If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Me? I believe in the power of creativity and ideas, in beautifully-crafted graphic design and brand identities.

I provide a core of creative services – graphic design, brand identity and logo design, creative ideas and direction, print design, packaging, website design, social media kits, direct marketing, exhibition and display graphics – and stay supple by partnering with specialist talents in animation, illustration, photography, video, copywriting, coding, and so on.

But you don’t need a menu of services, you need to stand out.

This is why my approach is to dig into the detail – really uncover what makes you special, understand your objectives, see the bigger picture and where you want to get to longer-term. And the best bit? I don’t have a rigid process with a gimmicky acronym.

It’s simply about listening.

Which is possibly why we all have two ears, yet only one mouth. Listening doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to say, though. Nope, I believe in questioning everything. Because I strive to make things better for you.

So, why not get in touch and tell me your story…

These are some of the people I have helped stand out.

Who’s the “I” and “me” you’re reading about? I’m James Bristow. An experienced graphic designer and creative director, I’ve also worked in blue-chip branding strategy and design, brand management and marketing in the food industry, before bringing 20 years of practical, hands-on experience into the one-man-studio Beanwave.

Beanwave hits that sweet spot between hiring a freelance designer and working with a larger agency.

You’ll have me personally working with you, and I can bring in specialist talents if or where required. This gives me the flexibility to stay small while the ideas can grow big (and you’re not paying for account managers and layers of management).

“James is a terrific person to work with because he’s efficient, professional and has a wonderfully creative mind. He understands how to make a brand stand out from the crowd, with minimal fuss. Highly recommended.”
– Marcus Atkinson, Rh45 / Howden Group

Tight, incisive briefs are the lifeblood of good graphic design, but I also enjoy a freedom from commercial restraints as a screenprint artist.

Mostly abstract, sometimes typographic. Always colourful.

See more here.