Natalie Hooper
Freelance Multidisciplinary Designer
A versatile designer and true problem-solver with an eye for brand and creative work spanning digital and physical design. Natalie helps ambitious startups and established brands turn complex challenges into clear, considered design across; Graphics, UX/UI & Digital Design.
I recently had the privilege of working with Natalie to capture the story behind her work and the creative thinking that shapes her approach to design.
As a multidisciplinary designer with experience spanning digital interfaces, brand identity and product design, Natalie brings a thoughtful and considered perspective to every project she works on.
Our session was an opportunity to document not only the professional side of her work, but also her fun playful personality, curiosity, attention to detail and creativity that sit at the heart of everything she creates.
Tell us a little about your background
I’m a multidisciplinary designer who began my career working in Formula One and the wider automotive industry, designing digital interfaces and user experiences for complex, high-performance technology.
It was an incredible environment to learn in, where precision, speed and attention to detail really matter. A few years ago, I stepped away from the traditional studio path to go solo as a freelancer. Since then, I’ve worked across a range of industries including technology, sustainability, luxury and property, helping businesses turn ideas into clear, thoughtful design. Alongside client work I also run a small creative side project hand-making ceramics and foil prints, which lets me explore a more playful, hands-on side of creativity.
Where did it all start for you?
Curiosity and creativity have always been the driving force. As a child I was constantly drawing, making things and questioning how everyday objects worked.
When the time came to study, I chose Industrial Design because it straddles so many disciplines. It combined physical products, digital interfaces, human behaviour and visual communication. What fascinated me most was not just how things looked, but how people interacted with them.
That curiosity has never really left. Whether I’m designing an interface, shaping a brand or experimenting in the ceramics studio, the starting point is always the same question: how can this work better for the people using it?
What do you offer?
I help businesses turn ideas into clear, well-considered design.
My work spans UX and UI design, brand identity, visual communication and digital product design, often bridging the gap between early concepts and finished outcomes.
Because my background crosses both physical and digital design, I tend to think quite holistically about problems. I’m comfortable exploring ideas, prototyping solutions and then bringing them to life visually. Clients often come to me when they need someone who can step in, make sense of a complex idea and shape it into something clear, useful and beautifully designed.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in business?
Much of my career has been in industries that are still quite male dominated, particularly Formula One and Automotive. Being a woman in those environments has taught me resilience and confidence in my own perspective.
For me, being a woman in business is about building something on your own terms, trusting your voice and knowing your worth. I think representation matters too. The more diverse the people designing our technology, products and businesses, the better those things ultimately become.
If my work or representation helps even a few more women feel like they belong in creative or technical industries, then that feels like a pretty meaningful outcome.
Who are your clients?
Most of the people I work with are founders, small teams or growing businesses who need strong design support but don’t necessarily have an in-house team. They are often in sectors like technology, mobility, luxury or sustainability, and they value thoughtful design but don’t always have the time or internal resource to develop it properly. They come to me because they want someone who can step in, understand the problem quickly, and turn ideas into clear, high-quality outcomes.
I enjoy working closely with clients in a collaborative way. It’s always more interesting when ideas evolve through conversation rather than appearing fully formed.
Tell me something interesting about the way you work
Joy is a surprisingly important part of my process. Design can often become overly serious, but creativity thrives when there’s space for curiosity and play. That might mean experimenting with ideas during a project, sketching things that might not work, or stepping away from the screen completely to go and make something physical in the ceramics studio. I’ve found that the best ideas often appear when you allow a bit of freedom in the process and I try to keep that sense of exploration alive.
I take the work seriously, but I try not to take myself too seriously. A sense of humour and curiosity go a long way.
What’s next for you?
Right now, my focus is on continuing to grow a sustainable freelance business built around meaningful work and long-term relationships with clients.
I’m particularly interested in collaborating with thoughtful, values-led organisations who are building things that genuinely improve people’s lives.
Alongside that, I’m continuing to develop my creative studio practice, exploring ceramics and print as another way of bringing ideas and a little bit of joy into the world.
It was a real pleasure to work with Natalie and to capture a glimpse of the creative mind behind her work. Her thoughtful approach to design, combined with curiosity, precision and a genuine love of problem-solving, makes her a valuable partner for founders and businesses looking to bring clarity and beauty to their ideas. If you’re building something meaningful and need design that is both intelligent and beautifully considered, Natalie is certainly someone to have on your radar.
