Falcons & Allies

Falcons & Allies is David Baker, a Digital Product, Service and Experience Designer based in the West Midlands, UK.

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as a designer with over 25 years of experience, crafting intuitive and engaging experiences across a broad spectrum of products, platforms, and industries. My journey has spanned in-house roles, agency positions, and freelance projects, all driven by a passion for solving complex challenges and creating seamless user journeys that align user needs with business goals.

I never stop learning. My expertise encompasses creative direction, branding, user interface design, user research, information architecture, accessibility, and service design. I have a strong record of leading teams, and taking design projects from the initial concept to completion, working closely with cross-functional teams, and performing usability testing to validate and refine design solutions.

As a designer, I am dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that positively impact users’ lives. My approach is always user-centred, emphasising empathy, creativity, and continuous iteration. With a sharp eye for detail, I constantly seek opportunities to enhance usability, accessibility, and the overall quality of the products I work on.

On this site you’ll find a small selection of personal client work, please get in touch if you’d like to see my commercial portfolio.

If you have a project you’d like to discuss then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Skills

Service Design

Creating, optimising, and improving services to ensure they are functional, user-centered, and efficient. I blending aspects of design thinking, user experience (UX) design, business strategy, and systems thinking to build end-to-end services that meet both user and business needs.

User Research & Empathy Building
Service Blueprinting
Journey Mapping
Prototyping & Testing
Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Management

Product Design

Blending creativity with user-focused functionality, I deliver projects from ideation through to prototyping, designing engaging and intuitive interfaces. My goal is to create solutions that enhance user experiences, resonate with audiences, and contribute to business success.

UI Design
Wireframing and Prototyping
HTML/CSS/JS
Interaction Design

Design Systems

I bring extensive experience in designing and building government level design systems that establish a consistent, efficient, and cost-effective framework. This approach streamlines both design and development, reduces design debt, sets accessibility standards, and enhances overall consistency across the product.

Content strategy
Component & Pattern Libraries
Design Tooling
Integration Testing

Brand Design

With a history ground in Graphic and Brand Design I love crafting experiences for new and existing brands. I combine creativity with a strategic insight to craft compelling visual identities that resonate with target audiences and embody a brand’s values. Creating cohesive designs that communicate a brand’s message consistently across all touchpoints, from logos and typography to digital assets and packaging. By deeply understanding market positioning and audience needs, they develop memorable, impactful designs that foster brand recognition and loyalty.

Brand Design
Brand Strategy
Visual Design
Creative Direction
Art Direction

Digital Accessibility

I have won national awards for my approach to inclusive design. I bring a deep understanding ensuring that digital products are usable for people of all abilities. Applying accessibility standards and best practices across projects, enhancing usability and compliance while fostering inclusivity. With expertise in evaluating websites, applications, and digital content for accessibility, they address barriers for users with disabilities and collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement accessible solutions.

Accessibility Consultancy
Digital Accessibility Specialist
Inclusive Design Lead
Web Accessibility Analysis

Microsoft SharePoint

I’ve created custom, user-friendly SharePoint sites that enhance collaboration and productivity. Tailoring layouts, navigation, and functionality to meet specific organisational needs, optimising user experiences while ensuring seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 tools. With a focus on user accessibility, branding consistency, and efficient workflows, i’ve helped transform SharePoint into a powerful, intuitive platform for document management, communication, and data sharing.

SharePoint Designer
SharePoint Administration
SharePoint UX/UI
SharePoint Content Management

Portfolio

This is a small selection of personal client work. To view my commercial work, please get in touch.

Reel-Tek-flag — Reel Tek
Bringing a fresh change in style for an established drum and bass collective

aotr-wall-sticker — Artisans of the Ride
An identity for a new bike shop and cafe in the Swiss Alps.

allergi-lert-thumb — Allergi-lert
Designing an app to track a child's allergy information

Beecan-Door — Beecan
Designing a product to empower shop owners and savvy shoppers

Testimonials

David is a pleasure to work alongside. He’s a valuable team member who always adds value to any project. Very results focused he always strives to deliver the best product possible every time.

I look forward to working with him again in the very near future.

Nathan ColeDirector – NCVC–Linkedin Profile

I’ve been fortunate to work with some really good designers so far in my career, but I have to say that David is the best I have worked with.

He has worked on several projects of mine, and I have found his work second to none, he has a canny ability to understand the project very quickly and produce amazing work. He is excellent at communicating, keeping in touch throughout the process.

Michael WeaverLinkedin Profile

Working with David has been an absolute pleasure. He is incredibly talented and his work is always impeccable. I contacted him after seeing some of his web design work and a couple of weeks later he was already building what I think of as the perfect website for my business.

Communication throughout the process has been excellent and I really can’t thank him enough for his services. I would recommend David to anyone who is looking for outstanding Web Design work and I look forward to working with him again in the future

Irene PieraDirector – Irene Piera Films–Linkedin Profile

David was an absolute pleasure to work with. I contacted him a couple of months ago as a new freelance photographer with a need of a fresh and unique website.

David made the process quick, easy and stress free, taking my website ideas in mind and bringing them to life. Everything that David designed I loved and that was down to his great communication throughout the whole process.

I can’t recommend David enough for Web Design work. He not only understands your needs and aims as a client, but goes above and beyond and amazes you with his creativity and vision. I’m really looking forward to working with David again in the future.

Alanna HarmsworthDirector – Alanna Harmsworth Photography–Linkedin Profile

David has a true artistic flair with digital work. He conveys his ideas well and creatively. David has made us feel very included in his process. The outcome is just awesome!

Simon HampOperations Manager – Isev–Linkedin Profile

Want to see more?

For a copy of my offline portfolio, just drop me an email to david@falconsandallies.co.uk.

Get in touch

Call / Whatsapp
07476 885990
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/falconsandallies/
Email
david@falconsandallies.co.uk

Falcons & Allies is David Baker, a Digital Product, Service and Experience Designer based in the West Midlands, UK.

Skills

Service Design

Product Design

Design Systems

Brand Design

Digital Accessibility

Microsoft SharePoint

Portfolio

Reel Tek

Artisans of the Ride

Allergi-lert

Beecan

Adams

Hardcore Junglist

The Beautiful Game Company

Windmill Bakery

West Midlands Safari Park

CAMRA

Meditate Now

Black Country Museum

We Are Hardcore

Angel Ales

Gorgeous Hair