SK DESIGN STUDIO

21/08/2026

Being self-employed definitely has its challenges (I’ve already shared a few of those!), but there are so many things I genuinely love about it too 🫶

I love the flexibility. I love getting to know my clients properly. I love that no two projects are ever the same, and that I’ve been able to shape my business around the work I enjoy most 💙

Some days are chaotic, especially with two little ones keeping me on my toes, but having the freedom to work around family life is something I never take for granted 🙏

I know self-employment isn’t for everyone, but for me, despite the occasional wobble, I really can’t imagine doing anything else 🤩

If you’re self-employed too, what’s your favourite thing about it? 💭

07/08/2026

I don't think I chose my niche... I think it chose me.

When I first started SK Design Studio, I said yes to all sorts of projects.

Logos, leaflets, brochures, exhibition graphics, adverts... if someone needed a designer, I was happy to help.

But over the years I started noticing a pattern.

The projects I looked forward to most were always the ones with lots of information to organise. Brochures, presentations and reports, as well as things like workbooks and guides. The kind of projects where design isn't just about making something look good - it's about making it easier for people to understand.

Those are the jobs where I can happily spend time thinking about the best page layouts, how everything flows, the typography and how a reader moves through the document.

Looking back, it feels obvious now.

I've simply followed the work I enjoy most, and that's led me to where I am today.

I'm a big believer that when you enjoy what you do, you usually produce your best work too.

Has your career taken a direction you never expected? I'd love to hear how you found your niche.

03/08/2026

When people hear 'graphic designer', they often picture logos, branding or social media graphics.

Whilst I still enjoy those projects, over the years I've realised the work I love most is publication design.

Reports, presentations, brochures and workbooks. The documents that help organisations communicate important information clearly.

There's something really satisfying about taking pages of content and shaping them into something that's easy to read, easy to navigate and enjoyable to use.

My latest project has been a 76-page workbook for the NHS, and it's reminded me exactly why I've chosen to specialise in this area.

Good design isn't just about making something look nice. It's about helping people understand the message.

And that's the bit I love.

I've actually written a blog about how I came to this decision and why publication design has become my niche. If you'd like to read the fu

26/07/2026

Had a lush time in the sunshine on Friday taking the kids to see the ‘hop hops’ on the St Oswald's Hospice Peter Rabbit trail! 🐰

Obligatory stop at Ouseburn Farm Seven Stories and to make a lovely afternoon of it 🥰

21/07/2026

Self-employment isn’t all pretty coffee photos and colour palettes... although there is quite a lot of coffee. ☕

I genuinely love what I do, but there are definitely bits that don’t always make it onto Instagram. 👀

Some days I struggle to switch off. Some days I spend far too long tweaking something that nobody else would even notice. And marketing my own business? That always seems to end up at the bottom of the list because client work comes first.

Throw two little people into the mix and life is a bit of a juggling act these days, but somehow it all works. Most of the time anyway!

The funny thing is, I wouldn’t swap it. I love the flexibility, the creativity, the variety and the people I’ve met through running SK Design Studio.

These are just a few of the realities that come with being self-employed.

I’d love to know... if you run your own business, what’s the bit you find hardest? 🤔 💭

18/05/2026

Allow me to reintroduce myself… 👋🤓

I’m a wearer of many hats and spinner of many plates; still loving being a graphic designer around the demands of family life. My love for design is still very much grounded in everything I do 💙

I’m working more productively than ever with my designer hat on, and have just finished a cracking brand identity.

I’m almost done on a workbook for the NHS, and a booklet resource for a physio, all whilst developing my offer to niche down on brochures, reports and presentation design 💥 the stuff that truly makes an impact in getting my clients results 🙌

Looking forward to showing you the finished articles! 👩💻 👀

07/04/2026

A day off with my boy to start the school holiday juggle 💚

Thank goodness for shift work, grandmas, nursery, flexible working, WFH, and holiday club… and my diary which lets me know who’s where at any one time 😵‍💫

We’ll make it work, the kids will be happy, the parents will be tired and the deadlines will me met 💪

03/04/2026

A fairly accurate representation of what I spend my time doing 😅

It might look like a lot of tiny tweaks, but it all adds up to something that feels clear, consistent and much easier to use.

And that’s the bit that really matters.

28/03/2026