A highly experienced freelance senior designer with over 25 years in print and digital design (and development), I am based in Nottingham, UK and available for remote-friendly projects.
Most recently the Principal Designer at Magento development agency JH, previously I was Head of Design at Contrast and before that, the first design hire at hosting pioneers 20i.
Work.
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pug.js.
I designed the logo for pug.js, an HTML templating language, as a way to give back to the tech community. Read about the process behind the brand’s creation.
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Philip von Nell.
A bespoke eCommerce site for Philip von Nell Wines, crafted to showcase fine wines with a seamless, mobile-first shopping experience using ExpressionEngine and Stripe.
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Fit Property.
Fit Property needed a refined yet distinctive brand to break away from the competition. The result? A sleek, smart logo—featured in Taschen’s Logo Design 3.
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Nimbus.
A complete brand overhaul for Nimbus, redefining their identity in the SaaS market. From logo to website, this transformation made them stand out in a crowded industry.
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Anticipate Invitations.
A bespoke eCommerce solution for Anticipate Invitations, blending CraftCMS and Snipcart to create a seamless, flexible online store tailored to their unique needs.
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Meet Magento UK.
Clean, adaptable branding for Meet Magento UK 2024 that balanced clarity with character. Designed to scale seamlessly across digital, print, and in-person moments.
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Blue Eye Aviation.
The Blue Eye Aviation logo captures the thrill of flight with a Tiger Moth-inspired design, balancing movement and elegance. Read about the creative process behind it.
Happy clients.
About me.
I’m Chris, a full-time freelance website & graphic designer based in Nottingham, UK. I work with industry disruptors and upstart start-ups from all over the world.
Clients of all shapes and sizes trust me to bring their projects to life, from agencies and one-person SMEs to B2B and B2C businesses in the tech sector, eCommerce, and beyond.
Everyone is welcome here!

With over 25 years of experience, I have worked across a wide range of design disciplines. My career started in traditional graphic design and, over the past 10-15 years, has evolved to focus on web, eCommerce, and SaaS product design and development. This variety has afforded me a wealth of both challenges and opportunities along the way.
I founded my studio - My First Raygun - in 2005, and since then I have worked a combination of in-house and freelance roles for agencies and tech companies.
Most recently, I have worked on an overhaul of a global agriculture supplier’s website with mReaction, as they needed a designer who is also a Figma expert.
Before this, I was the Principal Designer at JH, where I worked on eCommerce projects for clients such as Big Bus Tours, Woodie’s, Graham & Green and Wayland Games.
I was also responsible for the update and overhaul of the brand and in-house signage for Meet Magento UK - a conference organised by JH with 750+ attendees - a particularly rewarding project and one I am very proud of. They loved the branding so much, they're using it again for 2025's conference!
You can read more about my approach to branding MMUK in my portfolio.
Much of my career has been in the tech sector, including being the first design hire at hosting pioneers 20i. In that role, I worked as both a designer and front-end developer, creating a framework for rapid build and deployment of the customer control panel and the sales website, both of which I designed.
Before that, I was a senior designer and developer at Heart Internet, where I worked on a major brand and website relaunch - including overseeing a complete code rewrite within a week; the basis of which I would refine and release as Sculpt, Heart's own answer to Bootstrap.
Over the years, I have worked across a variety of industries including health, non-profit, finance, publishing, and education. My projects have ranged from supporting small local businesses in the early days of my career to working with 8-figure turnover giants, both in-house and at agency level.
Experience.
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Freelance
Senior designer
2005 → Current
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JH
Principal designer
2023 → 2024
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Contrast
Head of design
2018 → 2020
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20i
Senior designer
2015 → 2016
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Distinction
Senior designer
2014
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Heart Internet
Senior designer
2013
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Various roles
Artworker & designer
1998 → 2010
- Download my full CV
FAQs.
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What types of projects do you specialise in as a designer?
I primarily focus on the visual and user experience (UX) side of eCommerce and SaaS websites. This includes crafting intuitive interfaces, developing cohesive brand aesthetics, and ensuring a seamless user journey that helps businesses convert browsers into buyers or subscribers. While I occasionally take on other types of website projects, my true passion lies in bringing designs to life from a creative standpoint.
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Why hire a specialist in eCommerce and SaaS design?
eCommerce and SaaS platforms have unique challenges—such as guiding users through subscription funnels, handling complex product catalogues, or showcasing distinctive features. A designer who understands these nuances can create user flows, visuals, and interactions that engage customers and drive revenue. My goal is to combine striking visuals with strategic thinking, ensuring your customers enjoy every step of their journey on your platform.
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Do you also handle development or work with developers?
Both. I'm first and foremost a designer, but I'm also a very experienced developer. If you already have a development team, I can work closely with them, providing comprehensive design assets (such as Figma files, style guides, and UX documentation) to ensure a smooth handover. If you need help sourcing developers, I can recommend reliable partners. I can accommodate smaller-scale builds, but my core focus is on design and user experience.
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What is your design process like?
My process typically starts with a discovery phase, where we'll discuss your brand, audience, and objectives. From there, I'll create mood boards or wireframes to establish the visual direction and user flows. Once you're happy with the overarching look and structure, I'll refine the high-fidelity designs—paying special attention to visual elements, typography, colour palettes, and interactive components. I'll keep you in the loop with regular check-ins to ensure the final result truly reflects your vision.
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How long does it take to design an eCommerce or SaaS website?
Timelines vary based on the size and complexity of the project. A straightforward eCommerce design with a handful of product pages might take 3–5 weeks, whereas a more elaborate SaaS interface—complete with multiple user flows—can stretch to several months. I'll provide a customised schedule once I understand your specific requirements and deadlines.
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How much do you charge for your design services?
Pricing depends on the project scope, the number of templates or user flows required, and the level of customisation. After an initial conversation to understand your goals, I'll provide a clear, tailored quote. If you have a particular budget, let me know and I can suggest design solutions that align with it.
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Will you help me with branding and visuals, like logos and style guides?
Absolutely. If you're just starting out or need a brand refresh, I can help define your visual identity—everything from logo concepts and colour palettes to typography and iconography. This cohesive brand foundation ensures your website design stands out and remains consistent across all touchpoints.
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What if I already have a website but need a redesign or UX improvement?
That's perfectly fine. I can assess your current site's strengths and weaknesses and propose design improvements—whether it's a complete overhaul, a branding refresh, or targeted tweaks to enhance user flows and conversion rates.
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How will my final designs be delivered?
I typically deliver final assets as organised files, typically Figma,along with style guides covering fonts, colours, and any custom components. If you have a developer, I'll collaborate with them to ensure everything is translated accurately from design to a live site.
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I'm interested! How do we get started?
Simply get in touch via email or LinkedIn. We'll schedule a quick call to discuss your vision, audience, and any specific design challenges. From there, I'll create a tailored proposal outlining timelines, costs, and next steps. If you're happy to proceed, we'll kick off the design process and bring your vision to life!
Need some help with a project?
Send some details about what you need to hello@myfirstraygun.studio
I can help design a website from the ground up, overhaul an existing site, build a design system for your product and even get a project that might have gone awry back on track (it happens!).
For some clients I also handle the code, but I prefer to focus on the design.
Currently based in Nottingham, UK and available for remote-friendly work.