Hello – I’m Ethan.

I’m a typographer and information designer, and I’m a recent graduate from the University of Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication.

Most of my work is about helping people understand information. That has meant designing a map for The Cowsey, a woodland in Reading, while working out what people who walk there want. It has meant engaging with external clients to develop books that educate people about their local area. And it has meant building a packaging encyclopedia that won an ISTD merit.

Much of that came through Reading’s ‘Real Jobs’ scheme, where outside clients bring briefs to students and see them through to production. I led the design and installation of our faculty’s 50th anniversary exhibition, working with staff across the Department. The Cowsey map began as a Real Job and turned into a freelance commission from Reading Borough Council and Nature Nurture, which I delivered with my colleague, Malak.

I work from research. Before designing anything, I look at how people will actually use it: what a walker can see from the path, or how a caption reads beside the object it describes. I work mainly in InDesign, Figma, and Illustrator, and when a project needs it, in QGIS, Blender and After Effects.

Away from briefs, I collect fast-food packaging, which is more useful to a designer than it sounds. I also run the Ephemera Society’s social media accounts, which you can follow @theephemerasociety. I’m looking for work in a variety of information design roles, and I’d love to hear from you.