McDonalds — 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

By Production (click to view)

Role

Type

Date

Silo

Senior graphic designer

Silo

Senior graphic designer

Lead graphic designer

Silo

RSPCA

Surface

Assistant graphic designer

Treason

Graphics assistant (dailies)

Limited Series

ITVX

Sep 2021

McDonalds Christmas

Graphic designer

Sep 2023

Smuggler
Leo Burnett UK
‘Fancy a McDonalds this Christmas?’
Commercial

Production designer: Anna Rhodes
Director: Shannon Murphy
Art director: Lucy Fewell
Producer: Lucy Gossage

In this McDonalds Christmas campaign for 2023 — Raise Your Arches — we decked out a shopping arcade in Croydon, as a charming Santa’s grotto.

I worked closely with the production designer, Anna Rhodes, to create some warm and playful graphics, including a Christmas tree wallpaper for a large room.

Creative Review: McDonalds offers “moments of release” in Christmas ad (Nov 2023)

Christmas tree wallpaper loosely inspired by ‘Duncan’s Toy Chest’ in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Printed on a 130cmW roll, and designed to perfectly tessellate over multiple drops across the wall.

Reference: Duncan’s Toy Chest in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Extra large foamex signage for Santa’s grotto.

Action props for SAs — black cut vinyl on fluoro stock, and a ‘180’ sign for darts fans.

Coverup hoardings for train station shops — ‘Oliver Bonas adjacent’.

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