Matthew Luxford · Senior Web Designer luxfordm@gmail.com · Surrey / Remote Open to senior roles · 2026
Senior Web Designer 18+ years working end-to-end: UX, IA, UI, design systems, front-end
I'm a Senior Web Designer based in Surrey, UK. I work end-to-end across UX, UI, brand and design systems, sitting comfortably between users, business and engineering. Currently freelance and open to senior roles in 2026 — remote or hybrid, worldwide.
I'm a dad of two and a recently converted road cyclist (apologies in advance). When I was permanent, I was always chasing the next job title, grinding towards design director. Since going contract, that's changed — I care about the work, not the title — and I genuinely love getting stuck in. Full-cycle work, from kickoff brief through to delivery, is where I'm happiest. I've worn a lot of hats, so I talk to developers without the ego and translate between design and code.
More recently, I've been actively exploring AI — not as a replacement, but as a tool. I'll use whatever level works: design, code generation, or the latest trend. If it makes me more efficient and helps me deliver better work, I'm all in.
Led creative direction, UX and UI for Lifecake (now BackThen), a family photo-sharing platform with 3.4M+ users. Only web designer on a 5-person team that won Apple's award out of thousands of App Store submissions. Overhauled the native app (iOS & Android) and web platform with new brand identity, tone of voice, and user-centred design practices.
Senior individual contributor on the web team. Crypto moves fast, and so did we — designed across product and engineering on a live trading platform, with review cycles measured in hours, not weeks. NDA on the work itself, but the pace raised my baseline for what shipping fast actually looks like.
Head of Design across all digital communications. Owned brand consistency, creative direction, and user-centred design practices end-to-end — small team, big remit.
Led ground-up component rebuild with efficiency at its core. We identified poor-performing components caused by responsive breakpoint issues and text overlays constraining vehicle imagery. As one of two senior leads on a six-person team, rebuilt the site piece-by-piece over 6 months, creating reusable components to ensure the platform was future-proof and scalable. Contracted in to run Figma workshops, set up the component library, and established Principle animation patterns for interactive states and transitions.
Led creative direction and UX/UI across multiple digital projects. Strategically updated the booking flow — within the first month post-launch, analytics showed a 500% increase in booking enquiries. Also refreshed brand positioning and overhauled the native app (iOS & Android) to improve booking, event organisation, and payment flows.
Led creative direction, UX and UI across native app (iOS & Android) and web for a 3.4M+ user family photo platform. Owned the brand identity refresh, tone of voice, and embedded user-centred design practices across the business. The Apple Best of 2019 win is detailed in the Notable Achievement spotlight above.
Long-term contract designing fully responsive tools and platforms for Jaguar Land Rover's global digital presence. Managed design teams, ran design workshops, and presented to build teams and global stakeholders. Worked on 'Help Me Choose,' Customer Portal, Comparison Tool, Navigation as a Service, and Global Navigation — balancing user needs with business goals across 27 markets and dual brands.
UI design across four native iPad & iPhone apps for a Tier One ASPAC bank as part of an innovation lab and business transformation project.
Short-term contract providing creative oversight of all design output. Evaluated work, created pitch presentations for prospective clients, and guided the design team on art direction and quality standards.
Led two major projects (Slaughter and May, GLL) and managed other designers. Client-facing role presenting all UX and UI work, creating mobile prototypes, and producing digital and functional brand guidelines.
Led creative direction of the business, implemented new working methodologies, and participated in strategy planning. Managed a team of 6 designers, supported their career development, and provided creative oversight and design standards. Last permanent role before going contract-only.
Senior Designer at Big Group and Global Beach. Digital Creative Lead at JPMH and Bell Design. Digital Designer at Galileo London and Wickedweb. Where the craft was sharpened.