Early Skyfox Design

Whilst I was considering naming my company, I happened to unearth an old box of games with ‘Skyfox’ sitting on the top. This was an old Commodore 64 game I played as a child and had completely forgotten. The name resonated with me and ‘Skyfox Design’ was born. My logo developed as a fox’s head with the shape of the cheeks representing wings.

Over the last 15 years this had evolved and simplified into the form below on the right. In recent years I designed many minimalist logos and watched this trend for clarity and simplicity grow. I felt that I could also pair my logo down even further. This lead to the ‘paper aeroplane’ inspired final version below.

2005

When I started university in 2005, part of the course was building our own websites. They advised using Photoshop to build the site using tables and grids. From my years of keeping up with the trends in web design, this did not sit well with me. I knew it would be far more progressive to use newer technology, and at the time Adobe Flash was the best tool for creating showcase sites.

In 2 months I learnt the basics of Flash and decided I wanted to build a site that was unique and had an interactive menu design. I did some research into incorporating a 3D cube with movement physics and ended up with the site below, which you can access here

2010

Even in 2005, with web access on mobile devices beginning, I knew I could not rely on Flash alone as it was unstable on these platforms. So alongside this, I developed a standard HTML partner site. I was never happy with the site separation, and a few years later I went on to develop a new site based on standards-compliant, cross-platform HTML.

This new site embodied my belief in liquid layouts. Where it doesn’t matter what aspect ratio you view the site in, it will reformat itself and look great.

I based this incarnation around a unique navigation system consisting of four main panels: About; Career; Work & Talk. I enjoyed working on this project, especially getting to flex my CSS animation muscles. The main thing missing was a content management system. I designed the current site to address this need, working more with SEO and allowing easier navigation around my various projects.

Due to its extensible nature, I will release the navigation for this site on GitHub as a standalone structure for others to use.

About

About me

and what i do.

WEB DEVELOPER IN BRISTOL

Hi! My name is Piers Elliott and I’m a web developer in Bristol who also works with branding and graphic design. Skyfox Design is the company I created in 2002 as the professional face of my work.

Design has always been a life-long passion for me. From a young age, I enjoyed painting, photography and sculpture. This led me to attain Kings School Winchester’s highest individual accolade for Art. I followed this by studying Graphic Design and Fine Art at college, exhibiting and selling my A-Level work at a prestigious London Gallery. I went on to complete my Degree in Graphic Design and Animation at the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Since 2002 I have worked with a variety of clients as a web designer, graphic designer and a brand consultant. From small start-ups and bars to large charities and festivals. Now, as a graphic designer and web developer in Bristol, I help businesses all over the country achieve their goals. All businesses (big or small) should have memorable, unique concepts that will make them stand out from the crowd. That’s why I do what I do. Vivid identities, user-friendly interfaces, clear communication and a focus on the details.

Plus you’ll get totally awesome support afterwards if you need it!

YOUR NEXT BIG IDEA? LET’S MAKE IT STAND OUT.

BRANDING

So you’re starting a new company, or maybe you’re just giving the old one a bit of a freshen up. I’m here to make sure your company goals and ethos are present and at the centre of your company’s voice. Logo design, business cards, stationary are just the start- a great brand is consistent and pervasive through all areas of communication, even the footers on your emails!

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Have you got an idea you want to get down on paper and you just don’t know how to visualise it? Let’s work together on fleshing it out, looking at your target audience and focusing in on the key information you want to get across. Be it for print, the web or even in motion on the screen, I can help bring your concept to life.

WEB DESIGN

A website is a curious thing. It’s like a store front, only it’s interactive. It’s an advert, yet also a destination. It’s the first port of call people will visit to find out about you, and it’s there 24/7 so it has to make a great impression. I will make sure your site fits your brand, looks great on all devices, is super easy to use and most importantly is easy for you to keep fresh!

What technologies am i proficient in?

HTML 5

CSS 3

JQUERY

PHP

AFTER EFFECTS

ILLUSTRATOR

INDESIGN

PHOTOSHOP

WORDPRESS

MAILCHIMP

Contact

Contact me

and say

hello.

Bristol

More Info

Please feel free to contact me using the form above, or the number below, to discuss anything from the simplest commission to your business goals and how I can help reflect these in your design, branding & web strategies.

Location: Bristol, UK

Phone: +44 7453 322166

WORK