My career in graphic design began in London, where I worked with leading design consultancies including Sutherland Hawes and Pentagram. I subsequently established my own design practice, Mellor Design, before founding Hyperinteractive, a pioneering digital creative agency.
My career has also taken me to New York, where I worked as Associate Creative Director at US Interactive. Throughout my professional career, I have worked with internationally recognised organisations including Microsoft, Adobe, Coca-Cola, Getty Images, Mitsubishi Motors, EMI, Virgin Records and the British Film Institute.
My work spans corporate identity, branding, advertising, digital media and emerging technologies, and has received numerous international creative awards, including recognition from D&AD, EPICA, Cannes Lions, Eurobest and the One Show.
Alongside my commercial practice, I have maintained an active involvement in the wider creative industry, serving on international design and advertising juries and contributing to organisations such as D&AD. These experiences have shaped my approach to design education, reinforcing the importance of creative thinking, experimentation, collaboration and the relationship between design and technological innovation.
My transition into higher education began at the University of Leeds before joining the University of Staffordshire in 2012. I bring my professional experience into the classroom, encouraging students to develop their own creative identities, challenge conventions and explore the possibilities of visual communication.
I believe that successful design education should combine creative ambition with practical experience, preparing students not simply to enter the industry, but to help shape its future.
Professional memberships and activities
Academic qualifications
- BA(Hons) Visual Communication
- PGCHPE
- FHEA
Expertise
- Graphic Design and Visual Communication
- Creative Direction and Art Direction
- Corporate Identity, Branding and Brand Strategy
- Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications
- Digital Design and Interactive Media
- Typography and Editorial Design
- Design Thinking, Creativity and Problem Solving
- Emerging Technologies and Innovation in Design
- User Interface (UI) Design
- Animation, Motion Graphics and Multimedia
- Digital Marketing and Social Media
- Design Psychology, Composition and Colour Theory
- Design Education, Curriculum Development and Academic Leadership
- Creative Team Leadership and Project Management
- Industry Engagement and Professional Practice
Research interests
My research interests focus on the evolving relationship between graphic design, emerging technologies and creative practice, with particular emphasis on how technological innovation is transforming the role of the designer.
Areas of interest include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on graphic design practice, creativity and the future of the design profession.
- Emerging technologies and their application within visual communication and creative industries.
- Design thinking, creative problem-solving and innovation.
- The evolution of digital media, interactive design and user experience.
- Design psychology, visual perception and the principles of effective visual communication.
- Experimental typography, editorial design and alternative communication formats.
- The relationship between industry practice and design education, including employability and professional development.
- The future of graphic design education, particularly the integration of AI, digital technologies and evolving industry practices.
I am particularly interested in exploring how AI is reshaping graphic design practice internationally, examining its influence on creative processes, professional roles and design education, and how educators can prepare the next generation of designers for an increasingly technology-driven creative industry.
Enterprise and commercial interests
My commercial interests include graphic design, branding, creative direction, advertising, digital media and emerging technologies. Having founded and directed successful creative agencies in London and worked internationally in New York, I have extensive experience delivering creative solutions for major global brands.
I maintain a strong interest in industry collaboration, consultancy, live commercial briefs and knowledge exchange, particularly where creative practice intersects with technological innovation.
I am keen to explore opportunities that connect industry with higher education, enabling students to gain valuable professional experience while supporting businesses through innovative design thinking and creative problem-solving.
Teaching
As a Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design at the University of Staffordshire, I am responsible for undergraduate teaching, curriculum development and supporting students throughout their creative and professional development.
My teaching spans graphic design, visual communication, typography, design thinking, creative problem-solving, design psychology, digital media and emerging technologies.
I deliver lectures, practical workshops, tutorials and project-based learning, encouraging students to combine conceptual thinking, experimentation and technical expertise to develop distinctive creative solutions.
Drawing upon my extensive international industry experience, I integrate professional practice into teaching through live briefs, industry collaborations, design competitions and portfolio development.
I encourage students to develop their individual creative identities while gaining the confidence, adaptability and professional skills required to succeed in the creative industries.
My responsibilities also include academic mentoring, dissertation and research supervision, assessment and feedback, and the supervision of final major projects.
As Course Leader, I contribute to curriculum innovation, quality enhancement, student experience and industry engagement, ensuring that our teaching remains relevant to the evolving demands of contemporary design practice.
Postgraduate supervision
I work extensively with postgraduate students as an MA supervisor.