Web Designer (Scotland’s First… Apparently)

Colin has been involved with the web since it appeared at one of the UK’s first web cafes, Cyberia, in Edinburgh. As an early adopter, he moved into this web cafe with his Mac and began designing web sites helping take companies, bands & brands online.

In-short, Colin has worked as a design & digital media resource for many companies in and around Scotland and the UK. Now based in Nérac, South West France, he works remotely as well as on-site undertaking varied design roles as well as building WordPress websites, shooting corporate video & stills.

And… He’s BACK!
As of February 2026, Colin has decided to dive back into the world of web design… having spent the past 18 months driving around the south west of France photographing chateaux for estate agents, (loads of fun but very little reward), he is putting himself back out there as it seems daft not to and now at the age of 56, he is in a position to share his knowledge, experience and expertise!

He has been quietly working away with an array of departments at University of Edinburgh working on new projects in BioTech, Robotics and Therapeutic Innovation

Recent website designs have included :

Research and Partnership Hub in Microscale Science and Technology to Accelerate Therapeutic Innovation https://www.microtex.ac.uk/

Treatment of Rare Respiratory Diseases https://www.rarerespiratory.org/

Assistive Autonomy (Robotics) https://assistive-autonomy.ed.ac.uk/

Colin loves working with creatives on their web requirements. Musicians, writers, poets and artists. Keeping the process simple and cost effective, he specialises in focussing on the folio process and designing future-proof showcase sites that serve as a window to the creative’s work and practice.

Some recent sites for creatives :

Brigid Collins
https://brigidcollinsart.com/

Kathleen Jamie
https://kathleenjamie.com/

Jerry Simcock
https://jerrysimcock.com/

Tiffany Watt Smith
https://tiffanywattsmith.co.uk/

And a few recent sites designed for the tourist sector :

Museum of the Highlands (Scotland)
https://museumofthehighlands.org/

Highland Threads
https://highlandthreads.co.uk/

Out Of The Box Learning (for North Yorkshire Council)
https://outoftheboxlearning.org/

If you need Colin, drop him a line at colin@colinusher.com
He’s always up for a chat …

Scotlands First Web Designer *1995, Cyberia Web Cafe
Click here for The Scotsman Newspaper feature about the early days of the web

Career highlights

He has been the digital media chap for the band, The Proclaimers for over 21 years having shot over 10 promo & live videos for them as well as designing album covers, their web site and merchandise.

Worked with QikServe.com for their first 5 and a half years developing brand, website, print materials, exhibition displays, photo shoots and video. Media manager through the start-up phase and design support thereafter.

Designed the first www.scotsman.com (The Scotsman Newspaper)

Worked with Teenage Fanclub/Sony Music on album launch website for ‘Howdy’.

Designed the graphical elements of Arab Banking Corporation’s first website in 1996.

Designed and built the website for The Scottish Claymores NFL affiliated team in Scotland.

Donated a website build to the Society of Scottish Artists. 

Developed and released an interactive children’s book for iPad in the App Store called Pumpy Bee.
Got to #1 in the children’s book section.

Set up Studio Faire with his wife, Julia Douglas in 2017.
Photographic studios & creative retreat location. https://www.studiofaire.fr

Worked with The Face magazine in the early 90s as their Scottish based photographer.

Shot many Scottish theatre & dance companies including Royal Lyceum, Dance Base, Theatre du Pif, Traverse Theatre, Boilerhouse, Benchtours and Terry Beck Troupe.

Co designed an exhibition by David Byrne at the Dental Practice Gallery in Glasgow. Included the design & build of 6 foot light-boxes for David’s work.

Worked with Edinburgh based micro brewery Cross Borders Brewing Company, designing their logo, cans and brand guidelines.