About Me
I'm Gareth, the illustrator and designer behind Pen & Ink Studios, a creative studio specialising in illustration, poster design, branding and visual storytelling. Inspired by the landscapes, history and adventure of North Wales and beyond, I create artwork that combines bold design, strong composition and a distinctive handcrafted aesthetic. My work ranges from vintage-inspired travel posters and commercial illustrations to logo design, merchandise graphics and promotional artwork for businesses, sports organisations and independent brands. Through Pen & Ink Studios, I've collaborated on a wide variety of creative projects, producing branding, event posters, apparel graphics and bespoke illustrations that help organisations communicate their identity and connect with their audience. Every project begins with understanding the story behind a brand, event or idea, transforming it into artwork that is memorable, engaging and purpose-driven. Alongside client work, I run Inner Frame, my Etsy-based print and illustration shop, where I design and sell original artwork based on transportation, engineering, travel history and exploration. Managing a successful online creative business has given me valuable experience not only in design, but also in creating products that resonate with customers, developing collections, and understanding what makes visual work commercially successful. Whether I'm designing a logo, creating a poster series or illustrating a custom commission, my goal remains the same: to produce thoughtful, high-quality artwork that leaves a lasting impression. Specialisms
- Illustration
- Poster Design
- Logo & Brand Identity Design
- Apparel & Merchandise Graphics
- Sports & Event Promotion
- Print & Digital Design
Based in North Wales, I work with businesses, organisations and individuals across the UK and beyond.
Poster Design
Create a vintage travel-style poster series.
- Poster artwork
- Print-ready files
- Digital assets
Creating this poster series has been an enjoyable opportunity to explore some of the most loved destinations across the UK. The process involved visiting locations, gathering reference photography, and experiencing first-hand the places that hold special memories for visitors and local communities alike. The aim of the collection was to celebrate these locations through artwork that evokes a sense of nostalgia while keeping holiday memories alive and giving local residents something to proudly display in their homes. The series has been successfully sold through both e-commerce and print channels and is available in two distinct styles. The first is a landscape format inspired by the golden age of railway and ocean liner travel posters, featuring vintage colour palettes, bold compositions and classic typography. The second is a contemporary portrait format, designed with cleaner layouts, crisp lettering and a more modern aesthetic while retaining the same sense of place and storytelling. Through this collection, I have combined illustration, graphic design and visual storytelling to create artwork that connects people with the locations they love.
Space Poster Series
The Space Poster Series was created from a lifelong fascination with astronomy, science fiction and the endless possibilities of exploration beyond our own world. Inspired by both classic NASA mission artwork and vintage travel posters, the collection reimagines destinations across our solar system as places waiting to be discovered. Each poster combines detailed illustration, bold typography and atmospheric colour palettes to create a sense of wonder and adventure. From the towering storms of Jupiter to the icy landscapes of Europa and the rugged terrain of Mars, every design aims to capture the unique character of each celestial body while presenting it as a destination worthy of exploration. The project allowed me to blend scientific inspiration with creative storytelling, using research, composition and illustration to create artwork that feels both familiar and fantastical. The visual style draws influence from the golden age of travel advertising, encouraging viewers to imagine a future where interplanetary tourism is as commonplace as visiting a national park or coastal town. Successfully sold through e-commerce and print channels, the series has become one of my most popular collections, appealing to space enthusiasts, science fiction fans and collectors of contemporary graphic art. The project demonstrates my ability to create cohesive visual series, develop strong concepts and produce commercially successful artwork that connects with a wide audience.
- Project Type: Illustration and Poster Design
- Deliverables: Print-ready artwork, digital assets, promotional graphics
- Skills used: Digital illustration, Typography, Composition, Colour Theory, Print Design
- Industry: Retail, Art Prints, Home Décor, Science and Education
INNERFRAME – TRANSPORTATION ART & PRINT COLLECTION
Brief
InnerFrame was created to celebrate the machines, networks and engineering achievements that have shaped the way people travel. Focusing on railways, aviation, buses, helicopters and other forms of transport, the collection combines illustration, graphic design and historical research to create artwork for transport enthusiasts, collectors and those with a passion for engineering and travel history. The aim was to develop a distinctive range of prints that captured both the visual appeal and cultural significance of transportation, transforming iconic vehicles and transport systems into artwork suitable for homes, offices and enthusiast collections.
