Rob Castles
Creative Director
Rob has over 20 years experience in graphic design. He can turn his hand to any project, enjoys a challenge and is always willing to learn something new. He likes to keep an eye on developments in design and technology.
Loves: Good quality coffee, running to keep healthy
Michelle Garnett
Editorial Director
A highly skilled and experienced editor and writer, with mean subbing and proofing abilities when time allows. An amazing eye for detail, yet is able to take a wider view of all projects that go through Red Onion.
Loves: Reading a good book, country walking and maps
On Rob: “As Editor of House Beautiful I needed an Art Director that understood the vision for the magazine and was able both to match our high standards and evolve the design. I needed someone who would be just as happy leading a team of designers as working independently. Rob stood in for my Art Director admirably”
Julia Goodwin, Editor, House Beautiful
On Michelle: “Michelle was regularly booked in to provide an extra pair of editorial hands. She’s fantastic to work with – a great writer and copy editor, and very experienced when it comes to commissioning features and contributing to the overall editorial process. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Michelle again and would highly recommend her.”
Nichola Browne, Editor, Bauer UK
On Rob: “His help on magazines and publications throughout my time at both The Who Cares? Trust and The Guinness Partnership has always been excellent – easy to work with, with a fantastic eye for getting a design to achieve an objective, attention to detail, quick turnarounds and the flexibility that, let’s be honest, design projects sometimes need! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him for a moment.”
Oliver Wilkinson, The Guinness Partnership
On Rob: “Rob is the ultimate professional and a joy to work with. Not only is he creative but commercial as well which makes answering any brief so much more successful. I could not recommend him more highly.”
Inca Waddell, Marketing Director at Phaidon Press
On Rob: “Rob has been a help working in a freelance design capacity. He interprets and understands a brief quickly and produces work, answering the brief, that is both creative and well thought through.”
Adrian Morris, Art Director, Sunday
On Rob: “He has brought creativity and a real contemporary edge to our magazines for young people in care. Rob’s designs are inspiring and thoughtful, fun and engaging. His experience and enthusiasm for design shine through. Rob is professional, warm, and respectful… I highly recommend him!”
Emma Price, Publications Manager, Become
CIPR Highly Commended
2015 – For the work Red Onion provided on the internal magazine for Circle Housing
Featured Spotlight
2017 – FM Magazine cover picked to feature on the homepage of this popular portfolio website
2016 – Phaidon magazine picked to feature on the homepage of this popular portfolio website
CASE International Silver Award
2018 – Design of a Data and Analytics brochure, on behalf of the University of Essex
2017 – Redesign of the alumni magazine Essex Effect, on behalf of the University of Essex
100 + shares
2018 – LinkedIn feature about graphic design trends in 1 week received over 3000 views, 400 likes and 100 shares, from industry professionals worldwide