Experimenting with background illustration in Photoshop, using soft edge brushes to create distance illusion.

In an effort to aid idea development I’ve tried using my own photography as an exisiting setting to place illustrations within.

I developed the following design which would fold up into a postcard sized package; showing the locations of the new facilities and some of the important selling points.

The magazine would be printed and downloadable from their internal company portal to staff across Europe; and the two old magazines would be renamed “OnShift” and “OnRoute”; with half of the new magazine dedicated to each.

OnShift Example Spreads -

OnRoute Example Spreads -

The “OnShift” section would read one way up; untill it reached the centre spread of the magazine where it would meet the end of the “OnRoute” section which would be upside down. So a member of staff could pick the magazine up and turn it over to find the corresponding cover to their industry and read to the centre. With the emphasis being to give equal prestige to each industry.

The company approached BrandWax to build a new brand incorporating some existing illustration they had commisioned for their cups, mugs, plates etc and to develop a new contemporary, non-corporate website.

I suggested that the information they wanted to present on the website fell between two specific selling points; the cupcakes for delivery and the new tea room. So I built the site to be easily navigable between these two subjects; whilst clearly defining the different points of sale.

You will need to install the Flash player if you don’t have it already.

Created in Illustrator using a few drop shadows and outer-glows to lift the background, I think the success of this image is the reality of the bears; especially the child climbing on the one in the lower right corner.

With the guitarist taken from an original rough sketch on a notepad; this developed into the fire scene above when I started to draw more in Illustrator; the fox being the last element to join.

A few sketches develop straight on the computer and from sketchbook collections; some to be developed into finalised drawings and some as inspiration.

Sketches in development from various sketchbooks and incomplete works

Taken straight from one of my sketchbook and the recesses of my mind; coloured in crayon.

“James has been the lead designer on a number of projects I have managed.

From online / web design to creating advertising for printed publications, James’ work has always shown a lot of creativity and flair.

James delivers on time – everytime, which is crucial when working with deadlines. I highly recommend James and will certainly work with him again in the near future.”

Nicolette Vos – Strategic Marketing Manager – NW Europe

Here are a selection of pages from the brochure:

Final chosen branding for website, posters and flyers:

Other initial ideas:

We developed the idea of an illustrated comic that would feed through all of the main safety messages in an entertaining and engaging way. The Internal Communications Director wrote the script, whilst I illustrated it to this draft.

A new business start-up approached me to develop some logo ideas to begin branding the business; they’re only themes were to evoke “sharing” and “networks”.

EricVick Transport Ltd approached me to update their brand and give them a simple initial website presence; they had a very limited budget and timescale; with no existing content to take from. I developed a two design formats; with the option of portrait or landscape photography.

Full EricVick website design PDF

The colour scheme came from their existing truck branding; but the girl illustration on the homepage was drawn by myself – developed from old truck photos that had similar images painted on by the drivers.

St Nicholas School, a non-profit organisation based in Wiltshire, were struggling to use and update their existing website, bought as a package with support from a commercial website company. They asked me if I could help; so I introduced them to WordPress (an online blogging tool that can also be used to create websites). I developed this design and built their website with this theme; meaning they can now simply update all pages with news; charitable events; and comments from the local community.

Purton House Organic farm approached me to assist their in-house team who were struggling to design and build a new company website. After a number of different initial sketches; they chose to use this design layout; which I then handed over to their in-house developer to finalise.

“James always provides a flexible, creative approach that has been well thought through.

He is good at listening and interpreting briefs, and positioning his work in the broader contexts of projects. A lovely chap too!”

Holly Porter - Group Marketing Director

Using illustration to bolster a limited photography portfolio.

View the full PDF below:

Wincanton National Transport Solutions PDF

“James is the most creative person I have ever met in my job’s life.

He is listening to you and always comes with a huge range of proposals.

James is a hard worker and is trustworthy. Whatever your deadlines and/or your request, you can rely on James; he will always deliver the best job.”

Karine Paternoster – Marketing & Communication Manager – France

Brand guidelines developed for Wincanton, using some illustration; brand photography to guide internal and external resources in the proper use of fonts, logos, photography and colour.

Taken from the boatyard in Old Portsmouth

Boy stepping over water into Southsea

These kids were photographed right by the paddy fields were they were running about playing and were very excited to see themselves on the camera screen.

Clouds rolling off the volcano top; Bromo, Indonesia

After cycling for six hours straight up a mountain; we came through a tunnel to this sunset.

“We needed a brochure that immediately conveyed our particular personality, and James grasped that straight away. He offered some great ideas but also listened really well to what we wanted – very good to work with. He quickly came up with a product which hit exactly the right note and we are thrilled with it. We now want Brandwax to design our website for us.”

Jill Owen – School Head

Building on text already in place from a simple Word format welcome letter and an existing school logo I developed this brochure, with the help of some new pupil photography that had been commissioned, to be simple, bright, positive and engaging. It also had an outer folder presentation slip; to be sent out with letters and supporting documents.

“James is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is passionate about good design which is evident in the work he delivers. He has a real talent for getting inside the head of the customer, understanding their end vision and interpreting this into design.

And, sometimes rare to find in his profession, he isn’t precious about what he does, ensuring that what is delivered is pitched at the right level for the intended audience.

As an added bonus James is an extremably personable chap who delivers the right balance of being easygoing and fun, while at the same time professional and conscientious.”

Helena Belcher – Group Marketing Projects Manager