Created by a graphic designer, specifically for graphic designers.
Swwwift is a thriving community exclusively for graphic designers.
ABOUT
Built by someone who understands the industry inside and out, Swwwift is designed to empower, connect, and support designers in every stage of their careers.
Everything you need as a designer in one community.
THE VISION
Swwwift was founded by Ryan Grist, an experienced graphic designer whose career began in 1996.
RYAN’S BACKGROUND
Ryan started in 1996 as a graphic design apprentice but quickly made his mark, becoming the first student in Hereford Art & Design College to complete an NVQ Level 4 and achieving both NVQ Levels 3 and 4 in just two years – half the usual time.
His exceptional work earned him awards such as Part-Time Student of the Year, alongside accolades for his talent, including winning an external design studio competition.
After his apprenticeship, Ryan joined the renowned agency McCann, working on household brands within the Retail Design division. Driven to expand his horizons, he later transitioned to smaller, local agencies to gain broader experience.
In 2003, after being made redundant, Ryan took the leap into freelancing. He worked tirelessly, often freelancing back with former employers while building his own client base. His dedication paid off, culminating in a significant milestone—winning a House of Lords tender, outshining over 35 global agencies.
SWWWIFT
In 2009, Ryan identified an opportunity to create and deliver websites for clients.
Over time, his business evolved, and websites became the core of his offering.
By 2017, Ryan had a new vision: to make websites accessible, affordable, and tailored to graphic designers to sell and earn additional income alongside their graphic design business helping to ringfence clients. This idea became the foundation of Swwwift, which started under a different name and has since grown into so much more.
Today, Ryan pivoted Swwwift as a community and is on a mission to make Swwwift the go-to destination for UK-based graphic designers after not being to find one to use himself. The community provides everything designers need. From community chat and academy resources to job opportunities, websites, and peer-to-peer support.
The pillars, priorities and focus are building on:
1 Wealth
2. Wellbeing
3. Support
4. Knowledge
Swwwift is only for UK-based graphic designers.
Ryan found it difficult to find an online community for just UK-based designers so he decided to build one. In 2024, Swwwift from being just a website platform to now a community.
The community has grown organically and designers get to know each other. So much so they are passing work to each other.
Listen to Vikki Smith. Vikki is a brand and strategy designer in the community. Vikki sums up the spirit perfectly.
A community like
no other.
Discover what Swwwift can do for you!
At Swwwift, we believe in the power of connection and collaboration. Whether you’re here for the supportive community, to upskill through the Academy, to find your next opportunity in our Jobs Feed, or to access top-notch website solutions, Swwwift is here to help you succeed.
Swwwift was built by a graphic designer, for graphic designers. We understand your challenges, celebrate your successes, and are here to provide the tools, resources, and support you need to thrive in the creative industry.
“I wanted to create a supportive and specific community for UK-based graphic designers like no other and feel I created this and it’s growing fast!.“