About — Abby James – Graphic designer for film, TV and commercials

Graphic designer for film, TV and commercials

Creating graphic details — big and small — to build worlds behind the camera. Sharp eye for layout and typography, from a decade in journalism and magazine publishing. Stuck in the late 20th century. Versed in period and contemporary. Lover of design high and low.

Former magazine journalist and print layout designer. Member of Graphics Union UK.

Based in London and the South East.

graphics@abbyjames.com
+44 (0) 7521 300 477

Theme (click to view)

Newspapers

Magazines, books and printed materials

Floors, carpets, windows and walls

Locations and dressing plans

Artworks

Role (click to view)

Production

Type

Date

Senior graphic designer

Senior graphic designer

Graphic designer (uncredited)

Lead graphic designer

Assistant graphic designer

Graphics assistant (dailies)

Go back to Selected Work

Recent credits

Poster by Brandon Schaefer

Education

UPCOMING: Making Books School
London Centre for Book Arts
Mar 2026

Art History and Art Appreciation
The Art Institute
2025 – present

Graphics Mentorship
ScreenSkills
Jan 2023 – Jul 2023

The Art Department
Talking Point Film
December 2021

Production Design for Film and Screen
Australian Film Television and Radio School
January 2022

Graphic Design
Shillington College
2021 – 2022

Media Law
London School of Journalism
2018

Project Management
Pitman Training
2017

NCTJ (Level 4) Diploma in
Newspaper/Magazine Journalism
National Council for the Training of Journalists
2015–2016

BSc Bioscience (First Class Hons)
Canterbury Christ Church University
2010 – 2013

Experience

Freelance graphic designer
2020 – present

Roles across publishing industry, including:
Opinion editor
Magazine production editor
Layout designer
Copy editor
Subeditor
Reporter
Proofreader
Editorial assistant
2013 – 2021

Skills and tools

Adobe Creative Suite, with a specialism in InDesign and newspapers
Former journalist and magazine layout designer
Typography and typesetting
Print file preparation and handover
Thorough research and reference collection
Clear dressing and graphics installation plans for props teams
Concise presentation documents for director approval
Managing graphics teams
Looking after graphics-heavy sets alone
Story-telling, world-building and consideration for character
Prop-making and book-binding
A3+ printer, A1 plotter and large art kit
Car and UK driving licence

Press

GU presents: Bringing Silo 17 to life (Silo S2)
Graphics Union UK
Jan 2025

Set Decorator Jonnie Mead on the intricacies of creating the immersive, lived-in world of Silo 17’s schoolroom (Silo S2)
Apple TV+
Nov 2024

‘The Crown’ Auction – ‘Elizabeth Debicki (as Princess Diana): A selection of character props relating to scenes involving the Bosnian minefield storyline’ (The Crown S6)
Bonhams
Feb 2024

Work for

Favourite graphics

I started early.

‘Santa Catches Runaway Bin Laden’
Shears Green Junior School
Abigail James
24 Dec 2001
—
237 year old Santa caught the well known terroist (sic) BIN LADEN! Here’s the story: Santa was just delivering some presents and he went past Afghanistan and he saw a moving object. Santa went closer, getting curious, he realized it was Bin Laden. He went down to land, he chucked him in a sack and carried on going on his sleigh to the next police station. No need to worry, your children’s presents will be delivered in time for Christmas. Bin Laden is now behind bars and will be taken into court on January 1st. We have found Bin Laden’s hideout, his next plan was to blow up America and the whole of England. Do not worry he is in Jail and probably will not be able to come out. Santa also says his new baby boy has been born, his name is James Christmas. Julie (mother xmas) and Santa are very proud of him. Find out more on Page 1. Reported for the Daily Mail by Abigail James. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

‘Letter to a Brownie Pack Holiday’
Lauren James (1987–2001)
Summer 1999
—
To Abby, I hope you are having a fun time. I hope the weather’s nice, when I was in the Brownies, on our pack holiday it was a really sunny day and we had a water fight it was really fun. Well I will see you on Saturday till then it is goodbye I think. I miss you even though we fight all the time! Love you. Lots of love, Lauren

Email / phone

graphics@abbyjames.com
+ 44 (0) 7521 300 477

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Some work reproduced here is subject to copyright of the specified production company.