I’m an award-winning logo designer, seasoned freelancer, design educator, dad and owner of Barnard.co. I specialise in designing logos and visual identities with meaning. 

I got my start in graphic design more than a decade ago, working in the publishing industry. I have designed creative content for some of the UK’s biggest titles, including The Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Men’s Health, Empire, Cosmopolitan, The Times and many more.

These days I run my freelance logo design business from the Gold Coast, Australia, after emigrating from London in 2021. I have a ridiculous variety of skills in design software, which I aim to pass on to the next generation of designers through my social platforms. 

My work has been published in the Logo Lounge and I speak as an authority in the world of logo design at design conferences, on podcasts and for other design channels.  

Podcasts Interviews

“James offers more than just technical expertise—he has a remarkable talent for demystifying complex questions, transforming them into straightforward and accessible answers”

- Tradeprint

"James is a logo legend, a brand beast, a design doyen, and a committed collaborator.”

- Matt Silverman, The Sherwood Project

“It was an honour to be able to pick James’ brain on how to use social media to get more clients and grow effectively”

- Josh Hall, Web Design Business Podcast

Join the newsletter and let's stay in touch

My Background

Employment History
Barnard.co
Barnard.co

2015 – Present

After leaving the Daily Telegraph to join another national media mogul as a digital lead, I quickly became disillusioned with the processes I was being forced to follow. Having to consistently put out fires, and slot my team into a tired workflow was frustrating, and ultimately not for me.

In 2015 I went out on my own and I have never looked back. As the underdog, I worked tirelessly to position myself as a creative lead in a highly competitive market. Fortunately, I’ve had tremendous success with some seriously high profile clients.

The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph

Senior Designer, Digital Marketing
2014 – 2015

Senior Designer across the Daily Telegraph’s digital marketing and eCRM department. Responsible for the design and build of digital creative, promoting Telegraph products on a number of outlets.

Additionally, I have worked regularly in a freelance capacity for the Telegraph’s creative content department Spark, producing branded content pages, online games, quizzes and much more.

Bauer Media Group
Bauer Media Group

Senior Interactive Designer, Advertising
2012 – 2014

Senior Interactive Designer, promoted from Digital Designer, at Bauer Media. I worked across all of Bauer Media’s London Lifestyle titles (FHM, Grazia, Empire, Heat, Kiss FM, etc). Responsible for the design and production of industry leading mixed media creative solutions (online advertorials, microsites, website takeover skins, facebook apps, flash adverts, email newsletters, etc).

Hearst Magazines UK
Hearst Magazines UK

Multimedia Designer
2010 – 2012

In-house designer for runnersworld.co.uk, triathletesworld.co.uk, menshealth.co.uk and Runner’s World magazine’s promotional pages. Responsible for the creation of editorial e-newsletters, flash advertising, online and print advertorial pages.