Since graduating from The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, Brandon Staniford has developed a freelance career spanning graphic design, branding, merchandise, music, fashion and creative direction.
After graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brandon gained industry experience through internships with creative advertising agencies 2050 London and Drummond Central before moving into freelance work. His projects have included branding, product design, merchandise and creative campaigns for a range of agencies, brands and organisations.
Music has become a significant part of Brandon’s practice, with work for major labels including Sony Music and Universal Music, as well as projects for artists including Sam Fender and Nothing But Thieves. His work has covered everything from merchandise and tour posters to social and digital assets, allowing him to work across different aspects of an artist’s visual identity.
Brandon has also worked in fashion, including designing graphics and patterns for ASOS Design’s Collusion sub-brand. Alongside his commercial work, he has developed his practice in creative direction, working with artists and brands to create identities, campaigns, social content, animation and other visual assets.
One of the standout projects in Brandon’s career has been creating artwork for Foo Fighters. After being contacted by Silva Artist Management about designing a global tour poster for the band, changes to the tour and scheduling led to Brandon instead creating artwork for a one-off Foo Fighters show in Australia. As a lifelong fan of the band, the opportunity was a particularly significant milestone in his career.
Brandon’s advice to aspiring designers is to put their work out into the world, build relationships and connect with people working in the creative industries. He also credits the collaborative environment at The Northern School of Art with helping him develop his approach to networking, experimentation and working creatively.
“My advice for students is to get your work out there! Network, get to know people within the creative field you want to go into and don’t worry about AI; nothing beats a good hand-crafted and natural look.”
Brandon’s career demonstrates how Graphic Design can lead into a wide range of creative industries, from music and fashion to branding, advertising and creative direction. His work continues to combine commercial design with a strong personal creative practice, allowing him to work across different disciplines and with a diverse range of clients.
Website: https://www.brandonstaniford.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonstaniford/