With first-class honours degrees in English Language/Literature (University of Melbourne) and Graphic Design (Central Saint Martins), Elise earned her spurs at Newell and Sorrell, designing for clients such as the Royal Mail, InterCity, Del Monte, The Body Shop and STA Travel.
She joined The Body Shop and worked as Creative Director of international promotions, packaging and communications. She was responsible for the design and launch of The Body Shop’s new identity worldwide.
As Creative Director at brand agency FITCH, she managed five multidisciplinary teams. Her main clients were Bertelsmann BMG (Germany), Solidere (Beirut) and BCA Book Club Associates (UK).
Elise left full-time corporate employment to launch her first novel and set up word-design. Her books and short stories have been published internationally. She teaches Creative Writing at Central Saint Martins, Faber Academy, Guardian Masterclasses and Arvon. You'll find more info at her author website.
Elise is on the Board of writers' organisation 26, she is a D&AD Jury President (Writing for Design) and former External Examiner for the MA in Professional Writing at Falmouth University. She is a member of English PEN and The Society of Authors.
Honoured by the Edinburgh International Film Festival as a Trailblazer, Elise is the script consultant and producer of award-winning indie Britfilm SAXON, distributed by Peccadillo Pictures and released to critical acclaim in 2009.
• AWARDS include: Commonwealth Scholarship (Oxford), RSA Student Design Award for Corporate Identity, Direction Showcase ‘Green Designer of the Year’, DBA Design Effectiveness Award, D&AD Award, Edinburgh International Film Festival Trailblazer, Victorian Premier's Literary Award