1976
Colin started Graffiti Design as a sole trader in September 1976 in Carshalton, Surrey, specialising in exhibition and display signs and graphics, following in the footsteps of his signwriter father, Harry Pestell.
A Family-Run Business with Over 40 Years Experience in the Signage Industry
Graffiti Designs began life with a simple vision; to bring together the UK’s most exceptional talent and give them the tools they need to do great things. Today, that vision is a reality.
About Graffiti Design
Signage company Graffiti Design was founded by Colin & Jenny Pestell in the 1970s. The passionate entrepreneurs identified a major flaw within the existing signage market. While signage companies in the UK appeared to be starting with what they could do, and trying to work backwards to fit their capabilities around the needs of the client, Colin and Jenny were committed to doing things the other way around. Taking a people-centric approach long before people-centric was even a real term, Graffiti Design started making waves by putting its clients at the very heart of everything, building and designing custom signage strategies rooted in each client’s needs.
We’re still making waves today. We’re proud to have built a truly unrivalled team of sign fitters and installers, assembly and fabrication experts, digital and vinyl operatives, metal workers, dedicated project managers, designers, and production managers. Their unique skills all come together to enable us to serve our clients through end-to-end solutions.
Achievements & Awards
We are incredibly proud to have been recognised by the prestigious British Sign Awards on a number of occasions. The independent award scheme celebrates the very best of British, with Graffiti Design taking home some of the most distinguished awards, and being appreciated across many different categories:
- Signage Company of the Year Award 2012 – Runner Up
- Retail Sign of the Year Award 2018 (Lush, White City) – Winner
- Young Signmaker of the Year Award 2019 – Winner
The History of Graffiti Design
1984
Colin moved from South London to East Sussex in 1984. As the move resulted in coming away from the large exhibition venues, Earls Court and Olympia, Graffiti Design had to diversify and became more involved in general sign work for local businesses.
1987
Graffiti Design took on their first employee and bought their first computer – a computer controlled, self adhesive vinyl plotter/cutter.
1988
1988 bought a second computer controlled vinyl plotter and a digitising system for generating logos and won some good contracts with Rentokil and Sofa Workshop who we went on to work with for many years.
1989
Outgrew the Farmhouse barn and took a lease on a small 100 sq metre unit in Uckfield. Graffiti Design also purchased their first CNC router cutting system and employed 2 more people.
1993
After 4 years in the little factory, Graffiti Design again, ran out of space. So in 1993 they found a much larger premises just 200 metres away, on the same Industrial Estate. They now had 350 sq metres of floor space plus 300 sq metres of mezzanine. At this stage it was decided to include screen printing within the services they offered…
1995
In 1995 we won our first National Sign Award. This was the first of many.
2000
Over the next few years Graffiti Design enjoyed steady growth, and had survived several recessions and a flood in 2000, when the only way to could get to the factory was by rowing boat!
2003
By 2003 Graffiti Design had employed 12 people, ranging from the very experienced to fresh faced apprentices.
2006
At this time, Graffiti Design felt it was time to expand, and opened a sales office in Brighton. Unfortunately, by the time it got off the ground, the biggest recession the company had experienced so far, had taken a devastating toll on businesses, including Graffiti Design. The experimental sales office was closed.
2010
Fortunately, Graffiti Design survived, thanks in no small way to the efforts and support from everyone working at Graffiti, and in 2010 they won the tender to supply all the signs for the Amex Football Stadium, the home of Brighton & Hove Albion. They were overrun with signs, they even had containers and gazebos in the car park!
2011
2011 we determined we needed a larger factory. We found the perfect site in Heathfield, a closed garden centre. Following successful negotiations, we moved in to an eight year old modern industrial space. We were able to add to the existing building by 700 sq metres, giving a total, custom built factory space of 1250 sq metres. We have continued to invest in staff and capital equipment. We now have a full metal fabrication shop and a large paint facility including a 4 metre oven and a 4 metre spray booth for both powder coating and stove enamelling.
2012
Graffiti Design was crowned Sign Company of the Year, Runner Up at the British Sign Awards.
2014
Increased demand saw Graffiti Design double the size of its factory to 14,000 square feet.
2015
The company recorded record-breaking turnover, marking a 400% increase in just a four-year period.
2021
Survived a pandemic and still going strong! More and more signage commissions are being shipped internationally for luxury and e-bike brands. Our priority is to help businesses relaunch and recover.