Daria
Developer
Senior designer. Direct collaboration. No overhead.
I'm Michael Trevatt. I've spent 18+ years designing digital products for companies ranging from global telecoms to early-stage startups. Most of my work is embedded in product teams as a senior specialist. Some of it is full-service design for smaller businesses who get enterprise-grade thinking at a fraction of the cost.
How I think about the work
01
Your brand is a compass, not a treasure map.
No brand guideline can anticipate every situation. But a brand rooted in your values and mission will always provide direction. From first-line support to the board, it helps steer the ship when the storm comes.
02
Good UX is a constant, iterative conversation.
Building great UX is not a one-time project. It is a commitment to a long-term relationship with the customer. You can adapt to modern conventions, but never cut corners on UX when trying to scale.
03
When the market changes, listen. Then act.
Never assume market demand. You need to understand your customer better than they know themselves. The problem you are solving today might not be the one worth solving tomorrow.
Background
Trevatt Design has been running since 2010. The work started before that.
I studied graphic design and illustration at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, then completed an honours degree in semiotics and concept design. That background in how systems of meaning work has informed every project since.
Back in the UK, four years as Creative Director at Gramercy Studios, a digital studio covering everything from CMS platforms and native apps to branding and print. Dinner Twist followed, where the brief was relaunching an entire integrated system for a meal kit business, brand refresh included.
The longest chapter was Truphone. Seven years across two roles, eventually as Head of Design and UX. A complete rebrand of every touchpoint in under a year, design systems for two native mobile apps, B2B and IoT management portals, eSIM management platforms and consumer eCommerce systems. The kind of scale and complexity that agencies charge a lot of money to get wrong.
Since 2022, the embedded work has continued through Mindszi, guiding telcos through digital product transformation in the eSIM space.
Based in Medway, Kent. Available for on-site work in London (35 minutes by train), across the UK, and remotely worldwide.
How I work
01
Embedded in your team
For larger companies, I slot into your existing product team as a senior designer. Daily standups, Slack channels, sprint cycles. I work the way your team works.
02
Full service for smaller clients
For businesses that need a website, brand, or app, I handle the lot. Strategy, design, build, launch. One point of contact with 18+ years of experience behind every decision.
03
Extended network when you need it
Complex projects sometimes need more hands. I work with a trusted network of specialists I can bring in without the overhead of an agency.
| Trevatt Design | Agency | In-house hire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Days | 2 to 4 weeks | 3 to 6 months |
| Who you work with | Senior designer, directly | Account manager | Whoever you find |
| Commitment | Flexible | Project lock-in | Salary + benefits |
| Overhead | None | Agency margins | HR, onboarding, equipment |
| Seniority | 18+ years, guaranteed | Variable | Luck of the hire |
The network
I work alone by default. When a project needs more hands, I bring in people I have worked with and trust. No cold subcontracting, no strangers.
Liza
Designer
Louie Bowers
Brand Designer
Ash Tarhuni
Content Writer
Mani Usman
Software Engineer
Tools and technologies
- Figma
- Claude AI
- React
- HTML / CSS / JS
- Astro
- WordPress
- GSAP
- Git
- Cloudflare
- Tailwind
If you want someone who is committed to the cause, then Michael ticks all the boxes. Michael was instrumental in making things happen and delivering an impressive end result.
Michael is hands down one of the most impressive design professionals I have ever worked with. His approach is grounded in logic, data and problem-solving. He works relentlessly to get under the skin of the customer to ensure his solution is the best at hand.
Michael’s designs exude mastery through simplicity. He is pragmatic, intelligent, and driven ultimately by purpose, value-add and end user experience. He is masterful at bringing visions to life through prototypes. The cherry on top is that he is a great human being.
Michael is an incredible asset to any team. He is absurdly knowledgeable in all aspects of design and UX, and his background as a teacher means he can disperse information to the team in a digestible and interesting way. Not only does he basically do the job of multiple people, but Michael is also fun and a great person to be around.
I have worked with Michael for the last year and he is one of the most structured and process-driven people I have ever worked with. He has a deep understanding of best practices across UX, UI and product design, and his extensive research lets him create audience-led recommendations that bring huge value.
It is almost an insult to call Michael committed. He cares so much about the brand and its value, it puts me to shame. Michael gets things done, and does so with style.
I have worked with Michael as both a colleague and a freelance client, and he consistently impresses me. He is very creative, professional, and always delivers beautiful and thoughtful designs.
Michael is not a resource, he is an asset. One of his best abilities is that he can understand any technically complex concept and present its value proposition instantly. Amazing at design, user experience, and just throwing out some awesome ideas.
How quickly can you start?
Usually within a week of our first conversation. I keep my schedule manageable so new projects get real attention, not a queue number.
Do you work on-site or remotely?
Both. I am based in Medway, Kent, 35 minutes from London by train. Most embedded work is hybrid. Smaller projects are fully remote. I adapt to what your team needs.
Do you work alone or with a team?
Mostly alone, which keeps things efficient. For larger projects I bring in trusted collaborators: a developer, a junior designer, a copywriter. No cold subcontracting.
Think we'd work well together?
Every project starts with a conversation. I reply within 24 hours.
Get in touch