“You couldn’t handle my undivided attention!”

Dwight K. Schrute

Now, while I will admit that I do tend to adopt a light-hearted approach to most aspects of my life, be assured that customer service, and ensuring the satisfaction of my clients, is something I take very seriously. 

It is for this reason, I drew up my, ‘Creative Manifesto’. A document that serves as the code of conduct I follow in order to assure I provide all my clients with the highest level of service and satisfaction.

Please read the following statement carefully and pay attention because this is the serious bit!

Stephen Ashton’s Creative Manifesto

I am passionate about design and how it can be employed to find imaginative and diverse solutions- from the aesthetics of product design to finding creative solutions to mundane problems. I believe graphic design is art with a purpose while illustration is the format to express the inexpressible. Proficient illustration will add extra meaning, further depth and enrichment to anything it touches, helping to visually express even the most abstract of concepts. When applied correctly, both media are capable of evoking powerful and emotional responses. 

Identify, Adapt, Communicate, Cooperate and Succeed.

These five words have become my mantra during my time as a freelance creative. They are the stepping-stones I use to guide me towards success and ensure my clients are satisfied with the service they receive.

Identify

In order to generate an outcome that meets the client’s needs, a clear objective must be identified and established early in the process, and this will serve as our shared goal.

Adapt

The path towards this goal will be the starting point for the project but, as with all creative projects, the route will often change as the project evolves. In order to cope with such unexpected changes it is helpful to view the process as organic in nature and to be adaptable and responsive in order to overcome the unforeseen barriers as they arise. It is for this reason that I adopt a systematic and meticulous approach to every brief I work on as this thoroughness, paired with my reflective mind-set, provides the perfect platform for me to be constantly evaluating and refining my work. Being mentally flexible ensures I am able to remain on track while still meeting the needs of the client. 

Communicate

I believe that transparent communication is the key to successful teamwork and that, by maintaining a constantly open dialogue, I am able to ensure that my clients feel understood and represented throughout each creative stage. This allows me to ensure that the specific individual needs of each client are met fully while providing them with an experience that is powerful and rewarding. 

Cooperate

Client input is vital as they are the catalyst for the entire process and it is for this reason that it is crucial they feel a part of that journey at every stage. Their thoughts and opinions should be considered and responded to throughout the process so they feel an enhanced level of involvement. I find that cooperating together like this generates a synergy that drives the project in a positive direction and guarantees the client will feel involved and satisfied with the finished product.

Succeed

Finally, I do not believe that success is achieved by simply creating something that ‘looks nice’. It is my opinion that the journey is every bit as important as the outcome and is therefore intrinsic when judging the overall success of a project. I feel true success is only ever achieved when the client feels involved and satisfied every step of the way. It is also my belief that, when working in unison this way, the potential of what can be achieved is almost limitless.

If you you wish to get in touch regarding potential work, please click on the link below and you will be directed to my contact page.