In 1953, Peter established his illustration practice. This gradually developed into a broader graphic design practice including identity, branding and print assignments, working for leading organisations and publishers.
The transition was natural, as a constant in both his illustration and design work was an ability to decipher complexity and create clarity. This coupled with a marked social conscience led him to constantly re-evaluate his capabilities and contribution to his profession.
He once wrote "graphic designers are architects of communication, charged with addressing issues from social responsibility, to visual and structural problem solving, to management of time and resources. The fact that architecture is designed for a longer life does not alter design's impact. Every mark made modifies the world in some way, it can make human communication function better or less well. This does not depend on chance, it depends on the designer having a clear understanding of his role, the design student developing his intellectual skills as well as his technical and creative ones, and the public becoming more informed and critical users".
His design career included clients such as British Telecom, British Steel, The Arts Council and The Design Council. In 1969, he was appointed signage consultant to Philips, and following a move to Paris in 1974, he added projects for the Centre Pompidou, Hachette, Crédit Lyonais, SNCF, Renault and Salle Pleyel amongst others.