Who We Are

Hughes Design Co. is an award-winning design and branding studio based in the coastal town of Whitstable, led by founders, Jon and Vicki Hughes.

We help our clients engage with their audiences through simple, thoughtful and effective design.

We love working closely with our clients to create engaging visual narratives, in print and on line, that really connect with their customers.

We pride ourselves on our focus and ability to take care of every detail, no matter the budget or scope of the project.

Every project is treated individually with a tailored solution, handcrafted for each client. And it’s because of this personal approach that we continue to work with our clients over time, adding chapters to their brand stories as their ideas develop and grow.

What We Do

Choosing the right name for your new venture can be a daunting task. Not only should it link to what you do but it ought to engage your customers too. Let us help you get wordy with some big ideas of our own.

Your identity is a combination of everything that makes your brand stand out from everyone else and engage with your audience. It’s your logo, fonts, typography, colours and patterns, graphics and imagery, illustration and voice – everything that speaks for your brand.

Illustration and graphic design are core to our brand storytelling and visual narratives. We’ve designed posters and brochures, leaflets and adverts, and illustrated cards, children’s characters and fantasy worlds.

Telling your story online is an essential part of modern business. We build all of our websites using WordPress which offers a huge amount of affordable functional flexibility to our clients. Whether you need a simple brochure website, a fully-stocked e-commerce shop or an e-learning platform, we can build it.

We have a strong background in packaging design – Jon cut his teeth designing packs for Chanel, Estée Lauder, Boots and M&S. We’ve since created packaging for cosmetics brands, premium vodkas, artisan food companies and clothing boutiques. We try to design covetable packaging that really lets customers judge a book by its cover.

What People Say

Charlotte and I have worked in educational and trade children's publishing for many years. When we set up Reading Fairy classes and story events we wanted a strong character brand and overarching look that appealed to children, parents and educators in the pre-school activity market. Jon and Vicki delivered just that - and more!

To date, Jon and Vicki have worked on the overarching brand, core marketing collateral, our activity class backdrops and around 100 different lively and engaging activity sheets for use in our weekly classes. This is a complicated process, not least as Reading Fairy classes are run across the country by franchisees in many locations.

We love working with HDCo. They offer the perfect balance between professionalism and creativity. Sometimes it's like having an in-house team even though we work at a distance. And when things don't quite go as planned, Jon and Vicki are flexible and willing to find creative solutions through any issues that naturally arise in projects of this scale. They are super organised, timely and great value.

We look forward to continue our work with them in the future!

Emily & Charlotte - Reading Fairy Founders

From concept to deliverable product – HDCo are the complete package and consummate professionals at all times. Plus they are bloody good fun to work with! So great on all levels. Highly recommended.

Director – Augusta Kent

We LOVE!!!! So exactly what we wanted, cool/paired down but fun and ‘approachable’ at the same time. So happy! Thank-you so much…

Co-founder – Chilli PR

HDCO have been amazing at helping me get started with my business venture. As a new business I was fresh off the block and needed guidance to create a striking brand, with a logo, website and marketing material. Their approach was perfect for me; they connected with me and my business ethos. They were able to understand the quality of my approach and transposed that beautifully, into material that is stunning and effective. All of the material that they have created, has a commonality and a strength of branding, as well as being timeless and stunning. They have now completed a number of projects for me, collaborating closely with me and the result is one that I am very proud of. If you want your business to stand out, for all of the right reasons, then Jon and Vicki Hughes, will do their magic for you.

Tracey - MOTH Therapies

Thank you for producing a beautiful website and getting me in front of clients who wouldn’t have engaged with us otherwise.

Director – ISON Travel

…There is no doubt in our minds that the work done by HDCo during the product development was fundamental in the success of the BigDog brand.

MD – Intime Percussion

When I started building my business last year I realised I needed help with my brand and website so contacted Hughes Design Co. I found them to be very friendly, clear and professional with their advice and now have a brand and website that I am very proud of. I have many comments on how professional my website island since it has been live I have found a sizeable increase in the amount of new enquiries regarding my services. Jon and Vicki at Hughes Design Co are both professional and creative to a very high standard and offer fantastic ongoing support. Highly recommended!

Chris Findeis - CF Therapy

From the moment I first met with Jon and Vicki I felt confident that they would deliver a professional service. Jon and Vicki took the time to listen to my requirements for a logo and website, made suggestions that fitted in with my concept and respected my decisions. Jon and Vicki have provided me with ongoing support as required and always respond promptly to my e-mails. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jon and Vicki’s service; Jon and Vicki are so enthusiastic about the work they undertake, their enthusiasm together with their friendly but professional approach made HDCO the ideal company for me to work with.

Sue - See The Wood

It was a huge relief when a friend recommended Vicki and Jon to me to design my business logo. I'd had a difficult experience beforehand and ended up with a logo that wasn't really me. Admittedly I didn't really know what I wanted to start with so I knew I was going to be a challenge to someone, but after just one hour with Vicki and Jon, I was completely on the right track as they figured me out pretty much straight away. They were so easy to talk with and made the whole process exciting. They explained everything clearly and made me feel confident in myself again, even when I knew I was asking the most ridiculous questions! Simply put, they helped me to put 'me' onto paper and I am so grateful to have met them, I now have the most beautiful logo that fits me and my business perfectly.
Thank you! x

Jules - Autumn Holistics