Christoph Gey
Serious passion, high precession and zero bullshit
Creative
Honest
Diligent
Curious
Kind
Coffee Lover
Hi, I‘m Christoph Gey a Freelance Graphic Designer (UI, UX, AD and CD) and Illustrator from Leipzig, Germany.
Born in 1987 in East Germany I experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall and accompanying cultural change as a kid. My childhood was a lucky one. Pink unicorns and bubble gum were everywhere. The mystical ability of my mother to capture things of imagination on paper has mesmerized me early on. So I‘ve learned to draw. Later on I’ve sneaked on that huge monster of a computer which belonged to my older sister. I’ve teached myself to create websites, in the days where the modem made funny noises when you used that new thing called „the internet“. Years later I’ve made my high-school diploma with art as advanced course. More important: I’ve learned to play drums and figured out strong parallels to graphic design.
After community service at an institute for people with mental illness, which prepared me for design agencies later on, I went to Australia for one year. I learned to work hard – really hard. This journey has opened up a beautiful new way of thinking to me. I love this land.
Back in Germany I’ve moved to Cologne to study Graphic Design at the „Kölner Design Akademie“. Lucky me some teachers stayed with me late at night, to share insights or give feedback on some stuff I‘ve created, when I wasn‘t working as a cashier to finance my studies.
In 2011 I’ve been very fortuned to moved to London. There I made my Bachelor of Arts (hons) with honor at the Middlesex University. I also won a „D&AD – best of year“ award at that time. I‘ve worked my fingers to the bone, loved it and learned so much. I’m grateful.
After some struggle I’ve got a fulltime job as Junior Art Director back in Germany. The years, agencies and clients past. The junior became a senior. My mustache grew. There were dark times and bright times. I married the love of my life, travelled the world and made crazy things like walking the way of St. James or learn to dance tango.
Since 2015 I‘m working as a fulltime freelance graphic designer, won several awards and met incredible gifted people. What a blessing! I’ve worked with so many interesting clients. Starting from individual persons and start ups up to family business and global player. Some of them do things, I didn’t even know exist. With a humble heart and sensitivity I try to reveal their spirit and visualize it in a creative and aesthetic way, so they meet their business goals and calling. Sometimes it‘s like trying to catch the wind but it’s so much fun!
During the last years I‘ve specialized in corporate design, web- and appdesign and illustration. I‘m working as a Freelance Art Director, User Interface Designer, User Experience Designer, Creative Director and Illustrator. Every day I sit in front of my computer with a big smile on my face, thankful about the possibility to create awesome shit for people I like, love and respect.
Corporate Design
I’m focused on the development of corporate designs as part of the corporate identity. This includes finding a unique visual style, logo development, image/color conception, User Interface (UI) branding, employer branding, pattern libraries, design systems, design manuals and much more.
User Interface and User Experience
I create design systems, user interfaces, pattern libraries, GUI Kits and different digital touch points such as websites, microsites, landing pages, apps, wearables, platforms, in-car screens, e-commerce shops … I also develop visual visions, wireframes, prototypes, concepts and so on.
Illustration
I draw business illustrations, corporate illustrations, characters, infographics, iconography, editorials, advertising … They can be done as digital vector illustrations or with haptic materials such as pencil, paper, water/acrylic color, feathers, chocolate, fabrics, ….
My lovely clients
%
Global Players
%
Family and Midsize Companies
%
Startups
%
Individuals
%
Personal Projects
Awards
I’m not aiming for winning awards but the satisfaction of my clients. Nevertheless I got some in my pockets.
