Some background

Dave Roberts - Owner/Designer

After graduating I worked for small design studios in London before taking the position as a designer at The Economist Newspaper. After nearly ten years of involvement with almost all creative aspects of the paper’s design, including illustrations, layout, image commissioning and photography, I moved on to become an independent designer.

Early clients included Practical Law Firm, Baker & McKenzie, the Medical Defence Union and other London based businesses and institutions, big and small.

Later, collaborating with with a long established and respected south London printer, Battley Brothers, I was able work with world renowned clients such as Sadler’s Wells, The Royal Opera House, Almeida Theatre, Barbican Centre and the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies, some of whom I still work with today.

In the same period I took on projects from some of the country’s most respected schools including Dulwich College, St Mary’s Ascot and St Paul’s School. Commissions for a wide range of requirements followed including everything from branding to magazines and building-project fund-raising literature.

Although London based I work for businesses up and down the UK as well as internationally, most recently as far afield as Texas and Florida.

Always keen to collaborate with other organisations, I am very open to reciprocal business relationships.

I am always excited by the prospect of what my next commission will be.

First Presence evolved from Hilton Roberts Design and Arc Design Associates.