ABOUT RYDER DESIGN
I'm an award-winning, multi-disciplinary, graphic designer with a wealth of design industry experience. I'm driven to produce effective visual communication and I work across a diverse range of disciplines for numerous international brands, start-ups and local companies from multiple sectors.
I've done my time and know what I'm doing – I graduated from Junior Designer to Studio Manager to Senior Designer; and then from Head of Design to Creative Director in design agency, publishing and traditional reprographic roles. After many successful years working for other people, I decided to pursue other opportunities. So in March 2017, I left my then Creative Director job and started working for myself as a freelance graphic designer, specialising in book design, under the name of Ryder Design – I’ve not looked back since.
Some of my past (and present), clients include Bradt Guides, Sandstone Press, And Other Stories, fotoVUE, Vertebrate Publishing, Rab, Mountain Equipment, Alpkit, Jagged Globe, Scarpa, Deuter, the BMC, the National Trust, Sir Chris Bonington, Sheffield University, Sheffield College, ESSE, Young's, McVitie's and many more – I take pride in maintaining excellent working relationships with my clients.
I'm an organised, enthusiastic, quick, accurate and talented strategic thinker. I'm passionately committed to the design industry, and keen to work with forward-looking clients and creative teams. I'm always on the look out for new and exciting opportunities – give me a shout, and let's make some sweet design together!
WHAT I CAN OFFER YOU
If you're in need of any graphic design, publishing or book design, please contact me and let me know your requirements.
I offer a wide range of services at good rates, but if what you require is not shown below, please get in touch anyway – it will either be something I can do, or I'll have a contact who has the know-how. I offer good competitive rates on high-quality large-format printing for posters, banners, pop-ups, exhibition displays, vehicle wraps and all types of signage.
If you're a design agency in need of some help with your workflow, and you're looking for a competent, fast, accurate, experienced graphic designer, I'm your man – I would love to hear from you.
BOOK DESIGN
Book Design is a highly specialised discipline – if it's not done right it shows! I can design and produce your books to a high professional standard. I have specialist publishing contacts who can project-manage the print and delivery of your books.
EXHIBITIONS / DISPLAYS / POSTERS
Exhibitions can be expensive – I can offer great design coupled with competitive rates on high-quality large-format printing for posters, banners, pop-ups, exhibition displays and all types of signage.
BROCHURES / MAGAZINES / FLYERS
Old Skool will never die! Believe it or not, people still love to read from real pages whether it's a brochure, magazine, book or flyer. I live for print; the feel of it; the look of it; and yes, the smell of it … yeah, yeah, I can hear you – "what a geek".
EDITING / COPYWRITING / PROOFREADING
I work with a professional editor who has edited award-winning titles. An A level English tutor for over 13 years, she still teaches part-time in school and gives private tuition. NB: I wrote my own copy for this site – any mistakes are mine!
ADVERTISING
If people don't know you exist they're not going to find you. Advertising works – digital or traditional print, you just have to do it. Don't rely on search engines to list you – advertise!
WEB / DIGITAL DESIGN
I can offer website UI design (user interface). I sub-contract any coding or building work to professional web developers. Or, if you prefer, I can produce a Squarespace site for you.
BRANDING / LOGOS / CORPORATE ID
It's true – your brand is so important. It's not just a logo quickly thrown together that doesn't mean anything. It certainly should not be an 'off-the-shelf' branding template you just add your name to. Get one that is bespoke; get it done professionally – it's your shop window and you want people to come in.
ARTWORKING / LAYOUT / TYPESETTING
It's incredibly important that your artwork is done correctly and is error-free. Very few designers would admit they're not that keen on artworking; they want to do the creative stuff. Same here. That said, I do offer high-quality artworking – I'm precise, quick, knowledgeable and efficient.
T-SHIRT DESIGN
People like to convey a message or express a feeling through what they wear – T-shirts are a good way of showing loyalty to a brand, idea, product or just that you have a sense of humour.
PRICING
I normally charge either a day rate or, for smaller projects, an hourly rate.
Please get in touch so we can discuss exactly what you need. I will then be able to give you an accurate quote. You can decide at that point if it’s something you wish to pursue; there is never any pressure from me to proceed with work.
But, just to AVOID any CONFUSION …
I'm approachable, I'm easy to get on with, I'm fair, my rates are fair, I'm honest, I'm hard-working, I like to have a laugh and I've trained for a long time – this is how I earn my living. Therefore, I don't do free work and I don't do pitches.
A small selection of my T-shirts can be bought from Threadless
“I have worked with Nathan since the beginning of fotoVUE in 2014. Since then, we have published 23 titles. He has designed all our book templates and has laid out the majority of our titles. He is professional, reliable and talented – he’s an integral part of the fotoVUE business. His costs are reasonable and because of his vast experience in book design he is our guarantee that everything goes right at the printers.”
Mick Ryan – Director fotoVUE Limited
“Nathan has designed and managed books through to print on scores of occasions for Vertebrate Publishing, including the best-selling small guides series, the bedrock of our business. He expertly combines creativity, attention to detail and book publishing experience. Highly recommended.”
Jon Barton – Director Vertebrate Publishing Ltd.
“I have worked with Nathan for over twenty years. During that time, he has designed websites, corporate identities, flyers, brochures, books, and more. His work has been at the heart of more successful projects than I can name.
Nathan is exceptionally professional and diligent, yet he balances this with an informed, refined and joyful eye for design..”
Simon Norris – Director Littlefire Digital Ltd.