Jim Ladbury - Designer
With over 20 years of editorial graphic design experience, I am creative, reliable and able to deliver projects on time and within budget.
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Overview
I’m a highly experienced, creative graphic designer working in publishing across both print and digital. Commercial experience in corporate communications, exhibition work, advertising, brand identity and packaging.
I have a work-history with a variety of high-profile clients from larger corporates to SMEs and success in meeting wide ranging creative briefs. I've worked on award-winning publications and contributed to their companies growth. This has also included digital work for social media and web, plus some branding and marketing projects.
My range of skills include art direction, retouching, publishing, branding, typography and commissioning content.
Recently I have been commissioned by The Art Newspaper to redesign newspaper supplements for US contemporary art fairs, updated supplement designs for National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine, and was the lead designer on The Big Issue magazine for 10 years.
I am passionate about design and have many contacts with a host of amazing illustrators and photographers to call upon. I would love to speak to anyone about any projects that they would like me to work on if I am a suitable fit.
I have a work-history with a variety of high-profile clients from larger corporates to SMEs and success in meeting wide ranging creative briefs. I've worked on award-winning publications and contributed to their companies growth. This has also included digital work for social media and web, plus some branding and marketing projects.
My range of skills include art direction, retouching, publishing, branding, typography and commissioning content.
Recently I have been commissioned by The Art Newspaper to redesign newspaper supplements for US contemporary art fairs, updated supplement designs for National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine, and was the lead designer on The Big Issue magazine for 10 years.
I am passionate about design and have many contacts with a host of amazing illustrators and photographers to call upon. I would love to speak to anyone about any projects that they would like me to work on if I am a suitable fit.
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Art
Music
Travel
Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Cultural & Ethnic
Literary Fiction
Work experience
Freelance senior designer
Self-employed
January, 2019
–
Present
(about 4 years)
I’m currently freelancing at The Art Newspaper doing editorial work and helping out with special projects. Apart from working on monthly issues I've been involved with prepping work for daily issues in LA, New York and Hong Kong.
A redesigned supplement for The Armory Show in New York was well received by both the London and New York offices, this has led to a longer contract and more regular work.
Senior designer
APL Media Limited
January, 2018
–
January, 2019
(about 1 year)
Maternity cover for National Geographic Traveller (UK), lead designer on all supplements and co-designer on the magazine. Designed and published weekly HTML newsletters, commissioned travel photographers and illustrators. Created newspaper inserts for the Mail on Sunday and The Guardian. The magazine won a BSME award during this time.
Senior designer
The Big Issue
September, 2007
–
September, 2017
(about 10 years)
Lead designer on the award-winning Big Issue account, responsible for layout, picture research, production and assisting the Art Director (occasionally acted as the Art Director which involved designing covers). Sourced and commissioned photographers and illustrators, and helped to manage the budget.
• Supervised the production of The Big Chill festival programmes, poster campaigns and supplements which created additional revenue for the company
• Worked on a redesign of the magazine which led to PPA awards and increased circulation
• Set up the template and design for The Big Issue Festival Guide which is used annually and has consistently high ad sales
• Designed Big Issue covers that were sold as artwork at Big Issue charity events
• Managed an offshore retouching team for The Big Issue which made production more efficient
• Worked on The Big Issue Foundation’s identity and made exhibition panels for HSBC to create a brand partnership.
Graphic designer
Self-employed
August, 2004
–
September, 2007
(about 3 years)
Clients: Tate Galleries, The Art Newspaper, Jack Morton, BSkyB, Ogilvy, MBA, NSPCC, Canon, Plaza Publishing, The Gate, McCann Ericsson, Barker Langham
• Designed print materials for Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St. Ives which featured in Creative Review
• Designed pages for Ambition magazine which won the coveted award for Best Online Magazine at the Membership Excellence Awards, 2017
• Worked with the design team on the launch of the Sky Arts identity
• Led the design and production for Charity Finance magazine
• Designed print for the NSPCC’s Trek Tanzania which encouraged people to sign up and raise money
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