ABOUT

Stealworks is the nom de plume of graphic designer, troublemaker, and tea drinker, John Yates.

Originally from the UK (now the tea reference makes sense, sorta), he relocated to the U.S. to work as in-house designer for Dead Kennedys’ Alternative Tentacles Records label. A decade of music packaging and a bit of name recognition later, he left to pursue work as a freelance designer for a variety of other bands and labels, as well as other non-music clients. John has worked for clients large and small, serving some of the area’s best agencies and design shops as either a freelance Mac-for-hire or a full-time staffer. Along with apparel design for the likes of Stüssy, KR3W Denim, and Burton Snowboards, John has a slightly unhealthy obsession and love for book cover designs, as well as his ever-present music packaging work. In the interests of full disclosure, web design is his self-confessed weakest link (he can make it look amazing; he just can’t do the nuts-and-bolts coding stuff, so team him with a techie and you’re golden).

Ever on the lookout for new design opportunities and liking to keep busy, John encourages getting in touch if you have a project you feel he’d be a good fit for. It may also stop him writing in the third person.