John is one of The Big Picture’s original partners and the company’s Managing Director – you’ll be hard pushed to find anyone with more design research experience than him.

John has a wealth of research experience, beginning in 1984 with The Research Business (now Synovate) and continuing in 1989 when he helped to establish the fledgling research division of The Added Value Company, one of the original pioneering marketing agencies.

In 1993 he left to help establish The Big Picture, and the rest is, as they say, history. John’s vision for the company has been fundamental in the development of its clear philosophy, bespoke approach to design research and unique character (and, we like to think, charm).

Su’s finely-honed design research skills stem from a broad pool of experience spanning multiple disciplines and continents.

After completing her History of Design degree, Su worked in journalism and design across Europe, Asia and the States before realising that nothing beats ol’ Blighty where, in 2001, she joined generalist research agency Link Consumer Strategies. It was there that she found her passion in pack design and began to develop a best research practice in packaging.

From this point, it was a natural move for Su to explore design research further in the specialist laboratory of design research that we call The Big Picture. Since joining in 2007, Su has been responsible for pioneering many of the innovative methodologies and outputs of the firm, and was made a Director in 2008.

Stuart is what we like to term a design research purebreed.

Whilst filling his head with History books at Cambridge University, little did he know he’d have an opportunity to combine his ability to interpret and understand people’s words and actions in the past, with his burgeoning interest in the world of design. Fortunately for him, The Big Picture and design research stepped in.

He first cut his research teeth back in 2004, and since then has applied his knack for analytical thinking to the benefit of a range of major international brands. His application of intellectual rigour in formulating practical, down-to-earth and sugar-coating-free outputs has seen him rise through the ranks to become Director in 2009.

Liz’s combination of comprehensive research experience with a strong business background is amongst our most highly prized assets.

Her career began in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi before first getting into research at MIL (now GfK NOP). From there she moved to Campbell Keegan, before co-founding Directions with two other colleagues. After eight years, Liz saw the design research light and joined The Big Picture in 1999.

After seven years of design research here, Liz moved over to a consultancy role in 2006 in which she inputs into everything from corporate strategy to the recruitment of fresh blood to staff development and training.