About
Hello. I'm a designer, illustrator & creative director on a mission to protect biodiversity on this magical blue marble we call home.
By day, I freelance with environmental NGOs, wildlife charities, and ethical businesses to create impactful campaigns and unique visual storytelling experiences.
With over a decade of experience, I've contributed to addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues of today; from the rewilding of our land to the transformation of fisheries at sea.
By night, I pursue passion projects and side hustles. I craft paper insects by lamplight and contribute to Under the Skin, an art-activism collective with my brother that shines a light on the extinction of species.
I'm inspired to use my creative practice to connect people to nature through workshops, working with Butterfly Conservation on moth education and Swansea University on circular economy workshops.
When I’m not working in the studio you can find me surfing on the Gower or tending to the veg patch — my favourite places to slow down and connect with the land and sea.
I love taking on creative challenges, big & small. If you’d like to chat about a potential project, please get in touch:
hi@edharrison.co.uk
I was privileged to present at Wildscreen's 2020 virtual festival alongside Sir David Attenborough, Dr Jane Goodall & Greta Thunberg.
My background
I grew up in South Wales where I spent my childhood exploring the rugged coastline of the Gower Peninsular. This is where my passion for nature and the ocean grew strong.
In a creative household with three other brothers, each of us has pursued a unique craft: furniture making, digital design, printmaking, and my own path.
Making paper insects in my home studio in Wales. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
Tucking in at one of my local (best-kept secret) surf spots in South Wales. Photo credit: Luke Ripley
Left: Getting changed after a cold winter surf. Right: Framing up for my Insects Unearthed exhibition. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond
During the pandemic, I returned to my Welsh roots, where I had the opportunity to work from a small studio tucked away in the woods. This is when I discovered the art of growing vegetables.
I still garden today. It helps me to slow down, find solace in nature and connect with my late father (my garden mentor) who passed away in 2022.
Turning compost and harvesting veggies at home. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
Art School
In 2012, I earned a BA in Graphic Design from Brighton University, where I honed the fundamentals of my craft: typography, illustration, graphic design, and visual storytelling.
Sketching sea otters. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
Canada
In 2016, I moved to Canada for 2 years, living in my car and travelling between Squamish (climbing), Vancouver Island (surfing), and Revelstoke (skiing).
I documented my journey through short films, drawing inspiration from the people, places, and wildlife I encountered, which still fuels my work as a designer and conservationist to this day.
Under the Skin
In 2015, my brother James and I combined our illustration and printmaking talents to create Under the Skin, a series of endangered species screenprints supporting conservation. This side project grew into our small business, partnering with influential charities like Sea Shepherd, RSPB, and Ol Pejeta.
Working with my brother during an Under the Skin pop-up print workshop. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
In the last decade, the species extinction crisis has only deepened.
We're committed to the ongoing growth of Under the Skin, dedicating our time and skills to effect positive change in the conservation movement. A recent career highlight was launching our award-winning documentary 'The Last Vaquita', which showcases our collaboration as art activists with Sea Shepherd in Mexico to save the critically endangered Vaquita Porpoise.
Opening night of the International Ocean Film Festival with the Under the Skin crew where The Last Vaquita was shortlisted for an award. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
What I do
Through clean, clear, and compelling visuals I can help connect a global audience to your brand.
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Brand identity is more than a logo. It is a visual system bringing together typography, colour, icon systems, imagery, composition and voice. Your identity is what distinguishes you from competitors and creates interest in your service.
My goal is to create experiences to reflect the who, what and why of your brand. -
Illustration and graphic design co-exist within my practice when developing strong visual narratives. I create illustration toolkits as part of brand campaigns and digital experiences, or simply as a single support image for a website, printed publication or social media page.
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I design maps, charts, diagrams, timelines, and systems of graphical elements. My goal is to interpret complex ideas to make them beautifully simple and understandable.
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In today’s digital era your website is your ‘shopfront window’. Having a beautifully crafted website is essential to your brand and its evolution. I work closely with developers to create unique digital interactive experiences and platforms to reinforce your brand voice and service.
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Icons are a universal visual language. Symbols and pictograms can communicate core ideas in a way that is simple, clean, and easy to understand. When used properly, an icon system can negate the need for written language.
When designing icons I ensure they are unified, clean and succinct. -
The world needs stories. For many adults, the combination of words and pictures in traditional picture books were their first interaction with art and narrative. Picture books transcend age and culture, giving children the opportunity to engage in challenging topics. From cover designs to flowing narratives, I create picture books to captivate hearts and minds.
Clients & Awards
I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most influential organisations (and picked up a bit of recognition along the way).
Press & Awards
- Association of Illustrators
- Pressing Matters
- Its Nice That
- Awwwards
- World Illustration Awards 2019
- Another Escape
- Oceanographic Magazine
- Design Week: Young Designer of the Year
- The Hindu Times
