Hello! I’m Rachael, a freelance illustrator and brand identity designer with 12 years' experience bringing campaigns, brands and books to life with bold colour palettes, painted and printed textures, hand lettering and a little paper cut magic. My speciality is to create a real, tactile and human feel to brands. I have lots of experience in brand identity design, art direction, web design, design for print advertising, book cover design, social media advertising, animated gifs and of course – illustrated graphics. I love to really dig deep into a project, get to know the client well and their target audience, and really get to grips with their desired look and feel. Creative problem solving is my favourite thing to do ever, and I relish the challenge of a design having to work hard across so many platforms and mediums. I'm usually UK-based, but exploring while designing is a passion of mine. Reach out if you'd like some vibrant designs filled with character and fun.…

Rachael Horner

Hello! I’m Rachael, a freelance illustrator and brand identity designer with 12 years' experience bringing campaigns, brands and books to life with bold colour palettes, painted and printed textures, hand lettering and a little paper cut magic. My speciality is to create a real, tactile and human feel to brands. I have lots of experience in brand identity design, art direction, web design, design for print advertising, book cover design, social media advertising, animated gifs and of course – illustrated graphics. I love to really dig deep into a project, get to know the client well and their target audience, and really get to grips with their desired look and feel. Creative problem solving is my favourite thing to do ever, and I relish the challenge of a design having to work hard across so many platforms and mediums. I'm usually UK-based, but exploring while designing is a passion of mine. Reach out if you'd like some vibrant designs filled with character and fun.…

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Rachael, a freelance illustrator and brand identity designer with 12 years’ experience bringing campaigns, brands and books to life with bold colour palettes, painted and printed textures, hand lettering and a little paper cut magic.

My speciality is to create a real, tactile and human feel to brands. I have lots of experience in brand identity design, art direction, web design, design for print advertising, book cover design, social media advertising, animated gifs and of course – illustrated graphics.

I love to really dig deep into a project, get to know the client well and their target audience, and really get to grips with their desired look and feel. Creative problem solving is my favourite thing to do ever, and I relish the challenge of a design having to work hard across so many platforms and mediums.

I’m usually UK-based, but exploring while designing is a passion of mine. Reach out if you’d like some vibrant designs filled with character and fun.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Illustrator & Graphic Designer at Self-employed
February 1, 2014 - Present
Art direction, branding, typography, website/UX design, design for advertising on web and print, PowerPoints, vector icons, infographics. Illustrations and infographics for small businesses, charities, arts events and festivals.
Graphic Designer & Content Editor at Responsible Travel
August 1, 2018 - August 1, 2021
Website/UX design, email design, presenting designs to directors and developers, branding design, PowerPoint design, bespoke illustration, infographic design, copywriting, proof-reading, content building, QA testing, photo editing.
Mid-weight Graphic Designer at Boundless by CSMA
August 23, 2023 - October 1, 2025
- Design for email and social media campaigns (mix of static and motion) - Design for paid ad campaigns (mix of static and motion) - Web and UX design - Design for print including brochures, large format posters and magazine adverts - Illustrated advertising campaigns for community events (across social media, email, web page design and for mobile, tablet and desktop) - Video editing and animation (for online events). Led design and execution of new intros and outros for online events which included promoting Boundless - Packaging design - Branding for new products - Presentation of ideas to marketing managers and directors - Keeping brand guidelines up to date and safeguarding brand code use - Streamlining workflow wherever possible - Internal illustrations and icon design - Acquisition video concept design and asset design and hand-off to animator - Good understanding of marketing funnels, target audience groups and understanding of acquisition and retention strategies - Merchandise design (eg. tents and fabric walls for use at events) - Occasional copywriting and proof-reading
Head of Brand and Operations at Gold Project Management
October 7, 2025 - Present
Manages business operations including proposals, client onboarding support, and strategic coordination behind the scenes. Heads up brand and marketing strategy. Oversees SEO/GEO for website content and creates content for blogs and social, creates design assets and ensures brand alignment.

Education

BA (Hons) Illustration at Falmouth University
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013
A-Levels at Beverley Join Sixth Form
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2009
GCSEs at Beverley High School
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Illustration
September 27, 2010 - June 25, 2013

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Travel & Hospitality, Consumer Goods
    paper Christmas at the Royal Pavilion

    After successfully pitching against other illustrators and designers, I was tasked with creating an illustrated campaign to promote a range of Christmas events running at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, to be used in OOH marketing around Brighton and East Sussex, as well as online and in editorial advertising.

    The design had to be used across the web and social, as well as on billboards, tall flag banners, posters and leaflets as well as on site advertising.

    The events advertised included the annual ice rink, Christmas carols in the Music Room and Christmas banquets in the Banquet Hall as well as Father Christmas and a mouse trail for children.