We are Thirst
We like to do good things. You might think: ‘doesn’t everyone?’ Not always. You see, we’ve worked for other agencies, and Thirst is the culmination of our experiences, and how we feel we can do things better on both a local and national level.
We pride ourselves on our consistency, on our service, and on our delivery. We’re really good at what we do. We work hard and we excel under pressure, and we love to pass on our expertise to others looking to do good things.
We do all of this without unnecessary sales staff or account handlers. If you work with us, you’ll be guided by our lead creator, and you’ll discover that our designers handle our accounts, meaning you’ll stay more informed throughout the creative process. Everything we do is designed to deliver cost-effective creative excellence, and build relationships for the long term. At the core of everything we do, are our people. Good people. We take great pride in finding the brightest talent, but also work hard from the bottom up to nurture team members and let them flourish. It’s why we’re able to retain our staff, and clients, for long periods.
Thirst continues to work across multiple sectors and with brands large and small. Some of our clients are iconic UK brands, but we’re also on a mission to become THE local design resource. From small and medium-sized businesses, to local charities and inspiring initiatives, if you’re looking to do good things, we’ll be there to help you achieve your ambitions.
Branding
Maximise your potential
Compelling, purposeful and strategic branding/identity that epitomises your mission, vision and values, and which helps you stand out and resonate with your audience.
Design
Simply stunning design
From illustrations to retouching, and more detailed design and artwork, we’ll transform your brand with extraordinary design and impactful collateral to grab people’s attention.
Digital
Click & connect with your clients
We design, test and develop effective, seamless and responsive digital solutions to meet the needs of your brand, and to exceed the expectation of your customers.
Be like John
John Hirst, dad to Lead Creator Matt, is sadly no longer with us. If he was, he’d be very proud of what Thirst now represents. For it was John that built our first office back in 2003, and it was John that instilled the values that saw H2, now Thirst, rise to prominence. ‘Be good. Be nice. Deliver. And don’t rip people off’. These values have served us and our clients well on our journey so far, and they remain at the heart of everything we do.
The concept of Thirst was born in 2020, when COVID gifted us with the time to reassess and understand our vision for the future. We’re looking forward to servicing clients large and small, just as we’ve always done, but also now helping all those who might benefit from a professional service without paying ‘London’ prices. It’s time to give something back, and pass on our excellence to those who need it. Just like John did.
In our ears this month
Top artist
Bear’s Den
Top tracks
Loneliness by Bear’s Den
A Village by Bear’s Den
New Ways by Bear’s Den
96 by Turin Brakes
1973 by James Blunt
Our team
Matt Hirst
Founder & Creative Director
As the founder of Thirst I still find time to experience other passions such as fishing, golf balling and Shrivenham FC. I’ve been involved with my local football team since 1991. Playing for 21 years and now looking after the pitch and surroundings.
I wasn’t great at school but was fortunate to discover a talent for design. A work experience placement at a top advertising agency was defining, I achieved decent grades and embraced the industry in my first job. Over the years I have learnt how to interpret briefs, something that i’ve become very good at.
I’m privileged to be surrounded by a talented team who share my enthusiasm for offering a great service and creativity to our clients. My career has taken me from an ambitious teenager to Director and I am still hands on with many of the projects. What have I learnt? Be respectful of clients’ needs, be cost-effective and above all, be nice.
Sally Hirst
Company Secretary & Director
In my free time, I enjoy a range of hobbies such as reading, cooking and socialising. I like to stay active and healthy by going to the gym and taking my dogs for walks. At work, I’m passionate about keeping accounts organised and clear to ensure everything runs smoothly. After having my second child, I started working part-time with my husband, Matt at Thirst and have enjoyed being part of a talented and supportive team ever since.
Through my experience, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork and having fun while still being productive. It’s been a valuable lesson to find joy in my work and build strong relationships with my colleagues. As a married mother of three, I’ve learned to balance my personal and professional life while still pursuing my passions. I’m grateful for the many opportunities I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned. My ethos: Work should be fun and not just work.
James Street
Senior Creative & Studio Manager
At weekends you will find me coaching my son’s football team, watching Liverpool play at Anfield and going to gigs. I love live music and going to Glastonbury every year.
At work, my passion lies in branding. I have always been creative, from doodling characters on any paper I could find as a child to illustrating on Procreate. I love working with colour and creating stories through something as small as a logo.
After studying IT, Business, and Sports Science at A-level, I pursued a Design degree at Bath University. My journey at Thirst started as a Junior Designer, and over eight years, I worked my way up to Senior Designer. I left to start a family, but I am excited to be back and to bring my passion for design and boundless energy to make Thirst the go-to design agency.
George Hegg
Senior Creative & Account Manager
When I’m not designing, you may find me in involved with some sort of football, in a pub, or chasing a golf ball around the course (normally with a beer).
Within the industry my main love is Photoshop and I find it super useful for adding abs to all my holiday pics. However, I like to think you wouldn’t be able to notice this, as I have been doing this since I was 17.
My journey into design came from work experience back at school. I have known Matt my whole life and he kindly allowed me to annoy his staff for one week, discovering that design was something I really enjoyed. College beckoned and but I hated my graphic design course, so I got back in touch with Matt and he made me work three months unpaid… the rest is history.
James Hirst
Creative
I enjoy playing and watching football and darts, going to the gym, and supporting my favourite team, West Ham, both at home and away games. Though I occasionally play golf, I am not very good at it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I left school early and came to Thirst for work experience, which I enjoyed so much that I started a Junior Content Producer Level 3 course in September 2020 while working full time.
I am passionate about problem-solving, creativity, learning, and taking responsibility for my tasks. I feel comfortable and excited about my future at Thirst.
Through my experience, I have gained confidence in my design work, always managing client expectations and meeting deadlines. I am grateful for the opportunities and knowledge Thirst has provided me and look forward to continuing to grow in the industry.
Cavan Day
New Media Specialist
In my spare time, I indulge in video editing, creating captivating montages with popular media and music, and admin work on various TV show wiki sites. I love going on walks while enjoying hard rock or classic pop bangers to balance my desk-bound hobbies.
At work, my passion lies in building websites, solving coding problems, and learning new techniques. Through my experience, I’ve honed my skills in problem-solving and streamlining my work process, making my computer feel like a seamless extension of myself—a true prosthesis in my creative journey.
Want to join our team?
Are you a talented, passionate and hard-working creative? Whether you’re just starting out and looking for your first big break, or you’re experienced and keen to share your experience and creative excellence, we’d love to meet you. Send us your CV and your portfolio… we’ll get the kettle on.