Recent Work: The PFMeet re-brand and re-launch

Last modified: 18th September 2025

Portsmouth Freelancers Meet has been part of my life since 2010. It’s seen me through different chapters of my freelance journey – from running PubHack, to launching Supportsmouth, to where I am now as a front-end developer working with agencies and creative teams. PFMeet has always been a constant: a space to connect, share stories, and support one another.

But after 15 years, the brand and website were starting to feel tired. The meetup had outgrown its old look and format, and I knew it was time for a proper refresh.

Why a re-brand?

Firstly, the last update to the site design and branding was in 2017, so it had served us well! But PFMeet has always been about people first. It’s not a corporate networking group; it’s a welcoming, low-pressure environment for freelancers and self-employed folks in Portsmouth. I wanted the new brand to reflect that: friendly, approachable, and creative.

The process

I treated PFMeet like I would any other client project:

• Research & reflection – I looked back at what PFMeet means to people, digging into old photos, feedback, and memories from past meetups.
• Visual identity – After briefing the designer, she came up with a fresh new logo, colour palette, and typography that feel bold yet welcoming.
• Website redesign – I rebuilt from scratch to be cleaner, easier to navigate, and mobile-friendly. I wanted it to be easy to showcase new photos on the home page to keep it constantly new, as well as make it easy to navigate to find meetup information.
• Content refresh – I rewrote key pages to focus on what new visitors really want to know: what PFMeet is, how it works, and why they should come along. A lot of this was added in a new FAQ section as well.

Working with a brand expert

The brains behind the brand itself is actually Charlotte Simonsen, who I go to for all my branding needs. She came up with something really fun, fresh and friendly.

Here is te new logo and colour scheme in situ on the new website:

Once we had the logo and icons sorted, Charlotte also put together a whole social media package which has made creating posts for Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook a real joy.

The launch

We officially re-launched PFMeet with the September 2025 meetup, and it felt like the perfect moment. Not only did we share the new look, but I also gave my first ever PFMeet talk – a milestone for me personally.

The feedback on the re-brand has been brilliant so far. People have said the new logo feels more “us”, and the website is already helping newcomers understand what PFMeet is about before they even walk through the door.

Looking ahead

The re-brand is a way PFMeet can keep thriving for the next 15 years. With a stronger online presence and a clear identity, I hope more freelancers in Portsmouth (and beyond) will feel encouraged to come along, connect, and be part of the community.