Creative graphic designer with 27 years of experience across a multitude of organisations and brands within PR and advertising agencies, hospitality, local authorities, arts festivals, film and television companies, charities, and sporting clubs. I’m passionate about design and all things creative, working across: concept development, photo art direction, branding, graphic design, social media design and exhibitions. I enjoy delivering impactful work for agencies and clients alike.…

James Blakeborough

Creative graphic designer with 27 years of experience across a multitude of organisations and brands within PR and advertising agencies, hospitality, local authorities, arts festivals, film and television companies, charities, and sporting clubs. I’m passionate about design and all things creative, working across: concept development, photo art direction, branding, graphic design, social media design and exhibitions. I enjoy delivering impactful work for agencies and clients alike.…

Available to hire

Creative graphic designer with 27 years of experience across a multitude of organisations and brands within PR and advertising agencies, hospitality, local authorities, arts festivals, film and television companies, charities, and sporting clubs.

I’m passionate about design and all things creative, working across: concept development, photo art direction, branding, graphic design, social media design and exhibitions. I enjoy delivering impactful work for agencies and clients alike.

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Work Experience

Freelance Designer and Art Director at Only A Northern Soul Ltd
April 1, 2024 - Present
Freelance design and art direction; concepts, storyboard, graphic design and photo shoot art direction.
Senior Designer (Temporary) at Action For Humanity
January 1, 2025 - April 1, 2025
Led visual content creation for print, digital, and social campaigns; developed concepts aligned with brand guidelines; created style guides and templates for reports and fundraising events; provided creative direction and collaborated with Marketing, Communications and Advocacy teams; managed multiple design projects with external printers and media agencies.
Integrated Designer at Mfuse (Previously The&Partnership)
July 1, 2022 - May 1, 2024
Brand design for TransPennine Express and TransPennine Route Upgrade; created artwork for brochures, posters, print adverts, digital formats; developed TRU brand guidelines; prioritised and scheduled projects; designed email marketing for clients such as TalkTalk.
Brand Designer at Engine Creative Ltd
October 1, 2019 - May 1, 2022
On-site brand guardian for TransPennine Express and designer; created artwork for brochures, posters, print adverts, digital formats; produced video/animation content; collaborated with internal client teams; prioritised and scheduled multiple projects to ensure timely delivery; produced high quality materials; clients included TransPennine Express, Santander, UK GOV, SKY, Royal Navy & Xero.
Freelance Designer and Art Director at Only A Northern Soul Ltd
February 1, 2009 - October 1, 2019
Freelance design and art direction; creative concepts, storyboarding, graphic design and photo shoot art direction.
Senior Designer at Fresh Approach Ltd
March 1, 2007 - February 1, 2009
Creative designer for events company; concepts and identities for events; art direction; studio and project management; client liaison; managed juniors; prepared pitch documents.
Senior Designer at Airplay
April 1, 2006 - March 1, 2007
Brand development and creative design for events company; clientele included Clarks, Gamestation, Levi, Peacocks, Per Una, Britannia Building Society.
Corporate Graphic Designer at SMBC
June 1, 2005 - April 1, 2006
Campaigns for local government initiatives; exhibition, printed literature and website design; print buying; briefing freelancers; account management; liaised with council departments and external bodies.
Senior Designer at Heritage Trust for the North West
April 1, 2003 - June 1, 2005
Designer for heritage building conservation trust; corporate identity; visual branding including site signage, bid documents and website proposals; studio and project management with exhibition design and literature.
Designer at MC2 Manchester Limited
August 1, 2001 - April 1, 2003
Designer in marketing and PR agency; managed projects from brief to completion; print, exhibition stands, photography and retail; print material procurement; client liaison; concept development and proposals.
Creative Designer at Cranshaw Middleton Advertising
August 1, 2000 - August 1, 2001
Creative concepts and identities for events and multimedia projects; art direction; studio and project management; liaising with clients; briefing freelancers; team collaboration.
Creative Mac Operator at Hazeldine - Coltas
June 1, 1999 - August 1, 2000
Mac operator supporting design and production workflows for agency projects.

Education

BA (Hons) Design Studies at University of Salford
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1996
A-Levels in Art, Design and Technology & English Language at Rastrick High School, West Yorkshire
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1993

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Retail, Education
    uniE621 Heritage Trust for The North West corporate identity
    Corporate identity for Heritage Trust for The North West, the UKs largest independent building preservation trust. logo graphicdesigner branding designer…
    uniE621 Bootleg Brewing Company
    Graphic design of the logo and pump clips for Manchester micro-brewery Bootleg Brewing Company logo branding graphicdesigner designer creative hospitality…
    uniE621 TransPennine Express Menu
    TransPennine Express has introduced a new menu for passengers travelling in First Class on its services between North-West England and Scotland. The new catering service, named 'West Coast Kitchen', offers a selection of tasty dishes and snacks on services connecting Manchester/Liverpool, Lancashire, Cumbria, and Scotland. Meals and snacks from the West Coast Kitchen are included in the cost of First-Class tickets. Standard-Class customers can purchase drinks and snacks from the onboard Express Café menu. I was tasked with designing the identities for the three levels of the menu, each reflecting the level they offered while belonging to the TransPennine Express identity suite. The West Coast Kitchen is the one icon that reflects its unique regional service. logo graphicdesigner illustrator branding designer…
    uniE621 Manchester International Festival 2011
    Design of a series of brochures for shows at Manchester International Festival logo graphicdesigner illustrator branding designer…
    uniE621 We Are Chosen - Everton FC
    Design and creative direction for the We Are Chosen 15/16 season ticket campaign for Premier League side Everton FC logo graphicdesigner branding designer creative…
    uniE621 Desperate Measures Film keyart
    Australasia keyart for the gangster brit flick Desperate Measures. graphicdesigner filmkeyart filmartwork designer…
    uniE621 Urban and the Shed Crew Keyart
    Keyart for british independent and award-winning film Urban and the Shed Crew. photo graphicdesigner branding designer keyart filmposter filmartwork…