About

Ideas first. Craft throughout.

I’m Calum MacLean, an independent creative and motion director based in Edinburgh. I enjoy finding the idea that makes a complex story click, then working through the detail that brings it to life.

My creative practice spans almost two decades, from early design work for charities, bars and music events to brand identities, integrated campaigns, films and animation for independent brands and global organisations.

I’m equally comfortable shaping a treatment, leading a multidisciplinary team or getting into the detail of typography, animation, editing and sound. Through Dephined, I work directly with clients and alongside agencies and production teams, bringing in specialist collaborators around the brief.

AI is a practical part of my process, from visual exploration and storyboarding to character development and image and video generation. I combine it with established design and production techniques, using judgement and craft to give the work consistency, purpose and a considered finish.

Alongside Dephined, I serve as Head of Post Production, UK, on a consultancy basis within UP THERE, EVERYWHERE.

What does Dephined mean?

The thinking behind Dephined is expressed as a design equation:

Design = Philosophy + Humanity + Innovation + Neo‑Eclecticism + Direction

At its heart is a simple idea: start with the purpose and the people. Then bring together the disciplines, influences and tools the work needs. That’s Dephined’s neo‑eclectic approach. Curiosity opens up possibilities; direction and craft give the result its shape.

Work with Calum

Calum MacLean
Creative & Motion Director, Dephined

Services

Creative direction

Concepts, art direction, treatments and storyboards that give your project a clear idea and a consistent visual language, from pitch to production.

Film & post‑production

Film editing, motion design, animation, sound and finishing. I shape the story, rhythm and detail so every part works together.

AI & creative technology

AI image and video production, shaped by art direction and refined through design, animation and post‑production. New tools, with human judgement throughout.

Design & illustration

Brand identities, graphic design and illustration for campaigns, cultural projects and digital experiences, giving your brand a visual language people can recognise.

Experience

Selected brands and organisations.

Direct commissions and agency collaborations, including work delivered through UP THERE, EVERYWHERE.

Explore selected work

Testimonials

“His work ethic and passion is second to none, and he has the talent to back it up.”

Christos Karakanna, Client Managing Partner, UK at UP THERE, EVERYWHERE

Read the full recommendation

Calum designed the logo, flyers and poster for the sub-program strand of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival called Cross The Tracks. After sending him an initial brief, at our first meeting Calum presented some exciting ideas and visions he had for our brand. He then created multiple drafts of designs to choose from for further development. This was great as we weren’t initially 100% sure of which direction we wanted to take with the logo and the whole design. With great patience Calum re-worked the initial drafts and delivered exactly what we wanted: a vibrant design that would really help the brand stand out. We were very pleased with the results and recommend Calum for his design, patience, courtesy as well as fair prices.

Agnese Daverio, Festival Co-ordinator / Production Manager at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

Calum is an extremely talented designer. From first ideas to final artwork he is attentive, creative, pro-active and brilliant at advising what could and will work. I have worked with Calum for client artwork for many of my clients at i-on magazine all of which look slick, clean and are very effective. I have also had logos and artwork designed for music projects that are truly imaginative and completely original. I highly recommend Calum for any artwork designs you need whatever your business may be. He is easy to work with, efficient and fantastic at what he does. Great price point too.

Jennifer Todd, Digital Sales Manager at Arabian Radio Network

Calum has done a few bits of work for me now and he always gets it perfect! I’ve had a couple of logos for different things and he always gets the finished article just how I envisaged it. He’s super efficient and very easy to work with too. I really couldn’t recommend him enough. Gillian Hoban, Creative Director at Embellishment & Gillian Hoban Make-Up Studio

Upon hearing good things, I chose Dephined to create a flyer and poster design for the launching of my record label. I am immensely happy with the finished product and the professional and friendly manner in which the work was discussed and completed. I would definitely recommend Dephined to anyone looking for a high quality unique finished product. James Cook, Founder of Koselig Records

Absolutely brilliant work from Calum at Dephined. Where I had exhausted all ideas, Calum stepped in and put together a website that completely blew me away. Highly recommended as he has great vision. Niel Spence, Creative Director at Butta Bag

Let’s talk

What are you working on?

Available for freelance and contract projects.

Tell me what you want to make, who it needs to reach and any timings you have in mind. I’ll help you work out the next step.