Two studios. One creative direction.
A few things we've made happen.
Brands, screens, stages and spaces. Sometimes all in the same project.
Some brilliant brands we’ve created for.
Some ideas don't fit neatly into a box. Good.
A live event might need its own visual identity. A brand launch might need a digital home and a physical experience. An entertainment concept might begin with a story, then need everything from screen content and motion graphics to a production book and someone calling the cues on opening night.
That's why ASCEND and SUBMERGE sit together.
We can work independently through either studio, or bring both sides into the same project when it makes sense. It gives us the freedom to think about the whole experience without forcing an idea into one particular discipline.
Quite a lot, actually.
Two studios, one creative direction. Take one, take both — whatever the idea needs.
Brand, digital and growth.
Point at a service to see what it involves.
Brand strategy & identity
Working out what a business actually is before deciding what it looks like. Positioning, naming, tone, and the identity that comes out of it.
Logo design
A mark that works at the size of a favicon and on the side of a van. Usually several routes, always drawn rather than assembled.
Brand guidelines
The document that keeps a brand looking like itself once other people start using it. Practical rules, not forty pages nobody opens.
Website design & build
Designed and built here, not dropped into a template. Fast, accessible, and yours to edit without ringing us every time.
Website redesign
For a site that works but has stopped earning its keep. Often the structure needs the attention more than the styling does.
Motion & screen content
Titles, loops, edits and the things that play on a screen behind a stage or halfway down a homepage.
Social content & campaigns
Templates and campaigns built so the brand still looks like the brand when someone else is posting at eight in the morning.
ASCEND Print, packaging & merchandise
Programmes, packaging, signage and the merch table. The bits people take home and keep.
Start with the idea.
We ask questions, explore the possibilities and get into the detail before deciding what the answer should look like.
Ideas change once you start making them. We like that bit.
More about us →Design brain. Theatre heart.
ASCEND + SUBMERGE was founded by Elliot Hawker, bringing together a background in design, digital, theatre and live entertainment.
It means we understand what happens on screen, and what happens once the doors open.
Meet Elliot →Don't take our word for it.
“translated our online aspirations into exactly what we had hoped for - visual alchemy”
Elliot immediately understood the essence of Goff Courtney and translated our online aspirations into exactly what we had hoped for - visual alchemy! Plus his patience knows no bounds! Working together as the brand evolves is constantly reassuring and rewarding.
“He took our vision and not only brought it to life, but completely elevated it”
Working with Elliot on our Finesse Stage and Screen website has been an absolute dream. He took our vision and not only brought it to life, but completely elevated it. It looks exactly how we were hoping it would: professional, classy, and perfectly in keeping with our brand. Nothing has ever been too much trouble.
“If you are needing a website or rebrand he is your man”
Elliot has been incredible from the start to the finish. He has designed my brand brilliantly and made it completely me. I would 100% use Elliot again and again. If you are needing a website or rebrand he is your man. Can’t recommend enough.
“Elliot is the best web designer ever!!!”
Elliot is the best web designer ever!!! His knowledge and creativity are incredible.
“Truly the best decision we’ve ever made”
There really aren’t the words to describe what an asset and key part Elliot has been... not only in designing our website, but bringing our new business "Studio to Screens" to life. From our very 1st meeting, we found Elliot to be so invested, interested and inspirational in helping our ideas come to life. He is a genius and will go above and beyond to ensure your needs are met and goals are achieved! I cannot recommend ANYONE more highly than Elliot. Truly the best decision we’ve ever made. Thank YOU Elliot!
“Then I was introduced to Elliot, who has been remarkable”
Having contacted three other providers to redesign an existing website and build and design a sister website both with improved functionality, I was losing faith that I would find a partner to work with. Then I was introduced to Elliot, who has been remarkable. He has such energy for your project, always clear on timescales, which are never missed. He is proactive with driving the project forward and was happy to chase me when I lagged behind but equally quick to respond to any queries I had. Elliot is easy to work and I am absolutely thrilled with the end result. I am really glad that I chose Elliot and his team. I am thrilled that I now get to work with Elliot on a maintenance and support basis too ... genuinely now a partner for my website for a long time to come. If you are considering having a redesign of your website, or building a website from scratch, please take time to chat with Elliot first, you wont regret it
“He was so quick doing in hours what would have taken me weeks”
Elliot has been so efficient to work with! He was so quick doing in hours what would have taken me weeks. His communication is always fast and he really is good at understanding what kind of a site I wanted for my business. He added things that I never would have thought of and had an amazing concept of what my site/business could be. Delivery was on time and spot on. He goes above and beyond. Would 100% recommend for a professional, prompt and approachable designer.