2x Art Directors Club „Silver Nails“, 2x Red Dot Design Award „Best of Best“, D&AD Best of Year, 2x Deutscher Design Club „Silver“, Annual Multimedia Award, Corporate Design Preis Award, Deutscher Digital Award, German Design Award, Middlesex University „First Class Honours“, work featured on the Apple Store, on Behance, …
Design Agencies
Strichpunkt, Sevenval, Cheil, Isobar, HAVAS, Zum goldenen Hirschen, Newcast, UDG, UX&I …
Inquires by: Google, Jung von Matt, Ogilvy, Heimat, Denkwerk, Mutabor, Peter Schmidt Group, TWT Interactive, Grey, BBDO, Demodern, Butter, webmatch, Michael Page, buntebrause, Palmer Hargreaves, OBI next, …
Unfortunatelly I was already booked out.
Universities
Middlesex University in London, UK and Kölner Design Akademie in Cologne, Germany
At least the quadruple of time I spend in museums studying the old masters, watching interviews of designers and legends, making tutorials online, experimenting offline, browsing design plattforms, reading specialist articles, talking to colleagues, testing software and hardware … I still continue that.
“I like his work. Especially the Campari Site. I am sure he will do well.”
Stefan Sagmeister,
CEO of “Sagmeister & Walsh” and world known designer & artist
“His honesty and high quality standards fit perfectly to us. Anytime again.”
Philipp Brune,
Managing Director of “Strichpunkt Design”
“His creativity and strategic thinking are wonderful in combination with his aesthetic sensitivity. Very impressive.”
Tatiana Smorodina,
Head B2B Product Management of “StepStone”
“He truly understands the clients wishes and can translate them beautifully.”
Michael Brandt,
Manager Design of “SapientRazorfish”
“Super guy. Super designer.
It’s fun to work with him”
Daniel Koennecke,
CEO of “FCB Germany”
“An excellent UI and UX designer. I like his calm nature and ability to take back his ego.”
Joerg Zabel,
Managing Partner of “changeworkZ”
“He is very creative and has great analytical abilities. He quickly understands new clients and is able to work very structured and independently.”
Markus Stuhr,
Director UX Design of “Sevenval Technologies”
“One of the most efficient, professional and adaptable artists I have worked with.”
Amy Fleming,
Head of communications at “deepstreamHUB”
“He’s an organized and customer-service oriented person. Moreover, he’s not only a reliable and forward thinking UX professional but also an inspiring team player.”
Marius Wurster,
Senior Project Manager at “Sevenval Technologies”
“His talent is overwhelming and brings a new spin to every topic.”
David Petrikat,
Director of marketing at “relayr”
“Not often can you find someone with such talent so easy to work with.”
Mark T. Lee,
Office Assistant at “Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations”
Some software I use
Sketch
Procreate
Photoshop
Figma
Adobe XD
Premiere Pro
Illustrator
After Effects
6 Additional Reasons
Why agencies hire me
Team Player (ready to lead and ready to follow)
Reliable
Precise
Tons of experience (agencies and clients)
Fast
Not driven by ego
6 Additional Reasons
Why clients hire me
Single Player (Multi Disciplined)
Cost Efficient (No Overhead)
I get shit done
Partner on eye level
Explain my design decisions
Network of skilled people
Get to know me even better
by walking the Mosel Camino with me
I set off with my Mini Cruiser (longboard) to do the 160 km pilgrimage of the Mosel Camino in 4 days. The path began in Koblenz Stolzenfells and had the grave of the holy apostle Matthias in Trier as its destination. The path took me physically to my limits and beyond. With a question in my luggage, I got lost in the rain in the forest, blisters adorned my feet and the sun made me redefine “thirst”. Would I make it to my destination?
Social Responsibility
Ecofriendly
I try to go everywhere by bicycle or train, use power from Greenpeace Energy to power up my devices and work only for organisations that match with my view of a healthy world and lifestyle.
Donations
I see it as my responsibility to pass on financial blessing. My income gives me the chance to support 2 godchildren in Africa on a constant basis and aid agencies such as:
TARGET e.V., Doctors without borders, Engineers without borders, Compassion, Plan
SOS Kinderdorf, NABU and Greenpeace
