As a student, he had work selected for an exhibition of young British artists at The Louvre, Paris, in 1970.
Graduating from The RCA in 1971 (Master of Design RCA) he began a fulfilling career in advertising. Among his many accolades, he won D&AD Silver Awards for Benson & Hedges (most outstanding point of sale campaign, 1981) and Cockburn's Port (most outstanding packaging, 1985)
In parallel with his art direction and design work, Joe experimented with computers and the fusion of fine art and micro-electronics (1980-85)
Sidestepping conventional 'design for print and advertising' and combining his unique art, design and computer skills, he founded Pixel Productions in 1989. As a pioneer in the area of 'new media' (CD ROMs, software, video, internet) he worked with clients such as Apple Computer, Microsoft, Canon, Sony and led the development of the first electronic (Web-based) newspaper for The Daily Telegraph.
In 1996, Joe launched Web Page Design for Designers, which is now the premier resource for Web designers on the Web, with top Google ranking.
Again, using his proficiency in art and computer programming, he began creating abstract imagery for contemporary printmaking in 1997.
MiniFonts.com was formed in 2001 to produce and market 'pixel' fonts for Web and interface designers – including his now ubiquitous Mini 7 font.
In January 2005, Joe opened a small studio/workshop in Mortlake, South West London and continues to work with acrylic on canvas, mixed media and electronics on canvas and giclée printmaking.
Artist's statement
I am one of those people who like to live at the 'bleeding edge'.
I have spent my professional career pioneering new concepts in the creative industry. I have been expected to innovate – be it in advertising, new product design or hi-tech multimedia.
Creative innovation is a revolutionary rather than an evolutionary process, which requires going back to first principles, trying to solve problems in a fresh, and hopefully, better ways.
In art, my influences lie in modernism – the Bauhaus, Matisse, Mondrian and Bridget Reilly. My philosophy has always been one of 'elegant simplicity'. I prefer understatement and lack of adornment because there is less to get in the way of communication. Graphic minimalism makes a clearer and more honest statement at an emotive level.
Technology forms a major part of our lives today yet art is slow to adapt, tending to keep it at arm's length – if not out of sight and mind completely. I have a relatively high degree of proficiency in terms of electronics and computer technology. In exploring new means of expression, I can draw on both my visual communication and technological skills to produce work that is fresh, original and relevant to the twenty first century.