My career bridges technology and culture.
I am recognised internationally for my hands-on analog design work over the last 3 decades for bands and brands including Bush, Michael Stipe, Ray Gun, EA and Nike.
For over two decades, I’ve worked as a senior creative leader across some of the world’s most culturally iconic projects in technology, music and design. I know how to build brands across complex organisations from the inside out: setting vision, leading teams, and shaping work that delivers creatively and commercially. My focus is bringing clarity, creativity, and purpose through work that inspires teams, builds loyalty, and helps people realise their potential.
I founded and led Microsoft’s Seattle-based 25-person in-house Brand & Creative Studio, launching some of the company’s most iconic products: Microsoft Copilot, Windows 11, Surface, Edge, and Microsoft 365, within a unified, evolving brand system.
I am a huge advocate and believer in human creativity and a hardback 488 page monologue of my work and perspective - Disorder: Swiss Grit Volume II – was published in Spring 2025 by Thames & Hudson.
I am the current Art Director and Designer of MARVIN magazine, the quarterly oversized West-Coast-based bible of music and style.
A new ‘sound in print’ book will be published in Spring 2027.
Disorder: Swiss Grit Volume II. The Typography and Graphic Design of Chris Ashworth. A 500-page monograph exploring my creative journey. Hardback, Published by Thames & Hudson, 2025. Cover lyrics by Underworld. Foreword by Marvin Scott Jarrett. Afterword by Adrian Shaughnessy.
Established in 2023 with my partner and powered by handcrafted human creativity – with limited edition premium apparel, Sound in Print art and original (archive) design work all available to own.
PRESS
I’ve been fortunate to have my work published in over 100 international publications, exhibited at V&A and Tate Britain and featured alongside Banksy and Shephard Fairey. Selected Interviews/Features:
Selected Magazines: IDEA, Eye, BranD, Sleek , Graphik, Slanted, i-D, Free Time, The Face, Creative Review, Monster Children, IdN, Blueprint, Communication Arts, Print, Emigre, DJ Magazine
Selected Books: The History of Graphic Design, Taschen, The Graphic Design Bible, Prestel, How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul, Laurence King, Typography Now 2, Booth-Clibborn Editions, 30 Essential Typefaces for a Lifetime, Rockport, Ray Gun: The Bible of Music & Style, Rizzoli, Look at This, Laurence King, Graphic Design: A Users Manual, Ginko Press. Graphic Events: A Realist Account of Graphic Design, Onomatopeenet, Fax You, Booth-Clibborn Editions, 20th Century Type, Gingko Press.
TALKS
I regularly give talks sharing my creative approach and published work followed by an audience Q&A. Recent venues include: UAL Chelsea, Norwich University of the Arts, Cambridge School of Art, Unitom Manchester, The Crossing Birmingham, Sheffield Hallam University, Blueprint Falmouth, Falmouth University, Leeds Arts University, University of Lincoln, Utah Valley University, Amazon Headquarters, Seattle.
GALLERIES
A new collection of signed limited edition screen printed art celebrating the iconic Britpop era, with more music genres coming this year.
A range of Swiss Grit and music inspired handmade posters. Sizes: S 18” x 24”, M 24” x 32”, L 30” x 40”, £220. Printing: Giclee prints on archival paper. Complimentary framing (or choose to have no frame). Sustainably sourced satin finished wood frames in black / white / natural wood colours.
“All that matters is that you are making something you love, to the best of your ability, here and now”, Rick Rubin