“the epitome of ‘professional’, with added class and originality”
Elliot has been an absolute joy to work with. I am so happy with the design and functionality of my website and that’s all down to Elliot’s creative flare and attention to detail. Elliot has gone above and beyond to make sure my needs were met, always available and willing to soundboard ideas, always quick to respond and it is evident he approached this project with a deep understanding of how a website can contribute to a thriving business. I would recommend Elliot in a heartbeat-his work and customer service is the epitome of ‘professional’, with added class and originality.
“Nothing is too much trouble”
Highly recommend Elliot for your website needs. He was an absolute pleasure to work with. He totally revamped my old website with little input from myself, which was invaluable, allowing me to concentrate on my business. Nothing is too much trouble and he goes above and beyond his initial spec without adding on extra costs. Elliot has also been a great support after the project finished assisting with additional requirements. Nothing is too much trouble. Such an asset to any business.
“He managed to take the images from my head and create exactly what I wanted”
Elliot has been a dream to work with on my new website. After attempting and failing to create one myself I found Elliot and I’m so glad I did. He managed to take the images from my head and create exactly what I wanted. He was patient and accommodating throughout, working through any changes I wanted to make. The outcome is amazing and I look forward to working with him throughout the year adding to and developing the website as my business continues to grow. Thank you Elliot!!
“Thank you for making a dream of mine come to life”
Elliot has been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole process of designing my website. He is professional, helpful, and goes above and beyond in all aspects. Nothing is too much hassle for him, and he replies to messages almost immediately. He is fantastic at choosing really modern up to date designs and just knows what works well together. I would highly reccomned Elliot to anyone. Thank you for making a dream of mine come to life!
“He takes the time to listen to what your vision is and puts it into reality”
Elliot has been fantastic to work with. He takes the time to listen to what your vision is and puts it into reality. He is so up to date with design and colour trends to help your business stand out for the right reasons. I love my new logo and website and I get so many compliments on it all thanks to Elliot!!
“a young, exciting web designer”
Elliot is a pleasure to work with. I didn't have any set ideas of what I wanted for the re-branding of my pet treats website and so I left it to him to design something fresh and exciting - and this was definitely achieved! The layout and colours used are certainly not something I would have thought to use but they really work! Elliot is so easy to work with, approachable and efficient. He shared his ideas and visions and then put them into production. I have only received positive feedback on the website and this is certainly down to him. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a young, exciting web designer.
“patient and knowledgeable and very quick to respond”
We are extremely happy with the results. Elliot was patient and knowledgeable and very quick to respond at all times. He also made some very appropriate suggestions with lots of creative input. It has been a pleasure to work with Elliot on this project and we have had some very positive feedback from members of the dance school.
“Would definitely use again”
Super happy with his work on my email marketing campaign & improvements on my website, also with my print outs designed. Would definitely use again.
“His technical work was excellent”
Elliot Hawker was hired to refresh and update the Revision Killer website. I found his advice to be creative and helpful. His technical work was excellent. I was very happy with the end product and have confidence the website provides the best possible showcase for my SQE Study Notes. I would recommend his services.
“He understood what I wanted straight away”
I really enjoyed working with Elliot. He understood what I wanted straight away and designed a beautiful Phoenix for me. He also included a wide range of different logos to choose from, should I need to add them to social media, business cards and my website. Elliot went out of his way to help me and I thoroughly recommend him.
“came up with good ideas to help my existing website”
Elliot know his Wix :) Happy to recommend him. Quick turnaround and came up with good ideas to help my existing website.
“professional yet personable”
Elliot was fantastic, professional yet personable. He solved all my website problems, and explained what he was doing every step of the way. I will be using him going forward for any website and design projects that I have. Thanks Elliot.
Behind the curtain.
Designing New Experiences for Virgin Voyages A collection of new Happenings for Valiant Lady and Brilliant Lady, plus a reimagining of a few guest favourites. Every one of them started with a question rather than an activity. Why the Best Brand Systems Borrow From Theatre Most brand guidelines read like instructions for a machine. Use this blue. Never rotate the logo. Keep 40 pixels of clear space. All correct, and all completely uninterested in the thing a brand is actually for, which is making someone feel something. Structure first, then the moment Theatre people understand a thing most brand strategists don't say out loud: the technical stuff — blocking, lighting cues, the exact second a door opens — exists entirely in service of a moment the audience... It's Showtime: What We Learned Launching Undertow We staged a swimwear launch in a decommissioned public pool. On paper that sentence should have set off every alarm a production team owns. Somehow it didn't, and here's roughly why. The venue was the idea Undertow didn't need a venue dressed up to look like something else. It needed a room that was already, structurally, about water — just drained of it. We spent more time on what to leave alone than what to build. Guests moved through the old changing rooms before they reached the pool... Got something in mind?
A new brand, a website, a live experience or something that doesn't quite fit into a neat category yet. We like an interesting brief.