Last updated on 14th February 2026
The last couple of months have been a mix of travel and work. October kicked off with a trip to Florida, and while the second half of October was quieter, enquiries and projects really picked up for the end of the year.
Two weeks in Florida
October started with a 2-week break in Florida – a nostalgic trip full of Disney and Universal theme parks. The highlight was Epic Universe, which only opened earlier this year. Super Nintendo World felt like stepping into a video game, and the attention to detail across the different worlds was on another level.
It was also the perfect chance to test out my new camera and lens, capturing a few snaps along the way. Some of my favourites are below, and you can see more over on my Unsplash account.
A win while away… featured on Creative Boom
Even while out of the office, there was a small win to celebrate. One of my early goals when I switched to freelancing was to be featured on Creative Boom or Creativepool within the first year.
Just three months in, Studio Payne has been spotlighted on Creativepool, and my work has also appeared on Creative Boom! It’s always rewarding to see your work recognised.
You can view the article here: creativeboom.com/inspiration/boom-brief-3-how-you-met-our-challenge-to-brand-a-coastal-festival
A quiet return, but November clicks
The second half of October was quieter, so I focused on outreach for a few weeks. By November, the investment in my own socials, website and local SEO I touched on in Septembers update really paid off. Enquiries picked up, with several new clients and web projects now lined up for the next few months.
Wes Anderson: The Archives
The month ended with another trip to the capital and the Design Museum. Earlier this year I visited for the Tim Burton exhibition, and recently returned for my favourite director, Wes Anderson: The Archives.
His films are known for obsessive detail, but seeing the notebooks, puppets, costumes, props, and more up close was something else.
A busy end to the year
December is shaping up to be my busiest month so far, with multiple websites booked in. I’m looking forward to sharing them soon.
If you’re thinking about a refresh for the new year – whether that’s a website, branding, or graphic design support to make an impact in 2026 – now’s a great time to get booked in (you can view my availability calendar here).
Thanks for reading, and I’ll be back with an end-of-year update.
