDON // Senior Designer // Aug 2016 - Aug 2017
CLINIC LONDON // Senior Designer // Dec 2010 - Sept 2014
BELL DESIGN // Designer // Dec 2007 - Dec 2010
ENGINE GROUP // Designer // Dec 2006 - Nov 2007
NKD GROUP // Designer // June 2005 - Dec 2006
Some of the brands I have worked with
Awards
⭐️ 2022 Creativepool Annual // Superlist Beta Brand (shortlisted)
🏆 2021 Creativepool Annual // Adobe Dimension (People's Choice Winner)
🥉 2021 Creativepool Annual // Adobe Dimension (Bronze Award)
⭐️ 2020 Creativepool Annual // Emerging Talent Award (shortlisted)
⭐️ 2020 Creativepool Annual // ALF10s rebrand (shortlisted)
⭐️ 2019 Creativepool Annual // Aaron Lewis Foundation rebrand (shortlisted)
⭐️ 2018 In-House Awards // Chelsea Health Club rebrand (shortlisted)
🏆 2005 Stocks Taylor Benson // Technical Student Award
Mentoring
Having previously led teams of up to ten creatives, I realised a love of learning from and sharing my knowledge, experience and insights with other designers through mentoring - both inside and outside of the workplace.
Working with and helping others realise their dreams and ambitions in this competitive industry is incredibly important to me and is truly one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
Since 2018 I have worked with a number of creatives at various stages of their career, and in 2020, I was named one of the platforms Founding Mentors.
Re:Create // October 2018 - Pres
Charity
In 2008, following the death in service of my best friend Lt Aaron Lewis, I founded the Aaron Lewis Foundation with Aaron's family and friends with the purpose of raising funds through sport and social for local disadvantaged children and ex-military causes.
Since then, we have raised over £300,000 in funds and established ourselves as one of the most supported volunteer-led charities in the South East. Our annual rugby 10s tournament is attended by clubs all over Europe and continues to grow each year, whilst we facilitate and support others running marathons, skydives, triathlons and so much more.
Aaron's legacy lives on through sport and we continue to encourage others to challenge themselves and inspire those around them.