About Me
The ‘quiff’ and other questions answered…
Who is Steve Pitt, Graphic Designer… I’ve been working with my lovely clients for what seems like a very quick 20 years! There are plenty of other “graphic designers” but there is only one Steve Pitt.
I started my business in 2003 I am about to go into my 22nd year of running my own business but I have been in my ’graphic design world’ for over 40 years…
I started drawing at a very young age, and I found I was quite good at it! From 6 to 16 went to a local Art Club run by an amazing lady, who taught me so much about the world of Art.
In 1983, at age of 16, I went to Stourbridge Art College to do an Art Foundation Course. The first session at Art College was ‘Graphic Design’ which I knew nothing about and a whole new world opened up to me and I decided I wanted to be a ‘Graphic Designer’.
Completed my OND in Graphic Design at Stourbridge, then moved to Manchester to complete my HND in Graphic Design.
Through my college years, almost everything was created by hand! However, in Manchester I got into video graphics and early computer graphics, getting the chance to use a Quantel Paintbox! I started my working life in a video graphics company, but things really changed in 1989…
I enrolled on an evening course in Desktop Publishing on an Apple Mac and got a job in Prontaprint off the back of it! (And met my wife there!) I have been using Apple Macs ever since…
Moved to an ‘Agency’ for 3 years, but then moved sideways into pre-press in 1993, doing a lot of learning with work colleagues, and working alongside an old-school typesetter was invaluable. As the only Graphic Designer in the company, all the graphic design was mine!
Finally, I started my own business Steve Pitt – Graphic Design in 2003.
Some people may know me as “The Graphic Designer with the Quiff” which came from a session of speed networking when I was trying to think of something simple and memorable!
Manchester made a big impact on me, very much into the ‘Alternative 80s’ and then whilst in Manchester, ‘The Smiths’ were introduced to me and changed a lot. I went from long hair to cutting it all off, then styled my hair into a Quiff and it has stayed ever since!
The story now:
Firstly, I create unique visual identities, I work together with my customers to create a confident visual brand. Assisting in a wide range of graphic design collateral – Logo design, brochures, business forms, newsletters, promotional items and much more… From a complete rebranding to a one-off design project.
Secondly, I offer support for other creatives and designers. As a very experienced freelance creative/designer/artworker, with over 35 years in the trade and I only have a few select customers that use me on a regular basis but they like the flexibility and service I offer.
Finally, I work closely with a Sign Making company and have done for many years, so can offer unbiased, constructive advice on cost-effective sign solutions.
Additionally, I also run the networking group “Milk 1 Sugar” I enjoy meeting other business people and it helps keep me sane in the world of self-employment.
A bit about me away from the graphic design:
I like motorcycles… My passion for graphic design has an equal: my passion for riding motorcycles. The feeling of riding a motorcycle has no equal: the joy of a twisty road on a motorcycle! I have been riding bikes since I was 16 and currently have 2 bikes, for the bike geeks, a Yamaha TZR 250 and a Honda CBR 600F. I really like bike racing too, especially MotoGP but I enjoy all racing…
I like music and have eclectic tastes. Friends and family have influenced my tastes over the years from early ‘New wave’ with a friend who was into early synths, my college years in Manchester made a big impact on me, the ‘Alternative 80’s’ and of course ‘The Smiths’. But I enjoy a bit of Artic Monkeys or James Brown, The Who, The Rolling Stones or whatever I discover along the way…
My wife, Pam and I have 2 boys, Harry and Luca, both getting on with their education and lives. Pam has her own sign business and I work closely with her.
With my wife Pam, we have a love of travelling – we have been to America quite a few times – Italy many times and love France too… We now have a camper van and are planning trips in that too…
And I have added kayaking to my list of hobbies recently!
What happens under the quiff?
My approach to graphic design
There’s no secret formula for graphic design, logos or branding. This is a little about my approach to design…
Your ‘Logo’ that represents you and your business — it begins with an understanding of your own unique story. The way you see and experience ‘life’ as an individual, your stories and connections can to lead to a strong emotional tie to your Logo. I help you to break down your logo and what it means to you.
Before you can expect anyone else, any customer or client to understand your logo and resonate with your story, you need to understand it yourself. You need to define key areas of your logo… It’s good to have a story… Be proud of it…
This succinct knowledge, of your business, you can use to be able to create a logo with meaning, one that’s incorporates in some small way your personal story.
I help by asking Questions…
Why do you want a new logo?
How do your customers view you?
6 words that sum up your business?
What feeling do you want to convey?
What is your tone of voice?
If you are proud of your logo, confident in knowing and understanding your own company, products or services and people, when that is represented in a logo that resonates with your customers and potential customers… One that makes a connection and results.
A respected brand can take some time to become established and can be undermined very easliy by poor design. With a weak or inappropriate visual branding, your brand will never differentiate itself from competitors or reach its full potential. You owe it to yourself and your business to look your best, to reassure your current customers and attract new ones.
There’s no secret formula for design of logos or branding. It starts with a meeting… I am happy to meet for an hour.
You can afford 60 minutes, if only to confirm that your branding and visual presentation ticks all the boxes. On the other hand, it might be the best business investment you will ever make. Contact Steve Pitt today…
When I see logo I have designed, working hard for a business, knowing that it’s more than ‘just a pretty logo’. It’s simply makes me feel proud…
Our design agency has been using Steve Pitt as a Freelance for many years.
When we get work in we just can’t manage in- house or a production issue we need advice on, Steve is our go to guy.
Steve just gets on with it from brief to final completed work. I’m always confident its in good hands.
I would recommend Steve Pitt to any design firm with a need for a reliable freelancers to be in your team.
Brendan McMahon
Creative Director
Classic Lines Design
Thank you Steve, for listening and caring and really ‘getting us’, and what we are trying to do and say and be!
Thank you Steve, your professionalism, consideration and creativity are a joy to observe.
Rose Padmore
Professional Conference Organiser (PCO)
Owner Manager at Opening Doors & Venues
I can highly recommend Steve Pitt for Graphic Design services… and continues to provide ongoing design support to assist our business as our brand grows.
Alex Perry, Managing Director
Croftdale Services Limited.