Why 'we', when it’s just 'me'?

I'm the director and owner of twentyfiveandahalf, and am the main driving force in the business - but that doesn't mean that I work alone. I work with a range of trusted partners and suppliers, from freelance designers and web developers, to artists and performers, marketing and PR specialists, photographers, fabricators to brand strategists. Together we work as a team when the project calls for it, but we don't have the overall running costs of a bigger agency. Plus it means that you always know who to come to with any queries - me!

Before twentyfiveandahalf

My background is in graphic design, and I graduated with a degree from Kingston University, London - one of the country's top visual arts schools. The course really focussed on the quality of core ideas in communication, and this led to my work developing a real ideas-focused, tailor-made approach to projects - rather than bringing my own 'style' to impose onto my clients. As a designer, I think this is crucial to achieving what's best for the client, and creating work that continues to innovate project after project.

Following my time at Kingston, I worked at GBH Design in London, where I was fortunate enough to gain experience working for international household names including Puma, Apple and Virgin, as well as smaller 'boutique' brands in hospitality and retail, such as Philippe Starck, Mama Shelter hotels and Allard Hotels and Palaces. During my time at GBH I also worked on the PUMA City project, and was part of the team that won a prestigious 'Silver Pencil' at the D&AD Awards.

This range of experience, from community-focussed organisation to multinational retailer, has allowed me a unique insight into the differences between sectors, and the possible lessons that each one could learn from the other. It's invaluable in my current practice and helps me to pitch innovative strategies to solving client problems, as well as giving me the technical tools that are so necessary when bringing these ambitious projects to life.

Some recent accolades

D&AD Future Creative Bursary Winner
Arts Council England Artimelt Bursary Recipient
D&AD Silver Pencil Winner (at GBH Design)
British Waterways Renaissance Award Commended for Mills, Mines and Malt
Recommended Agency Register Approved agency - based on client satisfaction

Tactik

Tactik was a project I developed along with two colleagues Donna Plastow and Emily Maher, and as our team we worked with members of the blind and partially-sighted communities to develop our proposal to help them navigate safely in the urban environment. We won the following awards:

Royal Society of Arts Design Directions Winner
South East Enterprise Development Agency MAD Ideas
Westfocus Bright Ideas Winner
Audi Sustain Awards Shortlisted

Publications

Sign Design, Index Book Barcelona Blue Bell Wayfinding