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.
When I’m not working in the studio, you can find me surfing 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 and small. If you’d like to chat about a project, please get in touch:
hi@edharrison.co.uk
My background
I grew up in South Wales, in a creative household surrounded by nature. With three brothers, our spare time was spent making fires, crafting dens, climbing trees, exploring beaches, and surfing waves. We were always building, imagining, and creating.
Over time, each of us carved out a unique creative path: furniture making, digital design, printmaking, and my own journey through illustration, environmental storytelling, and sustainable design.
Tucking in at one of my local (best-kept secret) surf spots in South Wales. Photo credit: Luke Ripley
Planting marigolds (to give the pollinators a little boost) in the veg patch. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond
Heads down in the studio. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond
During the pandemic, I returned to my Welsh roots, spending time in my family home. It was during this period that I discovered the quiet art of growing vegetables, guided by my dad — my garden mentor.
The moments spent planting, tending, and harvesting became a grounding ritual, helping me reconnect with the earth and the rhythms of the seasons. This time deeply nourished my creativity and continues to inspire my work in environmental storytelling and conservation.
Dad passed away in 2022, but his gentle presence is felt every time I return to the soil.
Turning compost and harvesting veggies at home. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
I now reside in Edinburgh, where I work as a freelance artist and designer, and collaborate with my brother James on Under the Skin—a series of endangered species screenprints supporting conservation.
Alongside my creative work, I volunteer as a gardener at the Royal Edinburgh Glasshouses, and I am currently undertaking a part-time ecotherapy course with the Tariki Trust in the Scottish Borders. Both roles deepen my commitment to nature connection, community wellbeing, and environmentally engaged practice.
Sketching sea otters. Photo credit: Alex Sedgmond.
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 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.
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.
What I do
As a multidisciplinary artist and designer, I use clean, compelling visuals to highlight the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
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In today’s digital era, tactility offers a refreshing sense of depth and connection. My papercut illustrations bring ideas to life through intricate layers, creating richly textured, immersive visuals that invite touch and exploration.
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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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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. -
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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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. Picture books transcend age & culture, offering a child’s first encounter with art & narrative. From cover design to narrative, I create books that captivate hearts & minds.
Clients & Awards
I’ve worked with some of the world’s most influential environmental organisations (and had the honour of picking up some recognition along the way...).
Who I've worked with
- Fauna & Flora
- WWF
- Soil Association
- Wildscreen
- RSPB
- Sea Shepherd
- Penguin Books
- Birdlife International
- Rewilding Britain
- The Wildlife Trusts
- Lonely Whale
- Oceanographic
- Dialogue Earth
- Butterfly Conservation
- Marine Conservation Society
- Celtic Deep
- Cheshire Wildlife Trust
- The Scottish Rewilding Alliance
- Fathom Trust
- Swansea University
- Scotland: The Big Picture
- Biodiversify
- Keystone Environmental
- Bats: Research & Training
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
- We Are Makers
