I was born at an early age... The son of an architect, I was educated at King’s School Worcester. I left at 15 to work for a local architectural practice, and take A-levels at the local college. Seemed like a good plan... So I worked as an architectural technician for the next six years - although I couldn’t progress to the next stage until I got qualified, so I came to Cheltenham to take my degree. But afterwards, I became increasingly frustrated by the lengthy process between creative idea and actual realisation. Remembering that I had always been applauded for my artistic skills, I had something of an epiphany, and took the bold decision to see if I could make a living at graphic design. So I took a job with a small local graphics studio, and over two years did so well that I became creative head. After that, I worked for two full-service agencies in Cheltenham, after which I went out on my own and formed Studio B with my wife Sheila. That went well for the best part of ten years, until I was head-hunted by Chapter One. I stayed with them for nearly three years, then returned to the freelance life for another five - until I was headhunted again, this time by Target Direct. Two-and-a-half years with them, then in 2001 I went back on the freelance trail again - and so ever since. I could write about the skills I have, and the many clients and types of business I have worked on, but hopefully my work will tell a better story in that regard than words ever could. The truth is, I like working independently because I thrive on variety and challenge. I love being tasked to deliver good work, on time, for sensible cost - it keeps me sharp, and gives my clients what they need. Whether that’s an advertising agency, marketing company, or an independent client, I am stimulated by different demands and disciplines. And I believe that excitement is reflected in the work I deliver.

MikeBastin

I was born at an early age... The son of an architect, I was educated at King’s School Worcester. I left at 15 to work for a local architectural practice, and take A-levels at the local college. Seemed like a good plan... So I worked as an architectural technician for the next six years - although I couldn’t progress to the next stage until I got qualified, so I came to Cheltenham to take my degree. But afterwards, I became increasingly frustrated by the lengthy process between creative idea and actual realisation. Remembering that I had always been applauded for my artistic skills, I had something of an epiphany, and took the bold decision to see if I could make a living at graphic design. So I took a job with a small local graphics studio, and over two years did so well that I became creative head. After that, I worked for two full-service agencies in Cheltenham, after which I went out on my own and formed Studio B with my wife Sheila. That went well for the best part of ten years, until I was head-hunted by Chapter One. I stayed with them for nearly three years, then returned to the freelance life for another five - until I was headhunted again, this time by Target Direct. Two-and-a-half years with them, then in 2001 I went back on the freelance trail again - and so ever since. I could write about the skills I have, and the many clients and types of business I have worked on, but hopefully my work will tell a better story in that regard than words ever could. The truth is, I like working independently because I thrive on variety and challenge. I love being tasked to deliver good work, on time, for sensible cost - it keeps me sharp, and gives my clients what they need. Whether that’s an advertising agency, marketing company, or an independent client, I am stimulated by different demands and disciplines. And I believe that excitement is reflected in the work I deliver.

Available to hire

I was born at an early age…

The son of an architect, I was educated at King’s School Worcester. I left at 15 to work for a local architectural practice, and take A-levels at the local college. Seemed like a good plan…

So I worked as an architectural technician for the next six years - although I couldn’t progress to the next stage until I got qualified, so I came to Cheltenham to take my degree. But afterwards, I became increasingly frustrated by the lengthy process between creative idea and actual realisation. Remembering that I had always been applauded for my artistic skills, I had something of an epiphany, and took the bold decision to see if I could make a living at graphic design.

So I took a job with a small local graphics studio, and over two years did so well that I became creative head. After that, I worked for two full-service agencies in Cheltenham, after which I went out on my own and formed Studio B with my wife Sheila. That went well for the best part of ten years, until I was head-hunted by Chapter One. I stayed with them for nearly three years, then returned to the freelance life for another five - until I was headhunted again, this time by Target Direct. Two-and-a-half years with them, then in 2001 I went back on the freelance trail again - and so ever since.

I could write about the skills I have, and the many clients and types of business I have worked on, but hopefully my work will tell a better story in that regard than words ever could.

The truth is, I like working independently because I thrive on variety and challenge. I love being tasked to deliver good work, on time, for sensible cost - it keeps me sharp, and gives my clients what they need. Whether that’s an advertising agency, marketing company, or an independent client, I am stimulated by different demands and disciplines. And I believe that excitement is reflected in the work I deliver.

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Freelance Gig

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    uniE621 Children's book illustration
    This is a children's story, about a boy who travels to a land of toys and puppets. This is one of 12 images.
    uniE621 Book illustration
    A children's book, illustrated throughout by me. This the cover.
    uniE621 Book illustration
    This is a children's story, illustrated with 30 images, of which this is the cover.
    uniE621 Crop circle joints analaogy
    Through an agency, this was for a pharmaceutical product concerned with joints, and this was a creative way to envision the idea.
    uniE621 Savings concept
    Through an agency, this was an idea for a savings initiative. The creative director had the basic initial idea, I developed it and created these iterations.
    uniE621 Motivational video
    This was part of a motivational initiative for a large insurance provider - this sketchy storyboard showed a humorous spin on athletic events. I conceived this, wrote the script, and drew the storyboard.
    uniE621 Sight-impaired charity
    Through an agency, this was a proposed video for a charity helping sight-impaired children. It was based on the Raymond Briggs 'Snowman' animation. These are just a few frames.
    uniE621 Animal charity
    Storyboard for an animal charity. These are just a few frames.
    uniE621 Medical scene
    Vua an agency, this was a proposed video for a pharmaceutical company. These are just a handful of frames.
    uniE621 Veterinary service cartoon story
    Clinet provided the script, I had to create a strip cartoon to fit a given page size. This was the initial draft.
    uniE621 Charity garden party
    A homing charity - this was a proposed social event, and an image to show to the client.
    uniE621 Moon buggy crash
    A jokey inage for a major insurance provider.