About / Jo Sims
Design that worksfor everyone.
The essentials
- — 15+ years designing digital learning
- — Based in Manchester, UK
- — MA Design Innovation Strategy, Sheffield Hallam
- — BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design (2:1), Huddersfield
- — 2003–2026 · Desq (Rethink Learning)
Bio
I'm a versatile design and content professional with 15+ years' experience creating accessible, high-quality digital learning materials and educational games.
I have a strong background in visual design, accessibility design, content development, testing, and proofreading — with a particular focus on usability, inclusivity, and brand consistency.
My approach is methodical and detail-oriented. I collaborate effectively across teams and work confidently on my own, and I'm very personable — I'd make a great addition to any team.
Artist statement
I make things to be used — not just looked at.
My practice sits where illustration, interface and inclusive design meet. I'm drawn to problems where a clear drawing, a well-set paragraph or a considered colour choice can unlock something for a learner — a moment of understanding, a way in, a way through.
I care about the reader I can't see: the person using a screen-reader, the tired student on a small phone, the colleague reviewing at 2am. Good design should quietly hold all of them. That's the standard I try to hit, one component at a time.
“Accessible isn't an add-on. It's what makes the work honest.”
What I do
Services
Available for freelance briefs, contract roles and collaborations across the UK & remotely.
2D Design
User interfaces to client brand guidelines, 2D graphics for learning content and educational games — icons, characters, scenes and assets for animation. Themed courses built in Articulate Rise and Evolve.
- UI design
- Icons
- Characters
- Course theming
- Animation assets
Accessibility Design
Advising on colour and layout from the earliest stages. Automated and manual accessibility checks to WCAG Level A and AA, with manual usability testing in JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver.
- WCAG A / AA
- Colour & contrast
- Screen-reader testing
- Inclusive UX
Content Development
Integrating, editing and proofreading content to maintain clarity, consistency, accuracy and readability across long, complex learning products.
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Content integration
- Brand consistency
Tools I work in
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Figma
- Articulate 360
- Evolve
- Wave
- Stark
- Colour Contrast Analyser
- JAWS
- NVDA
- VoiceOver
How I work
- — Embedded in a team or leading a strand solo
- — Accessibility considered from kickoff, not bolted on
- — Brand systems respected, and quietly improved where useful
- — Clear hand-offs, tidy files, no surprises