Tillie Partridge
Manchester-based designer Tillie Partridge on building a creative identity through experimentation
When it comes to Tillie Patridge’s process, creative experimentation and exploration lead the way. Wherever she can, she uses analogue print processes to create tactile, mixed-media designs. Developing a unique creative identity and getting to grips with her creative drive have been key to keeping the momentum going as a freelancer and building confidence in her practice. Freelancing means playing the long game, Tillie explains below, with plenty of emotional and career growth along the way.
What I do
My creative practice
I’m a multidisciplinary creative designer, combining strategic thinking, experimentation, and visual storytelling. My practice is rooted in conceptual, playful design, spanning analogue and digital work, editorial design, creative direction, brand identities, creative content creation, website design and more. I’m driven by the ideation and experimental phases of the creative process, crafting narrative-led concepts through purposeful, tactile visuals.
Influences and inspiration
- Ray Gun (90s magazine) for their boundary-breaking, experimental approach to editorial design, combining analogue techniques with bold visual storytelling while remaining legible.
- Notamuse for inspiration drawn from the work and perspectives of fellow female designers.
- Slanted Publications for strong design thinking and typographic exploration.
- i-D Magazine for creative direction, cultural research and innovative editorial layouts.
- G.F Smith Colorplan for material exploration, paper stock research and tactile inspiration.
- DR.ME - for thoughtful design work, practical advice, and relatable stories from fellow Manchester School of Art alumni and Northerners.
- David Carson for his playful, collage-led visual language and ability to tell stories through bold, characterful imagery and typography.
- Mixed media creatives I’m inspired by daily include Jasmine Dowling, Ania Augustynowicz-Akardas, Synonime Studio - each distinguished by their experimental, tactile approach and their ability to seamlessly merge materials, textures and visual languages into compelling storytelling.
My training
I studied Art and Design at Leeds College of Art during my college years, which led me to pursue a three-year degree in graphic design at Manchester School of Art. While formal education shaped my foundation, I strongly believe that design does not have to follow a traditional academic route and can be self-taught. Experience can be shaped through passion, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn. Reaching out to others, building connections, gaining work experience or internships, and consistently sharing your work all play a vital role. The more you engage with people, develop new skills and establish your own creative identity, the more opportunities will naturally emerge over time.
“The more you engage with people, develop new skills and establish your own creative identity, the more opportunities will naturally emerge over time.”
Favourite recent project
Tendril is a floral arrangement business whose visual identity I created, drawing inspiration from whimsical and 19th-century Gothic illustrations and typography.
The brand features a hand-drawn, custom logo, developed through detailed typographic experimentation and crafted to reflect the romantic, decorative style of the aesthetic. This involved a comprehensive process spanning research, ideation and concept development through to creative direction and design.
A day in the life
A satisfyingly complete day for me as a freelance creative designer is rooted in balance. It begins with time for creative experimentation, incorporating analogue and tactile elements into projects wherever possible.
Stepping away from projects and my screen to walk through Manchester city centre allows me to gather inspiration from my surroundings while gaining clarity on concept ideas. I aim to keep my day rounded by connecting with clients and fellow creatives, sharing ideas, advice and reflections on the wider creative industry culture.
A starter pack for my job:
- An aesthetically pleasing notebook, filled with to-do lists that rarely get checked off.
- A favourite mug, constantly topped up with cups of tea
- An ever-growing collection of paper scraps and loose ideas
- A GF Smith Colorplan swatch book for endless colour inspiration
- A solid working playlist, ideally something nostalgic from the 90s or early 2000s
- A generously sized external hard drive to hold it all together
Tillie's studio set-up
How I got here
Starting my creative journey
I always felt drawn towards a creative career from an early age. Throughout school, I found myself navigating between interests in photography, art and fashion. These disciplines remain integral to my creative practice today and I continue to weave them into my approach to graphic design.
Studying Art and Design at Leeds College of Art marked the beginning of my passion and understanding of graphic design. It was there that I developed an appreciation for analogue print processes and benefited from being immersed in a diverse and inspiring community of creatives.
The college fostered an environment that encouraged exploration, allowing students to fully pursue their interests, curiosities, and individual creative voices. My degree allowed me to continue to refine my skills and expand my understanding of graphic design.
“Finding purpose in your work and understanding why you create is just as important as the work itself.”
Landing my first few jobs, clients and/or commissions
Securing my first freelance opportunities was challenging and required a significant amount of groundwork behind the scenes. Those initial projects largely came through people within my existing network, which is often the case when starting out. Freelancing is something that develops over time, and it demands persistence, self-motivation and a clear understanding of what drives your creative practice. Finding purpose in your work and understanding why you create is just as important as the work itself.
For me, it took considerable effort before opportunities began to emerge and building an online presence proved essential. Developing a website and portfolio, proactively reaching out to individuals and studios I admired, and consistently sharing my work on social media have been key in generating enquiries and opening up new opportunities.
Biggest challenges along the way
The greatest challenge of freelancing lies in managing all the non-creative responsibilities that come alongside the work - marketing yourself, sending emails, invoicing, constantly following up and proactively reaching out to potential clients.
My social media and self-promotion vibe is…
Schedule dedicated time each day to creating and sharing your work. This helps maintain consistency without the pressure to post every single day.
Playful campaign concept for Gustaf Westman x Ikea
Three things I've found useful in my career:
- G.F Smith Colorplan - for material exploration, paper stock research, and tactile inspiration.
- Cosmos - for research, gathering creative ideas and art direction inspiration
- Adobe software / Figma - crucial for any designer's career
My greatest learnings when it comes to making money and supporting myself as a creative:
Having a backup during the early stages of freelancing is crucial, whether that’s part-time or full-time work, continuing to apply for jobs while freelancing, or connecting with other freelancers, creatives and studios in your area.
Setting your rates can be challenging when you’re starting out; it’s something I’m still learning to navigate, as everyone in the industry operates differently. A key lesson is valuing yourself: your skills, knowledge and ability to deliver quality work to clients should be reflected in what you charge. Equally important is cultivating self-trust, perseverance and the confidence to push through self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
“Your portfolio doesn’t need to be huge, but it should be intentional.”
My advice
My most useful career tips
My most valuable piece of career advice is to trust in what genuinely drives and excites you. When you pursue work you are truly passionate about, it naturally reflects your determination, work ethic and personality. Over time, this authenticity will help you stand out, allowing you to develop a distinct style and a clear set of values that underpin your work.
What I'd say to someone looking to get into a similar role
If you’re looking to step into freelancing as a creative, my biggest piece of advice is to focus on building a body of work that reflects both your skills and your perspective. Your portfolio doesn’t need to be huge, but it should be intentional. Make sure to show projects that demonstrate how you think, not just how things look.
Be proactive about putting your work out into the world. Apply for open calls, share projects online and don’t be afraid to reach out to people whose work you admire. A lot of opportunities come from visibility and genuine connections rather than formal applications.
Finally, give yourself time. Finding your voice, your niche and your client base doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something I am still building myself, and it’s critical to stay curious, keep refining your craft, and not wait until you feel ready to start putting yourself out there.