1. When did you realise you wanted to be a designer?

It took some time, honestly. My journey here hasn’t been the most linear, but I’ve always loved making things. I’ve sold art, clothing, tattoo designs, products – all sorts. I always knew I wanted to be professionally creative; I just didn’t know what form that would take.

After studying a mix of creative and academic subjects at school, I took English Language & Linguistics at university in an attempt to maximise career prospects. During that time, I started (and failed) a few creative-led businesses, so once I graduated, I figured creativity plus English meant advertising was my calling.

My particular flavour of advertising wasn’t very fulfilling, so I started helping out the design team when they were stretched. Then one late evening, I found logo design and fell immediately in love. It combined problem-solving with artistic expression in exactly the right way – it scratched my creative itch tenfold. I spent every spare moment working on my craft and slowly building a portfolio.

2. How did you get started and what was the biggest hurdle you overcame?

The biggest hurdle I’ve overcome is actually the reason I started. Around the time I found my love for logo design, I had a brain aneurysm. The surgeries and final goodbyes made me reflect hard on what my life had become at 23.

Lying in that hospital bed before my riskiest surgery, I made myself a promise: if I get through this and can recover to a level I’m able, I’ll stop at nothing to make brand design my career.

3. What’s been your most successful way of getting clients?

With no formal education, career peers, or industry connections, I had to find a way to market myself effectively. I tried everything – going door to door, cold emails, badgering friends of friends – but none of it was particularly fruitful.

I needed to get into the orbits of people actively looking for brand designers, and I had no money for traditional channels. So I went all in on social media.

Since then, I’ve had thousands of enquiries, accidentally built a community of over 500k people, and worked with clients all over the world doing what I love.

4. How do you get clients to stay with you and use you for more work?

If I’m honest, I don’t actually take on much retainer work. My last proper job involved pumping out assets from the same brand guidelines day in, day out, and I’ve had a bit of a phobia of it ever since.

That said, I’ve worked with a number of clients multiple times on an ad-hoc basis. I always live by “under-promise and overdeliver.” If the work is strong and clients leave feeling like they got more than they bargained for, that’s a pretty good reason to come back.

5. Do you ever have issues with clients paying late? How do you manage that?

Not anymore. A thorough contract before any work begins keeps clients bound to the agreed payment structure – typically 50% upfront, 50% on sign-off.

One tip: never hand over final files until you’ve received full payment. It’s your bargaining chip to get them to act quickly. You could also add a late payment fee as an extra incentive.

6. What does your typical work day look like?

I love structure and routine, so my days look pretty similar. I’m up at 5:45am and straight out for a walk. I plan my day and write a to-do list during that time, then transfer it to a post-it on my desk when I’m back.

Mornings are for the most cognitively demanding work: client work, writing, planning, finances. Afternoons are for lighter tasks. Then a workout, dinner, and usually a show with my soon-to-be wife.

7. Any piece of advice/wisdom that you’d like to give the readers at This Design Life?

If you think it’s too late or you’re not qualified enough to become a designer, you’re wrong.

The only reason I’ve been able to live this out is through genuine love for the craft and a disciplined work ethic. If you want something hard enough, you can absolutely achieve it.

Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.