Welcome to the new members. Don’t forget to introduce yourself. I look forward to chatting with you? Lee the Designer

Hello Everyone, As a fellow member of this community, I thought it would be great to introduce myself and share a little about my journey and career so far. My name is Lee Hall, and I’m a Graphic Designer based in the UK. I’ve been working in the creative industry for over two decades, starting out as a self-taught designer in the 1990s. Back then, I was designing club flyers and working with small independent record labels in the music industry. Later, I joined Madison, the UK’s leading distributor of cycle parts and accessories. Here, I worked with multiple brands, including Shimano, Garmin, Continental Tyres, Kärcher, Thule, and Lazer Helmets. Madison had a fast-paced, agency-style marketing environment, which really ignited my passion for cycling. I enjoyed tackling challenging projects and navigating complex brand guidelines—creating everything from print and digital materials to trade show displays, tailored to each brand’s marketing needs. Following this, I moved to Trek Bicycles, one of the world’s leading bicycle manufacturers. Here, I expanded my expertise to the Trek brand and its umbrella of brands, including Bontrager, Diamant Bikes, Electra Bikes, and external brands such as SRAM. At Trek I was working in the in-house marketing department. I got to travel all over the UK and Europe visiting our retail stores and help set up events for the business. Trek is by far the best company I’ve worked for, and continue to going into 2026. Alongside my full-time work, I also take on freelance design projects whenever time allows. My day-to-day toolkit includes Apple Mac, Adobe Suite, Figma, Trello, and Microsoft Office, and I’m always exploring new courses to keep learning and growing as a designer. Education: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication University of Northampton, UK Awarded: 1st Class FDa Foundation degree in Graphic Design Bedfordshire University Awarded: distinction Outside of work: My family always comes first. I spend most of my time with my partner and our son, along with our four cats; we have a busy household. We have a big garden where we grow fruit, vegetables, and herbs. I also make music, love hiking, mountain biking, gravel riding, travelling, cooking, listening to podcasts, collecting illustration prints, and photography.

Hi, I’m currently in the process of putting together the first course which will be a series of courses that will guide you from novice to industry designer. Course 1. Building Your First Design Portfolio Turn your creativity into something you can show the world. Your portfolio is your most powerful tool as a designer — it’s how you show who you are, what you can do, and how you think. But when you’re just starting out, it can feel overwhelming. What should you include? How polished does it need to be? How do you stand out with little experience? This course is here to help you build a strong, confident portfolio — step by step. What You’ll Learn By the end of this course, you’ll know how to: ✅ Understand what makes a great beginner portfolio ✅ Choose the right projects to include (even if you haven’t studied yet) ✅ Build creative briefs and personal projects that show your thinking ✅ Present your work clearly and professionally ✅ Design your portfolio layout — digital or printed ✅ Add context and storytelling to make your projects come alive ✅ Get feedback and improve your presentation skills Who It’s For This course is perfect if you’re: - Just starting your design journey - Thinking about studying graphic design at college or university - Self-taught and want to take your work to the next level - Unsure what to include (or leave out) of your portfolio No experience needed — just creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. How It Works The course is built around short, practical lessons and simple exercises to help you make real progress. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio that shows who you are as a potential designer entering college or university or as a educated designer wanting to enter the industry — and the confidence to share it proudly. Watch this space. Lee

Where aspiring designers learn what is needed to get into the creative industry. Hi everyone 👋 — I’m Lee, a professional graphic designer working in the industry for over two decades. I created this space to help people who are passionate about design but aren’t sure where to start. Maybe you’re thinking about studying design… Maybe you’ve started experimenting with creative tools… Or maybe you just love the idea of turning your creativity into a career. Wherever you’re starting from — you’re in the right place. 🎨 What You’ll Find Here This community is all about real-world learning — the stuff I wish someone had told me when I started. Here, we’ll cover: - Choosing the right course, college, or career path - Building your first design portfolio - Getting constructive feedback on your work - Designing a creative CV and presentation - Learning how designers really think and work 🤝 Community Guidelines This is a supportive and respectful space — no abuse, negativity, or bad language will be tolerated. We’re all here to learn, share, and grow, no matter what level we’re at. So: - Be kind in your feedback - Celebrate each other’s progress - Ask questions — there are no “stupid” ones here 🚀 Your Next Steps 1. Introduce yourself! — Tell us who you are, what interests you about design, and what you hope to learn. 2. Explore the community — Check out posts, discussions, and learning sections. 3. Get involved — Comment, share your work, or join creative challenges when they appear. Welcome aboard — I’m excited to help you build confidence, develop your skills, and start your journey toward becoming a real graphic designer. Let’s make something great together. – Lee