Available to hire
Hi, I’m André van der Ploeg, a freelance senior graphic designer with 20+ years’ experience creating brand-led design for hospitality, food & beverage, retail and lifestyle brands. I specialise in menu design, in-store and promotional materials, and digital content that enhances the guest experience while staying true to brand guidelines.
I’m highly hands-on across Adobe Creative Suite and comfortable working remotely with international teams, managing multiple projects and delivering polished, detail-driven work to tight deadlines. My approach blends strong visual craft with commercial awareness, ensuring every touchpoint looks considered, consistent and engaging.
From menu refreshes to multi-channel campaigns, I bring clarity, reliability and creative quality to every brief.
Experience Level
Work Experience
Senior Creative at Self-employed
January 1, 2014 - PresentFreelance creative direction and design across retail, lifestyle, travel, FMCG and hospitality. Delivered brand refreshes, packaging, campaigns and multi-channel assets for clients in the UK, US and South Africa.
Group Creative Lead at Individual Restaurants Group
February 1, 2025 - October 15, 2025Drove the creative vision across a portfolio of UK restaurant brands, leading internal and external teams to develop campaigns and experiences that elevated the guest journey; delivered consistent brand storytelling across print, digital and in-venue environments; balanced strategic oversight with hands-on creative execution; aligned output to business objectives and evolving customer insights.
Creative Director at G Touring
July 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Owned the creative strategy for the Travelsphere and Just You brands, shaping positioning and storytelling across all platforms; led a 9-strong in-house team to deliver a full brand refresh and creative platform across all channels; worked with the Senior Leadership Team to align creative direction with commercial strategy.
Creative Director at G Touring
July 1, 2024 - October 15, 2025Led continued creative direction for Travelsphere and Just You; established an award-winning in-house culture; oversaw TV, radio, digital, social and print campaigns; collaborated with SLT to ensure creative alignment with business goals.
Creative Director at TeamITG
July 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Led creative output for clients including KFC, Macmillan Cancer, GBK and NISA; managed a team of seven designers and artworkers across integrated campaigns; ensured high-quality creative delivery and client satisfaction.
Creative Director at Magnet Harlequin (Williams Murray Hamm)
October 1, 2017 - October 15, 2025Oversaw branding and packaging design projects across retail and FMCG; directed teams of up to 11 designers and artworkers across both agencies; led projects for Tesco, Dunelm, Costa, Heinz, Network Rail and more; managed creative delivery, client relations and studio performance.
Founder & Creative Director at Bubblewax Creative
January 1, 2014 - October 15, 2025Founded and scaled a boutique brand and packaging agency; led strategy and creative for clients including Nestlé, Traditional Brands, Water Research Commission, Simba and Purina; built and managed a high-performing team, winning major pitches and long-term accounts.
Creative Lead at Brother Design
January 1, 2009 - October 15, 2025FMCG private label packaging and branding; worked on major supermarket brands, balancing creative excellence with commercial needs.
Senior Creative at Self-employed
January 1, 2014 - PresentFreelance direction and design across retail, lifestyle, travel, FMCG and hospitality. Delivered brand refreshes, packaging, campaigns and multi-channel assets for clients in the UK, US and South Africa.
Group Creative Lead at Individual Restaurants Group
February 1, 2025 - October 15, 2025Drove the creative vision across a portfolio of UK restaurant brands, leading a team (including external agencies) to develop campaigns and experiences that elevated the guest journey. Delivered consistent brand storytelling across print, digital and in-venue environments. Balanced strategic oversight with hands-on creative execution. Aligned creative output to business objectives and evolving customer insights.
Creative Director at G Touring
July 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025Owned the creative strategy for the Travelsphere and Just You brands, shaping positioning and storytelling across all platforms. Led and restructured a team of 9 (designers, artworkers & copywriters) to create an award-winning in-house studio. Drove a culture of continuous improvement and a strong collaborative team approach. Delivered a full brand refresh and creative platform for both brands across all channels. Worked with the Senior Leadership Team to align creative direction with commercial strategy.
