Creative | Artist
LEIGH
PATON
Push the boundaries.
jul. 2025 - current
Design Academy of Fashion
Cape Town
Foundation in Fashion course
I am currently working on a Foundation in Fashion course where I am developing a strong technical understanding of garment construction and design. Through hands-on learning, I gained skills in pattern making, sewing, fabric selection, and basic draping techniques. I am enjoying the experimental learning process translating creative ideas into well-constructed garments.
jul. 2025 - oct. 2025
Design Academy of Fashion
Cape Town
Fashion Styling course
Throughout my course, I explored visual storytelling, trend interpretation, flat lay shoots, concept development, and the relationship between fashion, identity, and culture. I developed skills in research, composition, and styling for both studio and location shoots. After several fashion styling consultations with various clients, for my final editorial project, I sourced garments and accessories, coordinated fittings, and styled my model in two cohesive looks that aligned with a set theme, showcasing my ability to execute a professional concept from idea to execution.
jun. 2025
DHL Stormers Commercial
Patriot Films
Cape Town
Art Department | Graphics and Props
Worked as part of the art department on a Stormers commercial, designing and making custom props featured on set. Additionally, I assisted with designing and setting up the set, managing and keeping track of props, and assisting the production team and camera crew.
My role required organization, a keen eye for detail, problem-solving, and strong collaboration with the production designer to bring the set design to life.
feb. 2025 - mar. 2025
Art Department | Graphics and Props
Worked as part of the art department on a Maybelline commercial, I was responsible for the graphic design elements featured on set. Additionally, I assisted in sourcing, preparing, and maintaining props, designing custom props and working under tight deadlines to support the fast-paced demands of the shoot. My role required a keen eye for detail, problem-solving, and strong collaboration with the production designer to bring the set design to life.
Maybelline Commercial
MR Films
Cape Town
jan. 2025 - feb. 2025
Tylenol Commercial
Juice Films
Cape Town
Art Department | Graphics and Props
Worked as part of the art department on a high-profile commercial for an international client, managing both graphic design and prop-related responsibilities. Designed and created on-set graphics, including artworks, custom fabric pattern design, signage, and custom prop designs, ensuring they aligned with the production’s visual direction. Assisted in sourcing, preparing, and maintaining props, working under tight deadlines to support the fast-paced demands of the shoot. Collaborated closely with the production designer, contributing to a major commercial campaign seen by a global audience.
oct. 2024
Afrotech Music Video
SKELM
Cape Town
Director
Conceptualized and directed a narrative based music video for Afrotech DJ SKELM, exploring themes of self-fragmentation and transformation through technology. Collaborated with industry professionals, and hired a crew of camera operators and a DOP to ensure high production quality. Managed all aspects of production from writing and storyboarding, location scouting, styling, set design, directing actors and editing.
jan. 2022 - oct. 2024
Stellenbosch Academy of
Design and Photography
​
Bachelor of Arts degree
BA Visual Communication, majoring in Art Direction.
My Projects
Check out what I have been working on recently
DHL STORMERS COMMERCIAL | ART DEPARTMENT
Patriot Films | 2025
The DHL Stormers' recent commercial, "In it Together," is a love letter to Cape Town, positioning the city and its people as integral to the team's spirit and energy on the field.
I had so much fun working on the art department for this commercial, I was responsible for managing props, designing custom props, setting up the sets and assisting various crews over the span of a week. My role required a keen eye for detail, problem-solving, and strong collaboration with the production designer to bring the set design to life.
See Project
Commercial available at: https://youtu.be/IJXP1d751Wo?si=J9mjb_ewp8HI9Ec3
MAYBELLINE COMMERCIAL | ART DEPARTMENT
MR Films | 2025
Worked as part of the art department on a Maybelline commercial, I was responsible for the graphic design elements featured on set. Additionally, I assisted in sourcing, preparing, and maintaining props, designing custom props and working under tight deadlines to support the fast-paced demands of the shoot. My role required a keen eye for detail, problem-solving, and strong collaboration with the production designer to bring the set design to life.
See Project
Commercial available at: https://youtu.be/jnOlVwwSlaM?si=nHrbCYI0PMdb5h8u
TYLENOL COMMERCIAL | ART DEPARTMENT
Juice Films | 2025
Worked as part of the art department on a high-profile commercial for an international client, managing both graphic design and prop-related responsibilities. Designed and created on-set graphics, including artworks, custom fabric pattern design, signage, and custom prop designs, ensuring they aligned with the production’s visual direction. Assisted in sourcing, preparing, and maintaining props, working under tight deadlines to support the fast-paced demands of the shoot. Collaborated closely with the production designer, contributing to a major commercial campaign seen by a global audience.
See Project
Work is not yet publicly available until the commercial has aired, feel free to contact me to see my work.
DEFY DEFINITION
Campaign | Disciples Ink Tattoo Studio | 2023
People with tattoos are often viewed negatively. Tattoos are often seen as markers of deviance. Disciples Ink Tattoo Studio makes an effort to provide a safe space for customers to express themselves free of judgement or stigma that often surrounds being tattooed.
Therefore, the campaign is titled; DEFY DEFINITION. This campaign is an artistic celebration of creativity, expression, edginess, fashion, passion, and ART. Because tattoos are art.
Starring
Leigh Paton
THROUGH IT ALL
Campaign | Kraft Mac & Cheese | 2024
Kraft Mac & Cheese is Americas most iconic comfort food. With a long history of being a convenient meal eaten for generations, it is well loved by children and families and bought all over the country. This specific campaign plans to reach a different demographic, targeting young adults who are navigating new challenges.
BUTT NUGGETS
Experimental Design | 2024
Nestled in a garden paradise in Knysna, Robyn raises her silkie chickens in a free roaming farm where they lay their golden nuggets, renowned for their rich taste and exceptional quality. In this campaign I experiment with design, telling her story through hand crafted visuals.
GERIACTIVES
Campaign | 2024
This campaign took a human centered approach, focusing on the needs of a specific group of people and creating a digital solution to help solve specific problems. GeriActives is a campaign designed to initiate action towards healthy ageing. We want to provide elderly people with the tools to defer challenges that come with aging, by promoting regular mobility, strength and balance exercises.
