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Hi, I'm James Johnson, a freelance illustrator and visual designer based in Denton, TX. I focus on character-centered artwork, readable compositions, and supportive visual storytelling for print and web. I translate loose direction, sketches, and reference samples into polished visuals that feel approachable, emotionally clear, and easy to follow. My strengths include expression, silhouette, composition, visual hierarchy, color, revision-friendly files, and organized digital handoff.…Hi, I'm James Johnson, a freelance illustrator and visual designer based in Denton, TX. I focus on character-centered artwork, readable compositions, and supportive visual storytelling for print and web. I translate loose direction, sketches, and reference samples into polished visuals that feel approachable, emotionally clear, and easy to follow. My strengths include expression, silhouette, composition, visual hierarchy, color, revision-friendly files, and organized digital handoff.

James Johnson

Illustrator, Designer, Character Designer, +2

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Hi, I'm James Johnson, a freelance illustrator and visual designer based in Denton, TX. I focus on character-centered artwork, readable compositions, and supportive visual storytelling for print and web. I translate loose direction, sketches, and reference samples into polished visuals that feel approachable, emotionally clear, and easy to follow. My strengths include expression, silhouette, composition, visual hierarchy, color, revision-friendly files, and organized digital handoff.…Hi, I'm James Johnson, a freelance illustrator and visual designer based in Denton, TX. I focus on character-centered artwork, readable compositions, and supportive visual storytelling for print and web. I translate loose direction, sketches, and reference samples into polished visuals that feel approachable, emotionally clear, and easy to follow. My strengths include expression, silhouette, composition, visual hierarchy, color, revision-friendly files, and organized digital handoff.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m James Johnson, a freelance illustrator and visual designer based in Denton, TX. I focus on character-centered artwork, readable compositions, and supportive visual storytelling for print and web.

I translate loose direction, sketches, and reference samples into polished visuals that feel approachable, emotionally clear, and easy to follow. My strengths include expression, silhouette, composition, visual hierarchy, color, revision-friendly files, and organized digital handoff.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Editorial Illustration

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Consultant at JEGA, Inc.

January 1, 2018 - Present

Created visual concepts, illustrated layouts, presentation visuals, and character-supporting imagery from rough direction, sketches, copy, and stakeholder input. Built print- and web-ready assets with attention to readability, composition, color, focal points, image sizing, and export quality. Developed thumbnail-first visuals so characters, scenes, and key focal points stayed clear at small sizes and across formats. Translated complex or abstract ideas into simple visual explanations, supporting graphics, and easy-to-follow layouts. Collaborated through feedback rounds to refine tone, expression, composition, clarity, and final presentation. Prepared layered source files, labeled groups, organized exports, and versioned assets for smoother handoff and future updates.

Content and Visualization Freelancer at Independent

January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2017

Delivered illustrations, covers, posters, promotional graphics, and print/web-ready visual assets for small businesses, authors, events, and creative projects. Created character-focused and story-supporting visuals from loose direction, reference samples, rough notes, and client feedback. Combined illustration, typography, photo editing, and layout into coherent visual pieces that preserved legibility across print, web, and social formats. Built cover art and interior graphics for self-published and small-press projects, coordinating trim, bleed, resolution, and file specifications for printers or publishing platforms. Iterated quickly on visual concepts, presenting variations in color, composition, character direction, and visual style. Adapted visual tone across different audiences and genres, including playful consumer-facing work, story-driven art, and more restrained informational materials. Maintained organized project files and final exports to make revisions, collaboration, and