Springers make the difference

I joined Spring in 2009 as a Junior Designer, straight from my degree at Norwich School of Art, and in my 13 years at Spring I have had the pleasure of working across a broad range of sectors from high-end hospitality to national utilities. Spring’s multi-sector, multi-disciplinary approach has given me the opportunity to collaborate with incredibly ambitious people, brave enough to challenge themselves and their industries to think differently.

For me, the difference between good work and great work is the power of the idea that ties it all together. You can only have great ideas if you work with insights, not assumptions; an in-depth understanding of what you do, why you do it and the challenges you face inspire me to create work that is uniquely you.

Now as Creative Director and Co-owner of Spring I’m privileged to lead our exceptional team into a new era and to start everyday with a swim in the sea (even in the winter)!

My background working in brand, digital media, commercial leadership and the corporate world combined with the realities of owning and managing businesses since 2004 has given me a great grounding to lead the team at Spring and support clients strategically.

I joined Spring in 2017 in a senior client-facing role and at least fifty percent of my time is still spent working directly with clients, and to be honest I wouldn’t change that. As someone that naturally loves to ask questions, it’s not surprising that brand strategy and insight form most of that role.

I feel truly inspired by the creative talent and professionalism of my colleagues. My drive to combine that creativity and knowledge with strategic planning and measurable outcomes for clients is why I love what I do.

When I do get that chance to take some time away from work you’ll find me on or around bikes, and that’s the sort that require leathers, not lycra! Or trying to relive my youth rock-climbing and shooting hoops with my two boys.

My journey at Spring has taken me from Junior Designer in 2008 to Design Director in 2019, then one of the business owners in 2022. Over that time I’ve gained a huge breadth of brand experience working across a huge range of sectors – the Moroccan National Tourism Office, Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils, The British Psychological Society, DanceEast and EDF.

I was lead designer on Anglian Water’s award-winning H2OMG project, a creative solution to a resident consultation, which won the 2017 Drum Cream Award for environmental design and Gold at the Design Effectiveness Awards. Judges remarked on how creativity was the key component for delivering the extraordinary results.

I’m of the firm belief that the best way – the only way – to come up with engaging and creative ways to communicate to audiences is through really effective research and insight. It’s what we base all our work on at Spring, and I think the results show how well it works.

Away from work I like to get active in the open air, whether that’s cycling, surfing or trying to keep aging at bay by skateboarding into my 40s.

Design has been a core part of me since I was able to hold a crayon, so I feel lucky it’s now what I do everyday. I get the opportunity to work on projects which align with my own ethos and interests, ranging from environmental campaigns to full visual identities for independent businesses.

To me great design is defined by the experience it creates for the consumer. I’m passionate about its use as a tool to voice important messages to inspire thought and action globally. Design should make you feel something, which is what I strive to create with my work.

When I’m not making the studio listen to my ‘sad teenage girl’ playlist, you’ll find me outside getting an adrenaline kick snowboarding, or taking it super chill down the river paddleboarding with my pup.

From humble beginnings, learning to use Photoshop to design promotional artwork for the various bands I played in as a kid, my creative intrigue still hungered for more. If there was something I didn’t know how to do, I would jump into the deep end and get stuck in until I could work Adobe’s whole catalogue. This can-do attitude, now over a decade later, has put me at the forefront of creative projects for some of the world’s most famous organisations, household names and award-winning agencies. My speciality in 2D animation and illustration has given me the chance to solve problems with engaging, dynamic creative solutions.

When not neck deep in Photoshop layers and animation expressions, I try to hold onto my youth by listening to the same pop-punk and hardcore music I did as a teen. Even when my ageing knees say no, you’ll find me in the mosh pits at festivals and gigs up and down the country. Most other nights are spent behind the keyboard of my custom-built gaming PC, slaying undead enemies or exploring lost worlds, flashing RGB lights and all.

I’ve always had a creative spirit since I was a kid obsessed with arts and crafts, so I naturally sprung into Graphic Design in 2010. Since then, I haven’t stopped, and have gained a bucket load of experience along the way.

I’ve been both a full-time and a freelance designer in my time, working across the Big Smoke, as well as spending one very exciting year of travelling and freelancing in the Land Down Under.

Having worked for so many different companies, I’ve gained lots of skills and learned plenty of lessons during this time. I would say a key part to being a good Graphic Designer is to have confidence in yourself and be flexible on your varying client briefs.

Outside of work, I have chilled but adventurous days out with my border collie Tandy, and spend time with family or friends.

I joined Spring as a data-manager after taking a break from work to raise my three girls, but it wasn’t long before I moved to Financial Manager, bringing skills I gained over 20 years working as finance manger for PKF and Lovewell Blake.

It’s my job to manage the financial performance of the company, working with the directors on budgeting and forecasting to ensure profitability and growth to keep the agency healthy and sustainable.

I’m kept busy away from work renovating my home with my husband Karl (there’s always another project), and looking after the family dogs.

Having previously worked for a specialist art and design university I’ve plenty of experience in overseeing and managing a varied portfolio of creative work across a wide range of sectors and disciplines. It’s given me a strong understanding of consultancy and commercial design which is really important at Spring, and my first-class honours degree in Illustration gives me a great insight into the creative side of things.

As an Account Manager I make sure our clients get first-class customer service and care by ensuring their needs and objectives are fully met at all stages. I believe knowledge exchange is at the forefront of business growth and development, and I love building long-term relationships and developing new opportunities with existing clients.

Away from the office I’m always on the go, whether that’s catching up with friends or keeping fit. I admit to getting up at ungodly hours for a beach run (when I’m not taking scenic pictures for the gram!) and I’m a keen traveller, who enjoys experiencing new cultures and exploring new places – though somehow the bucket list keeps growing!

I’ve been writing at Spring for nearly a decade now, creating copy for everything from search adverts and social posts, to brochures and entire websites. It’s the variety of work that I love; working with so many different clients, in so many different industries, on so many different projects, gives me great scope for creativity.

To me great writing gets the right message across in the most effective way. Finding the voice and the right words, then putting it all together in a way that completely engages the reader to achieve your goal, that’s both the art and the science.

Away from work I teach Ju Jitsu to adults and juniors two nights a week. I also lead a children’s group at my church and play the keyboard (quite well) and the guitar (very badly).

As a recent graduate, the skills and knowledge I gained during my time at university are really aiding me in my role as Junior Account Executive. My degree has given me a breadth of knowledge and encouraged me to push myself creatively as well as think innovatively to produce effective solutions; key elements which I can bring to my work with clients.

I’ve always had an interest in the creative industries but it wasn’t until studying my degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion that I discovered a keen interest in branding, strategy and marketing, and became passionate about this career path.

Out of work I enjoy catching up with family and friends over good food (usually pasta and cocktails!). I also like to find time to get outside and go for walks as well as working on crochet projects and attempting to progress at Pilates.

I’m a digital marketing strategist, experienced in working brand and agency side with many household names including Phillips, Hoseasons, James Villa Holidays. I get a real kick out of showing results and helping companies understand how their digital marketing is working. There’s nothing better than helping clients achieve their goals while they are learning something new.

Digital marketing can be seen as a dark art because not everyone understands it or understands what good looks like. It’s my aim to change that and make sure everything is totally transparent so we can be held accountable for our work and make the industry less cloak and dagger.

When I am not burying my head in Facebook business manager or conducting keyword research (there’s more to the job than that), I like to get out in the countryside and take pictures of landscapes, go and watch my beloved Ipswich Town play football or look at the latest memes to share on my social channels.