Cartoon representation of Christopher Dowson Name for cartoon

Designer.
Developer.
For hire.

Crafting brands & websites (plus all the bits inbetween) for SMEs, agencies & start-ups since 1998.

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.

  • Anticipate invitations
  • University of nottingham
  • Myzone
  • Mmuk
  • Flexy
  • Royal mail
  • Vinterior
  • Nimbus


Happy clients.

  • Christopher quickly understood what was needed, worked smoothly with our team, and was proactive. His knowledge, flexibility and collaborative approach made him a real asset to the project.

    Kate Prowse, Account Director

    Kate Prowse, Account Director
    mReaction

  • Christopher is a master at turning chaos into clarity. Whether working with fragmented design systems or complex UI challenges, he has an extraordinary ability to transform the disjointed into something truly exceptional.

    Jamie Huskisson, CEO & Founder

    Jamie Huskisson, CEO & Founder
    JH

  • It's rare to find strategic thinking designers that also have the ability to create awesome designs. Chris' attention to detail is off the chart, allowing him to make even the simplest designs look beautiful.

    Helen Lawton, Marketing Director

    Helen Lawton, Marketing Director
    Nimbus

  • Chris had a wealth of expertise and knowledge and I had full confidence that he would be able to meet and exceed all of the project's various requirements. I'm so pleased with the final result, not only in the visual appearance, but in its back-end functionality as well.

    Michael Musser, Owner

    Michael Musser, Owner
    Anticipate Invitations

  • Always a pleasure working with Chris, he has a real eye for the latest design. Would definitely recommend and I intend to use him again for my next project.

    Tim Brealey, Co-Founder

    Tim Brealey, Co-Founder
    20i


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!

Christopher Dowson, a freelance senior designer in Nottingham, UK

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.

  • Freelance
    Freelance

    Senior designer

    2005 Current
  • JH
    JH

    Principal designer

    2023 2024
  • Contrast
    Contrast

    Head of design

    2018 2020
  • 20i
    20i

    Senior designer

    2015 2016
  • Distinction
    Distinction

    Senior designer

    2014
  • Heart Internet
    Heart Internet

    Senior designer

    2013
  • Various roles
    Various roles

    Artworker & designer

    1998 2010
  • Download my full CV

FAQs.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.