Creative Director at G Touring
July 1, 2024 - October 15, 2025Continued leadership of the Travelsphere and Just You brands, evolving positioning and storytelling across all touchpoints; managed a team across design, artwork and copy, delivering campaigns across TV, radio, digital, social and print; delivered brand refresh and cohesive creative platform across channels.
Creative Director at TeamITG
July 1, 2022 - October 15, 2025Led creative output for clients including KFC, Macmillan Cancer, GBK and NISA, managing a team of 7 (designers and Creative Heads) across integrated campaigns.
Head of WMH Adaptive / Creative Director at Magnet Harlequin (Williams Murray Hamm)
October 1, 2017 - October 15, 2025Oversaw branding and packaging design projects across retail and FMCG; Directed teams of up to 11 designers and artworkers; Led projects for Tesco, Dunelm, Brakes, Costa, Heinz, Network Rail and more; Managed creative delivery, client relations and studio performance.
Founder & Creative Director at Bubblewax Creative
January 1, 2014 - October 15, 2025Founded and scaled a boutique brand and packaging agency; Led strategy and creative for Nestlé, Traditional Brands, Water Research Commission, Simba and Purina; Built and managed a high-performing team, winning major pitches and long-term accounts.
Creative Lead at Brother Design
January 1, 2009 - October 15, 2025FMCG private label packaging and branding; balanced creative excellence with commercial needs.
Senior Creative - Self-employed (Freelance) at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 2014 - PresentFreelance creative direction and design across retail, lifestyle, travel, FMCG and hospitality. Delivered brand refreshes, packaging, campaigns and multi-channel assets for clients in the UK, US and South Africa.
Group Creative Lead at Individual Restaurants Group
August 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025Drove the creative vision across a portfolio of UK restaurant brands, leading a team (including external agencies) to develop campaigns and experiences that elevated the guest journey. Delivered consistent brand storytelling across print, digital and in-venue environments. Balanced strategic oversight with hands-on creative execution. Aligned creative output to business objectives and evolving customer insights.
Creative Director at G Touring
March 1, 2018 - July 31, 2020Owned the creative strategy for the Travelsphere and Just You brands, shaping positioning and storytelling across all platforms. Led and restructured a team of 9 (designers, artworkers & copywriters) to create an award-winning in-house studio. Drove a culture of continuous improvement and a strong collaborative team approach. Delivered a full brand refresh and creative platform for both brands across all channels. Worked with the Senior Leadership Team to align creative direction with commercial strategy.
Creative Director at G Touring
August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2024Owned the creative strategy for the Travelsphere and Just You brands, shaping positioning and storytelling across all platforms. Led and restructured a team of 9 (designers, artworkers & copywriters) to create an award-winning in-house studio. Drove a culture of continuous improvement and a strong collaborative team approach. Delivered a full brand refresh and creative platform for both brands across all channels. Worked with the Senior Leadership Team to align creative direction with commercial strategy.
Head of WMH Adaptive at Magnet Harlequin / Williams Murray Hamm
October 1, 2014 - October 31, 2017Oversaw branding and packaging design projects across retail and FMCG sectors. Directed teams of up to 11 designers and artworkers across both agencies. Led projects for Tesco, Dunelm, Brakes, Costa, Heinz, Network Rail and more. Managed creative delivery, client relations and studio performance.
Founder & Creative Director at Bubblewax Creative
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014Founded and scaled a boutique brand and packaging agency. Led strategy and creative for clients including Nestlé, Traditional Brands, Water Research Commission, Simba and Purina. Built and managed a high-performing team, winning major pitches and long-term accounts.
Education
Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphic Design at York
January 11, 2030 - October 15, 2025Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphic Design at York
January 11, 2030 - October 15, 2025Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design (HND) at York
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025Qualifications
OPSIS Leadership & Management Programme
January 11, 2030 - October 15, 2025OPSIS Leadership & Management Programme
January 11, 2030 - October 15, 2025OPSIS Leadership & Management Programme
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025Industry Experience
Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods, Other
Experience Level
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