Dave Smyth Studio

About Me

I’m an independent designer creating low-carbon and privacy-respecting digital experiences.

I care about making digital experiences inclusive, accessible and sustainable, and my design approach is backed by years of experience in frontend development.

Since 2013, I’ve delivered over 200 digital projects across a wide range of clients and sectors. I’ve been working with Statamic since 2019, creating everything from extensive marketing and documentation sites (including statamic.dev) through to microsites and resource libraries.

1% of my annual turnover is donated to charities that work to benefit the environment or end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

For availability and rates, see davesmyth.studio

Info

Clients hire me

• For one-off design projects (e.g. marketing sites, web apps, documentation sites, etc)
• As an external design partner on a retained basis
• To create component libraries or design systems
• To collaborate with their internal development teams

Typical engagements and roles

• Creating wireframes, prototypes and mockups through an iterative design process
• Working with a development partner, or your internal team, to convert design intent to a live project
• Collaborating and liaising between project leads, developers, copywriters and other participants
• Leaning on my extensive network of independent experts to augment project teams

Developers like working with me because

• My deep understanding of how the web works roots all of my design work
• I speak their language and involve them in the design phase
• I believe that designs are always finished in the browser, and I can pair with them to make that happen
• I use Figma components and variables to effectively communicate design intent
• I work with developers to share the responsibility of delivering an accessible project
• I’m comfortable with Git, Terminal, writing CSS, Tailwind and creating local environments

Principles

• Design, content and development should work together. When they do, the result is clearer, faster and more accessible. It’s better all-around.
• It’s not enough to be low-carbon, we should build in way that respects user privacy. If our work is environmentally-friendly, but we send user data to companies with poor privacy practices, we have no credibility.
• User experience and organisational goals go hand-in-hand. Both sets of needs can work together, promoting each other for a result that works for everyone.

Select clients

• Center for Social Media & Politics
• Ingui Architecture
• Laura Parker
• LionsMouth Digital
• NHS
• Nick Parker
• of by for
• Outlier Patent Attorneys
• Peascod
• Peter de Haan Charitable Trust
• Raze Consulting
• Rob Luft
• Secure Practice
• Statamic
• Studio 1902
• Typewolf

Sectors I’ve worked with

• Academic & Research
• Arts & Events
• Architecture
• Consultancies
• Ecommerce
• Health & Wellness
• Non-Profit
• Software & Tech

More info at: davesmyth.studio →