I believe all great opportunities start like all great relationships, with a drink & a chat (gin often helps to kick start things, but then, so does coffee). This is exactly what led me to running a design studio in the tropics; a chat and an after-party at the Northumbria Graduate Show with an offer to take up the position of Programme Leader of Fashion Marketing for their partner university in Sri Lanka. After 7 years in Graphic Design roles for fashion brands in London, it was time for something new. Sometimes life throws you a shot that’s too good to pass up, even if it puts you way out of your comfort zone. Fast-forward 3 years and the role as Programme Leader taught me all of the key skills of running a business; leadership, scheduling, hiring, motivating designers, delivering critiques and feedback, working to deadlines, writing briefs and a Masters Degree in Google Drive organisation.With a growing number of design graduates and an influx of new local and foreign businesses opening to cater to the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, it seemed a logical next step to open a design studio that filled the gap in the local for branding new businesses. Now a successful creative studio that is gaining traction both on and off the island, I lead a small, yet growing, team of designers to create brands with a strong focus on original concept and story-telling, always with a sense of humour and a personal, illustrative touch. Since opening, we have created brands for both local and international clients, for a variety of sectors including tourism, hospitality, fitness and wellness as well as providing graphic design services for Interior Design and fashion brands. Reach me at amy@studioniceone.com if you would like to connect..Key Skills: Concept Creation | Brand Strategy | Graphic Design | Brand Design | Leadership | Education & Creative Workshops | Illustration | Pattern & Print Design | Graphic Design for Apparel |