Hello! I’m a Central Coast-based graphic designer, retoucher, photo-illustrator, photographer, and illustrator with over twenty years of experience. I started off doing editorial illustrations for magazines which eventually led to graphic design, illustration, and retouching in the advertising industry. While much of my career has been in advertising, I’ve also pursued my passion for the entertainment scene by creating vibrant posters and visual assets for nightclubs and other venues around Sydney. I aim to celebrate colour, energy, and creativity through bold visuals and dynamic storytelling. I hope you enjoy exploring this portfolio.

Richard Hughes

PRO

Hello! I’m a Central Coast-based graphic designer, retoucher, photo-illustrator, photographer, and illustrator with over twenty years of experience. I started off doing editorial illustrations for magazines which eventually led to graphic design, illustration, and retouching in the advertising industry. While much of my career has been in advertising, I’ve also pursued my passion for the entertainment scene by creating vibrant posters and visual assets for nightclubs and other venues around Sydney. I aim to celebrate colour, energy, and creativity through bold visuals and dynamic storytelling. I hope you enjoy exploring this portfolio.

Available to hire

Hello! I’m a Central Coast-based graphic designer, retoucher, photo-illustrator, photographer, and illustrator with over twenty years of experience. I started off doing editorial illustrations for magazines which eventually led to graphic design, illustration, and retouching in the advertising industry.

While much of my career has been in advertising, I’ve also pursued my passion for the entertainment scene by creating vibrant posters and visual assets for nightclubs and other venues around Sydney. I aim to celebrate colour, energy, and creativity through bold visuals and dynamic storytelling. I hope you enjoy exploring this portfolio.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Retoucher, Designer and Finished Artist at Self-employed / Freelance
December 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance work as Retoucher, Designer and Finished Artist; clients include: BMF, M&C Saatchi Sydney, Akcelo, Optus, ARQ Sydney Nightclub.
Senior Retoucher at M&C Saatchi Sydney
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2023
Senior Retoucher responsible for editing and manipulating digital images for print and web; collaborating with art directors, photographers, producers, and clients to achieve high-quality results; colour correction, compositing, and QA.
Freelance Retoucher, Designer and Finished Artist at Cream Studios
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2015
Freelance Retoucher, Designer and Finished Artist; mainly working for Cream Studios, with other clients including Electric Art, Mental Health Association of NSW, Clemenger Melbourne, ARQ nightclub, Vivid, Telstra, Tasmanian Tourism, Newcastle Permanent, Domain.
Retoucher and Designer at Belgiovane Williams Mackay (BWM)
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2013
Retoucher and Designer; photographed elements of larger pictures as needed; co-ordinated retouching, with responsibility as Head of Retouching at times; clients included Qantas, Westpac, GIO insurance, Telstra Bigpond, NIB, Maserati, Alfa, TAB, SBS, ING.
Graphic Designer, Art Director, Retoucher, Finished Artist at Alias Creative Works Pty Ltd
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2006
Graphic Designer, Art Director, Retoucher and Finished Artist; clients included Goldwell, Nads, Terry White Chemist.
Art Director, Graphic Designer and Finished Artist at M&C Saatchi Australia
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005
Dedicated to Woolworths, creating TVCs, Retail ads, POS, Catalogues.
Retoucher and Finished Artist at George Patterson Bates Sydney
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2004
Clients included: Optus, Panasonic, Hyundai, BAT, Arnotts, Kettle Chips, Loveable Bras.
Freelance Illustrator, Retoucher, Designer, Finished Artist at Self-employed / Freelance
December 1, 2004 - Present
Delivered illustration, retouching, and finished art for clients including QANTAS, BMF, M&C Saatchi Sydney, Akcebo, McDonald's, Optus, and ARQ Sydney Nightclub. Worked across editorial illustration, advertising, packaging, and poster design for entertainment venues and local clients. Managed multiple projects with tight deadlines and collaborated with art directors, photographers, producers, and clients to achieve brand-aligned visuals.
Freelance Illustration, Retoucher, Designer, Finished Art at Self-employed (Freelance)
December 1, 2004 - Present
Freelance illustration, retouching, design and finished art for high-profile clients including Qantas, BMF, M&C Saatchi Sydney, AkzoNobel, McDonald's, Optus, and ARQ Sydney Nightclub.

Education

at East Sydney Technical College
January 11, 2030 - March 8, 2026
at East Sydney Technical College
January 11, 2030 - June 8, 2026
at East Sydney Technical College
January 11, 2030 - June 8, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Other, Gaming
    Richard Hughes Portfolio Illustration and Design plus CV 2026
    This is my Illustration and Design Portfolio, plus my CV illustrator graphicdesigner resume
    Salesforce

    Professional photographs were taken of the employees of various companies. It was my job to blend them seamlessly onto various AI-generated backgrounds, correcting the lighting, shadows, reflections, and colour.
    On the left is the final, retouched image, and on the right is image with the unretouched people in there.