Challenge
Many transportation prints focus solely on technical accuracy or photography. The challenge with InnerFrame was to create artwork that balanced accurate representation with strong graphic design, producing pieces that appealed not only to enthusiasts but also worked as attractive wall art. Each subject carries its own history, character and loyal following, whether it is a famous locomotive, a historic aircraft, a modern airliner or a classic bus. The artwork needed to capture that identity while maintaining a consistent visual style across the collection.
Research & Development
Research forms a significant part of every InnerFrame design. To better understand the vehicles and environments featured within the collection, I regularly visit railway stations, airports, aviation museums, transport museums, preserved railways and heritage transport events. These visits provide valuable opportunities to study vehicle design, liveries, signage, architecture and the details that make each subject unique. Reference photography gathered during these visits plays a key role throughout the design process, helping ensure accuracy while capturing the atmosphere and character associated with each vehicle or location. Alongside location research, I spend time studying historical transport posters, railway advertising, airline branding and technical design references. These influences help shape a visual style that combines elements of traditional poster design with contemporary illustration techniques.
Design Approach
Each artwork begins with research, photography and concept development before moving into the illustration stage. Particular attention is given to proportions, livery details, typography and composition to ensure every piece accurately reflects its subject while remaining visually engaging. The collection covers a wide range of transportation themes, including railway locomotives, high-speed trains, commercial aircraft, helicopters, buses and historic transport icons. While each design focuses on a different subject, they are united by a shared emphasis on clean composition, bold colour and strong visual storytelling. The goal is not simply to depict a vehicle, but to celebrate its place within transportation history and the memories it creates for enthusiasts and travellers alike.
Outcome
InnerFrame has grown into a dedicated transportation art brand, producing original prints for collectors, enthusiasts and transport fans across the UK and beyond. The collection demonstrates my ability to combine detailed research, illustration and graphic design to create commercially successful artwork within a specialist niche. The project showcases skills in visual storytelling, illustration, poster design, product development and brand building, while highlighting a deep appreciation for the engineering, innovation and history behind the world's most iconic forms of transport.
Project Details
Brand: InnerFrame Project Type: Transportation Art Collection & Brand Development Deliverables:
- Railway Prints
- Aviation Artwork
- Bus & Transport Posters
- Collector Prints
- Product Graphics
- E-commerce Assets
Skills Used:
- Illustration
- Poster Design
- Typography
- Historical Research
- Photography
- Brand Development
- Product Design
- Visual Storytelling
Industry: Transportation • Railways • Aviation • Heritage • Retail • E-commerce
Apparel & Merchandise Design.
This collection showcases a series of original apparel graphics created for clothing and merchandise, combining illustration, typography and graphic design to produce distinctive wearable artwork. Developed as independent projects, the collection provided an opportunity to explore visual storytelling, composition and brand-inspired design within a commercial apparel context. Drawing inspiration from adventure, travel, the outdoors and vintage graphic design, each piece was created with wear ability and product appeal in mind. Careful consideration was given to colour palettes, print limitations and garment placement to ensure the designs translated effectively from screen to fabric while maintaining a strong visual impact. The collection features a range of styles, from bold illustrative graphics to more minimal, typographic-led designs. Working within a limited black or white colour palette allowed for clean, effective production while reinforcing the cohesive identity of the series. This project demonstrates my ability to create artwork specifically for merchandise and clothing applications, balancing creativity with practical production requirements. Through concept development, illustration, typography and print-ready preparation, the collection highlights the skills required to produce graphics that are both visually engaging and suitable for commercial apparel. Project Type: Apparel Graphics & Illustration Deliverables: T-Shirt Graphics, Print-Ready Artwork, Merchandise Designs, Digital Assets Skills Used: Illustration, Typography, Apparel Design, Composition, Colour Theory, Print Design Industry: Clothing, Merchandise, Outdoor Lifestyle & Retail
North Wales Dragons – Sports Branding & Promotional Design
Brief
Support the North Wales Dragons Community Football Club through the creation of promotional artwork, team kit designs and merchandise for both the men's and women's teams. The objective was to help strengthen the club's visual identity while producing engaging designs that players, supporters and the wider community could be proud of.
