I am a visual storyteller and brand builder with 25+ years of freelancing across a wide range of industries. I design cohesive brands, campaigns, and experiences that look good, work well, and feel right for the audience. I thrive in collaborative environments, whether on-site or remote, and I’m passionate about timeless design that’s easy on the eyes. When I’m not sketching or refining a layout, I’m mentoring others through The Freelance Jungle and continuing to push the boundaries of modern brand design.…

Jessica Harkins

I am a visual storyteller and brand builder with 25+ years of freelancing across a wide range of industries. I design cohesive brands, campaigns, and experiences that look good, work well, and feel right for the audience. I thrive in collaborative environments, whether on-site or remote, and I’m passionate about timeless design that’s easy on the eyes. When I’m not sketching or refining a layout, I’m mentoring others through The Freelance Jungle and continuing to push the boundaries of modern brand design.…

Available to hire

I am a visual storyteller and brand builder with 25+ years of freelancing across a wide range of industries. I design cohesive brands, campaigns, and experiences that look good, work well, and feel right for the audience.

I thrive in collaborative environments, whether on-site or remote, and I’m passionate about timeless design that’s easy on the eyes. When I’m not sketching or refining a layout, I’m mentoring others through The Freelance Jungle and continuing to push the boundaries of modern brand design.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Creative Director at Cosmopolitan Magazine (relaunched by KK Press)
June 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025
Led the creative relaunch; designed new fixtures and features for the new iteration; developed layouts for the inaugural issue and style across seven issues; produced promotional materials including billboards and digital displays. KK Press folded in Jan 2026 after strong reception to the creative.
Senior Designer at Girls on Fire
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Annual report design for the organization.
Art Director at EMP - Event Management Professionals
January 1, 2024 - Present
Creation of promotional handbooks/assets and social media templates.
Art Director at LTR Luxury Touring by Revolut - A division of EMP
January 1, 2024 - Present
Creation of logo and brand identity, promotional handbooks, assets and social media templates.
Art Director at The Australian Dental Association
September 1, 2022 - April 1, 2024
Production of assets for the FDI World Dental Congress 2023 including event space signage, wayfinding, symposium space, programs, social media assets, front-end web design, magazine ads, and event merchandise.
Art Director at SMUG AF
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2026
Brand identity design, illustration, drink packaging concepts, social media templates.
Senior Designer at The Freelance Jungle
January 1, 2017 - Present
Production of promotional assets, course materials, and merchandise for the support community.
Art Director at Redback Projects
January 1, 2016 - Present
Re-brand of Amplified Integration & Security; vehicle wraps, signage, web graphics, and social assets.
Art Director at Cheeky Monkeys Play House - OOSH Childcare
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2025
Brand refresh, illustration, in-centre signage, assets, vehicle wrap, uniforms, social templates, and web graphics.
Art Director at GDEP (Gentle Death Education & Planning)
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2023
Promotional assets, course materials, and Wix-based web design.
Senior Designer at The Unconvention Centre - disability support services
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Created company name and tagline; designed logo and illustration assets.
Senior Designer at The Lead Alliance
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Annual report design.
Art Director at Bronwyn Sterry Childcare Consultancy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021
Brand identity for Warriewood childcare; parent handbook and assets for multiple brands.
Senior Designer at Old Mate Media - creative agency
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Logo & Brand Identity design.
Art Director at Vacations & Travel Magazine
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Editorial design; monthly high-end travel magazine.
Senior Designer at Occupied - Independent Australian Film
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Design of electronic press kit.
Senior Designer at Northern Beaches CDAT - Community Drug Action Team
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Produced safe drinking and socialising manual for distribution to high schools.
Packaging Designer at Under the Cover Wines
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020
Wine and beer catalog designs.

Education

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Qualifications

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Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Retail
    uniE621 Design of Cosmopolitan Magazine for relaunch Issues: 01 - 08
    Cosmopolitan Magazine was relaunched by KK Press in 2024. I helmed the creative side of this relaunch and designed all new fixtures and features for the new iteration. I created the layouts and structure for the inaugural issue and developed the style over the next seven issues and additionally created promotional materials such as billboards and digital displays. KK Press was unable to sustain the title and folded in January 2026 with the publisher cited during explanatory interviews as saying that the creative was very well received. magazines magazinedesign graphicdesigner branding illustrator designer webdesigner…