You deal with me directly
There's no account manager in the middle. The person you brief is the person drawing your project.
About
Hi, I'm Russ.
I'm an exhibition and experiential designer, draughtsman, 3D visualiser, steel detailer and photographer, with a graphic designer's eye and a builder's knowledge of how things go together. For thirty years I've been helping event companies, contractors, fabricators and private clients turn ideas into things that get built, in the UK and abroad.
Background
Raised in the workshop
I grew up in the workshop. From the age of three I was at my grandfather's side. He was an expert machinist and fabricator, and he taught me steel craft, welding, milling and turning. When I wasn't with him, I was on site with my uncle Russ, a general builder who showed me how to cut rafters, lay bricks, batten and tile, and do proper carpentry. I owe both of them more than I can say. They're the reason every drawing I produce is drawn by someone who knows how it will be built.
I then spent ten years as a sign writer, which is where I learned graphic design. Every job started with a layout: choosing the typeface, spacing the lettering, designing logos and preparing the artwork for production. I still use Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign every day, and I bring the same eye for type and layout to drawings, presentations and branding. In that trade a misplaced letter or a badly spaced word is there for everyone to see, so you learn to check everything. That's a habit that I've kept.
Later I trained as an exhibition builder and worked between the drawing studio and the workshop. On the computer I did design, visualisation and artwork. On the tools I built, and I programmed and ran three-axis CNC machines to turn designs into real exhibition pieces and artworks. Since going freelance in 2012 I've contributed towards multiple Olympic games, stadium seating, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, modular structures and major events on the world stage for clients in the UK, the United States and the Middle East.
Away from the desk I'm a pianist, composer and arranger. I play as a session pianist and love collaborating and recording in my studio at home.
Experience
Where I've worked
- 1996–2006
Sign maker & graphic designer, East Sussex
- 2006–2012
Exhibition builder & designer, bench joiner & CNC programmer
Working across the studio and workshop on exhibitions, events and fabricated artworks. Programmed and ran three-axis CNC machines.
- 2012
London 2012 Olympic ceremonies
Cable management and structural work on the special effects for the Opening Ceremony, and design support on special effects for the Closing Ceremony.
- 2012–2015
Guess fashion & jewellery displays
Designs for Guess fashion and Guess jewellery displays, including the Guess stand at Baselworld 2013.
Read about Baselworld 2013 ↗ - 2014–now
HeavyDeck & Ultra Heavy Deck (UHD)
Leading development of the high-performance HeavyDeck modular flooring system. Developed Ultra Heavy Deck (UHD), a compatible, higher-capacity system.
- 2015
Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition, London
Designs for the Patek Philippe watch exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London.
Read about Patek Philippe, London 2015 ↗ - 2017–2018
CHOGM 2018 and the London Somalia Conference
Lead photographer at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London and the London Somalia Conference, photographing members of the royal family, Commonwealth heads of government and senior UK ministers.
- 2018–2022
Formula 1, PGA and LIV Golf events
Event and temporary structures for Formula 1, PGA and LIV Golf events, mainly in the UAE.
- 2020–2022
London Stadium, north and south seating banks
Designed and detailed the large north and south seating banks at the London Stadium, home of West Ham United.
- 2024
Paris 2024 broadcast studios, Trocadéro
Main structural detailer on the temporary broadcast studio complex facing the Eiffel Tower, where the world's broadcasters were based during the Games.
- 2025
Bentley pavilion, Goodwood Festival of Speed
Structural detailing of Bentley's largest ever Festival presence: a purpose-built, two-storey building with a 500 m² footprint and over 200 tonnes of steel.
Read it here: Bentley press release ↗ - 2026
Making the world a better place
Working on multiple projects of every scale, from smaller domestic improvements to projects of national infrastructure.
Why work with me
What you can expect
Design that respects the build
Workshop and site experience means designs are practical to fabricate and install, not just good to look at.
Drawings that are checked
Dimensions, notes and revisions are rigorously checked against regional building codes before anything leaves my desk.
Metric or imperial
I work fluently in both and convert between them on the fly, so I can collaborate with internationally diverse teams and co-ordinate a successful project delivery.
International experience
I've delivered projects for clients in Europe, the Middle East and the United States so I'm at ease working across Western and Gulf business cultures.
Current tools and methods
I'm a Vectorworks expert, trained in Advance Steel and Revit and I use the entire Adobe suite along with 3ds Max, so I work with the latest industry standard tools. I can provide training and support to design teams when needed.
Toolkit