Challenge
Community sports clubs often operate with limited resources while requiring high-quality promotional materials that can compete with larger organisations. The challenge was to create professional and consistent designs across multiple applications, from matchday graphics and social media content to team kits and supporter merchandise. Many projects also required quick turnaround times, with designs needing to be approved, produced and delivered within tight deadlines to ensure products were ready for upcoming fixtures and club events.
Design Approach
Working closely with club officials, players and volunteers, I developed a collaborative approach that ensured the designs reflected the identity and ambitions of the North Wales Dragons. For promotional artwork, the focus was on creating bold and engaging visuals that helped build excitement around fixtures, club events and player achievements. These designs needed to work effectively across social media, digital platforms and printed materials while maintaining a consistent visual style. Alongside promotional graphics, I worked on the design and development of team kits for both the men's and women's teams. Careful consideration was given to club colours, sponsor placement, player comfort and visual impact, creating designs that players would be proud to wear both on and off the pitch. Merchandise design formed another important aspect of the project. By listening to feedback from players, supporters and club representatives, I was able to develop products that reflected what the club community wanted to see in the future. This collaborative process helped ensure that merchandise was not only visually appealing but also meaningful to those connected with the club.
OUTCOME
The partnership has helped provide the North Wales Dragons with a more cohesive and professional visual presence across multiple touchpoints. From matchday promotion and social media engagement to team apparel and supporter merchandise, the designs have contributed to strengthening the club's identity both on and off the field. The project demonstrates my ability to work closely with organisations, manage multiple design requirements simultaneously and deliver high-quality creative solutions within demanding timeframes. It also highlights the importance I place on collaboration, ensuring that the final outcome reflects the needs of both the client and the community they serve.
Project Type: Sports Branding, Apparel Design & Promotional Graphics Deliverables:
- Matchday Posters
- Social Media Graphics
- Team Kit Design
- Supporter Merchandise
- Promotional Artwork
- Event Graphics
Skills Used:
- Sports Branding
- Apparel Design
- Graphic Design
- Typography
- Merchandise Design
- Print Design
- Client Collaboration
- Project Management
Industry: Sport • Community Football • Apparel • Merchandise • Event Promotion
Key Achievements
- Designed graphics and promotional materials for both men's and women's teams.
- Developed bespoke kit concepts and apparel graphics.
- Delivered projects within tight matchday and event deadlines.
- Worked collaboratively with players and club representatives throughout the design process.
- Created merchandise concepts informed by direct community and supporter feedback.
Eddie Dennis – Progress Wrestling Unified Champion Commemorative Tee
Brief
Create a commemorative merchandise design for professional wrestler Eddie Dennis following his surprise return and championship victory at Progress Wrestling's Chapter 95 event in September 2019. The artwork needed to celebrate a defining career moment while creating a visually striking piece of merchandise that would appeal to wrestling fans and collectors.
Challenge
Prior to the event, Eddie and I had already developed and approved an apparel design ready for his eventual return to professional wrestling following injury. The artwork was completed and waiting for the right moment to be released. What nobody anticipated was Eddie's surprise championship victory on the night. Following his title win, Eddie contacted me to discuss updating the design to reflect his new status as Progress Wrestling Unified Champion. With fans eager to celebrate the moment and demand for merchandise at its highest, there was a very limited window to produce and release an updated design.
Design Approach
Working closely with Eddie, I quickly revised the original concept to incorporate his championship achievement while maintaining the visual impact and identity of the approved artwork. The design centres around a powerful illustrated creature motif, symbolising strength, dominance and the significance of his return to the top of British wrestling. A limited palette of black, gold and red was used to create a premium championship aesthetic, while decorative framing elements and integrated typography helped give the artwork the feel of a commemorative collectible rather than a standard wrestling t-shirt. The composition was carefully balanced to ensure maximum impact both in person at live events and as a piece of merchandise worn by fans.
