Visual+ Case study
Car Buddy Chat
View project →Hi, I'm Steven,
Designer by training. Developer by trade. Fractional CTO by experience.
I've spent nearly two decades designing and building for the web - starting as a graphic designer, growing into a senior UI developer with software companies and agencies across the UK, and now leading technology for early-stage startups as a fractional CTO from Berkshire.
I've done every job I now lead. When I shape your architecture, review a design, or plan your roadmap, it's with the judgement of someone who has shipped the work themselves - from design systems and e-commerce to SaaS platforms and marketplaces.
When I'm not in front of the computer I love being outdoors. In my current profile picture I'm participating in The Nuts Challenge!
About my work
19+ years experience across design, development, and technical leadership
These days my focus is technical leadership - architecture, product direction, and delivery for early-stage teams. That leadership works because it's grounded in hands-on craft: I've spent my career shipping the work myself, and I still do when it's the fastest way to unblock a team.
Hands-on development
Nearly two decades of production code - HTML, CSS & JavaScript (ES6), TypeScript, React, Next.js, and both REST and GraphQL APIs. I still build, which means my architecture decisions are grounded in what's actually practical, and I can unblock a team from inside the codebase rather than commenting from the sidelines.
Design fluency
I trained as a designer, so I speak the language and dare to make design choices while coding - saving development time and endless back and forth. In product reviews that means I spot what's costing you users, not just what's off-brand, and I won't hesitate to work something out in Figma myself.
Design & Development work
A small selection of projects I've worked on either by myself or as a team
Each piece of work comes with a unique story that I'm proud to be a part of. Each client's online presence reaches its full potential with fantastic UX, accessibility and future-proof scaleability.
Clients past & present
Brands I've worked with both personally and at agencies
From personal sites and startups, to global businesses such as Marks & Spencer, Facebook, Sandisk, Feefo and Lowepro. I have experience across many industries of different scales.
Curriculum Vitae
I have worked on a range of websites and apps for many organisations
I started my journey contracting while studying Graphic Design full time at UWL. Along the way I've worked for fantastic agencies, with amazing brands and picked up some certifications along the way.
Product and Agency Experience
- Fractional CTO
- Coconut Spaces
- 2025 - 2026 -
- Senior React Developer
- Remarkable
- 2025 -
- Full Stack Developer
- My Gym Passport
- 2024 - 2025 -
- Senior UI Developer
- Rawnet
- 2017 - 2024 -
- UI Developer
- The Wedding Shop (via Rawnet)
- 2021 -
- Frontend Developer
- Netmatter
- 2016 - 2017 -
- Graphic Designer / Frontend Developer
- Metakinetic / RHP
- 2013 - 2016 -
- Graphic Designer / Interactive Developer
- Kapang Digital
- 2012 -
Education
- University of West London
- Graphic Design BA (Hons)
- 2008-2012
Certifications / Certificates
Don't take my word for it
Kind words from past clients on their experience working with me
Steven built my portfolio website for me through Wordpress. He understood my needs, and quickly implemented what I wanted, meeting my deadline launch. Steven is highly professional and conscientious in what he does, and is always willing to help. He is a great pleasure to work with and I recommend his services to all.
Excellent design from an amazing web designer! I would definitely chose Steven again to work on my design and web projects and would recommend him to anyone.
This is beyond my expectations and provides more insight to my little site than I even knew was possible. I'm not a web developer but I feel like this audit just gave me a masterclass in it. These audits are clear, concise and packed full of useful and actionable steps to better my business. Thank you.
Steven's audit was a great deal! I have done audits before - but Steven surfaced some items everyone else overlooked. A couple of SEO issues were really low hanging fruits. I have already fixed them 1h after receiving the audit report. Highly recommended!
Work with me
Senior technical leadership, without the full-time hire
I partner with founders and funded teams as a fractional CTO, owning architecture, delivery, and product direction so you can focus on the business.
Every engagement is priced by outcome, not hours. Start small with an audit, or go straight to a retainer.
Technical Audit
A fixed-price review of your architecture, code quality, and delivery pipeline. Delivered in 1-2 weeks with a prioritised roadmap you can act on immediately.
from / £2,500
MVP Sprint
From idea to production platform on fixed-price milestones. Architecture, build, and launch - zero to one in weeks, not quarters.
from / £18,000
Fractional CTO
Ongoing technical leadership on a monthly retainer. Roadmap ownership, architecture, and delivery, typically over a 6-12 month engagement.
from / £3,000 /mo
Just need a website, branding, or design work? That's my studio - Graphics Cove.