About
Advocate verb: to champion a cause or vision
We use the power of brand, web and graphic design to champion organisations contributing to a greener, fairer and better world. Since 2003 we’ve helped our clients to stand out from the crowd, communicate their message, increase their profits, inspire change and achieve their goals.
Our work will make a difference because we’re on your side. We share your vision and we’re passionate about your success. We know how to articulate your aims – and advocate your cause.
People
Creative Director
Our Creative Director and founder is Mark Epton. With over 16 years’ experience Mark has considerable design knowledge and understanding of our clients’ needs.
Prior to setting up Advocate, Mark worked as a designer at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Gaia Books – and at Windpower design consultancy working for the Barbican Art Gallery, Rambert Dance Company and English National Ballet.
Mark has also been a Greenpeace campaigner giving him a deep insight into communicating environmental issues to inspire change.
Associates
When appropriate we work with talented web developers, copywriters, illustrators and photographers – providing you with a bespoke team to match your needs.
Design Business Association
We are members of the Design Business Association. The DBA champions design and professional excellence.
www.dba.org.uk
Testimonials
Caroline Aistrop
Managing Director
Green Spark Marketing
Advocate’s work combines a complete understanding of the ethical approach to running a business and the wide-reaching ramifications this brings, with impressive creative talent that delivers powerful design enabling the client to stand out from the rest. Advocate supplies 110% effort, the research is thorough, and the ethos and goals of the client are absorbed like a sponge. There’s no watering down of effort or vision just because the thinking processes get complicated or hard! I’m delighted with the new name, look and brand for my company which Advocate has created, and I’ve every confidence that these will help the company to gain new customers and achieve its goals.
Jude Walker
Executive Director
Small Woods
Small Woods worked with Advocate to develop a new website, and the process really changed our organisation. Working with Advocate made us look closely at what we do and how we do it, and the analysis and determination brought in by Mark helped to clarify our thinking. Between us we came up with a great website: clear, fast and good looking, and the rebranding really supports what we do. I am very happy with Advocate’s input and approach to the contract.
Ruth Davey
Founder
Look Again
As well as being a great designer, Mark from Advocate has been enormously conscientious and supportive. He has listened to my needs, been clear and flexible and has always gone the extra mile, often beyond his brief as designer. I am now the proud owner of a new brand and marketing materials and I can’t wait to get out there with them!
Jacqueline Smith
Communications Officer
International Migration Institute
I have worked with Mark Epton on the development of a visual identity for a new research programme. He designed the programme’s website and promotional leaflet and will go on to help us with exhibition leaflets, annual reports and so on. Mark has a very thorough approach to design work. I have been impressed with his intellectual engagement with the task at hand: to generate a visual identity that expresses something of what the research is about, but also conveys a certain amount of solidity and gravitas. He is not afraid to play ‘devil’s advocate’ with proposed ideas, which makes for a very robust and well thought-through end product. In sum, I have found the experience of working with Mark very rewarding and I would highly recommend him.
Louise Henson
Managing Director
Forest Peoples Programme
Mark Epton’s patient perseverance in keeping the development of our website going and consolidating an identity for FPP while faced with constantly moving goal posts as well as changing staff, proved him to be an exceptional person to work with. His sensitivity to our concerns, as well as his motivation, commitment and talent steered us through a maze of wants, options and ideas. Thanks to him we got there in the end!
Paul Ryder
Communications Manager
Refugee Studies Centre
The Refugee Studies Centre has been working with Advocate on a wholesale redevelopment of our branding and print design work. Mark Epton has been wonderful to work with throughout and his designs are both clear and ingenious. His understanding of the processes and potential pitfalls of such an undertaking have proved invaluable. Mark’s knack of challenging us in just the right places is uncanny and always fruitful. His genuine interest in our work is reassuring which, combined with his reasonable rates, means we would have no hesitation in recommending Advocate’s services whole-heartedly.
Susannah Wintersgill
Head Internal Communications
University of Oxford
Advocate designed a range of marketing and conference collateral for a university event. The visual identity he created for us was both powerful and flexible, which meant it could be adapted for use across the full range of material, giving the event a clear and coherent identity. Mark Epton was a pleasure to work with throughout the project. Not only was he flexible and accommodating to meet tight deadlines, but he was never afraid to challenge; his approach is one which combines creativity and professionalism. We look forward to working with him again next year.
Richard Young
Policy Advisor
Soil Association
Mark Epton has proved himself to be a talented and creative designer. I have used him to design a campaign report and an appeal leaflet. On both occasions he came up with powerful solutions to difficult problems. He is also an extremely helpful person to work with. I changed my mind several times, adding considerably to his work load, which he cheerfully accommodated. With the appeal leaflet he showed that he has other skills, contributing to the editing and selection process in a very constructive way. I look forward to working with him again.
Adam Ma’anit
Editor
New Internationalist
Mark Epton is flexible, diligent, open-minded and thoroughly literate in the world of graphic design. He’s also not afraid to strike out with some bold ideas and advance an organisation’s thinking about design along the way.
Richard Hussey
Marketing Manager
Good Energy
Advocate has provided an excellent service. It has been particularly refreshing to experience a quick understanding of the brief, see real thought given to a range of creative options and receive thought provoking views on our existing designs, messages and processes. The Good Energy rebranding and advertising campaign were very well received and have directly contributed to record response rates and sales levels.
Charles Couzens
Executive Director
Ecos
Advocate helped us to work through possibly the most difficult and emotive issue for an organisation to address – a name change. Mark Epton was consistent and objective in his advice and helped the board of Trustees come to a decision which will have lasting benefit to the trust.
Jo Badham
Projects Manager
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Mark was a pleasure to work with. His professional knowledge and experience coupled with his understanding of, and enthusiasm for, environmental issues have produced very effective campaign materials for us. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Mark as a designer who is knowledgeable, professional and reliable and who will provide excellent value for money.
Sarah Shoraka
Campaigner
Greenpeace
Mark Epton is extremely motivated and committed to doing the best possible job. His talent is as apparent as his energy and enthusiasm.
This is just a selection of our testimonials. To read more please contact us.
Process
Diagnose the problem
With our problem-solving skills and fresh perspective, we will work closely with you to diagnose your situation and the challenges we need to solve. We'll then hone and clarify your brief, outlining the problem and the desired outcome.
Articulate the brand
We analyse your organisation, objectives, audience and competition. Based on this research we can then answer the three key questions that will form your brand:
• Who are you?
• What do you do?
• Why are you different?
This stage might include naming, brand structure, positioning, values and writing your strapline and core message.
Create an identity
We will create a visual identity that expresses your brand. An identity can consist of:
• A logo
• Colour pallet
• Typefaces
• Style of photography
• Illustration
• Paper stock
A strong brand and identity:
• Gives customers confidence in you
• Differentiates you from competitors
• Raises your profile
• Communicates the benefits of your service
• Unites your organisation
• Brings cohesion to your materials
• Standardises the design of your materials
Design the materials
It’s now all about rolling out your new identity across your materials. This can be anything from online to print, apps to adverts, books to billboards.