Outcome
I pride myself on going above and beyond for clients whenever possible, and this project was a perfect example of that commitment. Following Eddie's championship victory, I worked through the night and into the following day to revise, finalise and prepare the updated artwork for release. Less than 24 hours after receiving the request, the new championship design was completed and ready for production. The final artwork successfully captured one of the most memorable moments of Eddie Dennis' career while providing fans with a premium piece of commemorative merchandise. The project demonstrates not only my illustration and design capabilities, but also my ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing requirements and deliver high-quality creative solutions within demanding deadlines. Client: Eddie Dennis Project Type: Apparel and Merchandise Design Year: 2019 Deliverables: Championship Merchandise Artwork, Print-Ready Production Files, Apparel Graphics Skills Used: Illustration, Typography, Brand Storytelling, Merchandise Design, Print Preparation, Time Management, Client Collaboration Industry: Sports Entertainment, Professional Wrestling, Merchandise
FIRST 2 AID TRAINING – BRAND IDENTITY DESIGN
Brief
Develop a professional and memorable visual identity for First 2 Aid Training, a training provider delivering first aid education and certification courses. The client required a logo that would communicate trust, professionalism and care while remaining modern, approachable and instantly recognisable across both digital and printed materials.
Challenge
The first aid and training sector is filled with generic branding that often relies heavily on medical crosses and stock healthcare imagery. The challenge was to create an identity that felt distinctive while still clearly communicating the nature of the business. The logo needed to work across a wide range of applications, including training materials, uniforms, certificates, promotional literature, social media and signage. Simplicity, versatility and clarity were key requirements throughout the design process.
Design Process
Every branding project begins with exploration and research. Working closely with the client, I produced a range of initial pencil concepts, experimenting with different visual approaches and combinations of typography and symbolism. The development stage focused on incorporating visual references associated with first aid and emergency response, including heartbeats, medical symbols and directional forms. Sketching multiple concepts allowed us to evaluate different ideas and identify which designs best reflected the values and professionalism of the business. These early pencil drawings played an important role in refining the identity, helping us explore layout, balance and recognisability before moving into the digital design stage. Once a preferred direction had been identified, the concept was refined digitally, simplifying the form and creating a clean, modern logo centred around a stylised heartbeat symbol enclosed within a circular device. The final mark creates an immediate connection to healthcare and training while remaining professional and highly adaptable.
Outcome
The completed identity provided First 2 Aid Training with a distinctive and professional brand that could be confidently applied across all areas of the business. The combination of clean typography and a simple symbolic mark ensures strong recognition while maintaining clarity at both small and large scales. This project demonstrates my approach to logo design, beginning with traditional hand-drawn concept development before progressing through refinement and digital execution. By involving the client throughout the process and exploring multiple creative routes, the final identity was able to balance professional requirements with a unique and memorable visual presence.
Project Details
Client: First 2 Aid Training Project Type: Logo & Brand Identity Design Deliverables:
- Logo Design
- Concept Development
- Brand Mark
- Digital Artwork
- Print & Web Ready Assets
Skills Used:
- Logo Design
- Brand Identity Development
- Typography
- Concept Sketching
- Vector Illustration
- Client Collaboration
Industry: Education • Healthcare • Training Services
Some of our other logo designs
Testimonials
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I asked for a specific locomotive in a specific livery and they did exactly that. I couldn’t be more pleased with the service and quality. Inner Frame Customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Once again you have nailed it! Can't thank you enough Dillad Ffarmwr Bach - Pen and Ink Studios Customer
Let's Work Together
Whether you're looking for custom illustration, poster design, logo development or merchandise artwork, I'd love to hear about your project. I work with businesses, organisations, sports teams and individuals to create distinctive visual solutions that tell stories, engage audiences and leave a lasting impression.
Services
- Illustration
- Poster Design
- Logo & Brand Identity Design
- Apparel & Merchandise Graphics
- Event & Promotional Artwork
- Custom Commissions
Get In Touch
Email: penandinkstudios@outlook.com