Chris Ashworth is an English graphic designer with over 30 years of experience in the field. Before becoming the Creative Director, Microsoft MLD&S Creative Studio he developed his expertise and unique and recognisable style as a designer through may unique positions and projects, from working as the executive global creative director for Getty Images and the art director of the magazine Ray Gun in 1997 to creating the brochure and promotional materials for the first MTV Europe Music Awards in collaboration with John Warwicker and Simon Taylor.
After graduating from the York College of Arts & Technology in 1990 with a degree in graphic design, in collaboration with some friends, he opened a design studio called Orange, which created black and white, easily photocopiable flyers for local nightclubs
Ashworth is inspired by Swiss design aesthetics, and refers to his own style as "Swiss grit". This style is characterised by hyper detail, barcodes, horizontal lines, and the use of multiple transparent layers.
Having worked with culturally impactful organisations such as MTV, Warner Music Group and Image Bank as well as counting 90.9k followers on Instagram in the current day Ashworth can give insightful knowledge into the industry, not only from years long experience but a relevant guide of navigating the ever-changing world of design in the current day.
PastPresentFuture was devised with a simple premise: contributing designers were asked three questions. First, can you remember the first piece of graphic design you saw, when and where was this? Second, what are you working on right now, and third, do you have any advice for today’s graphic design students?