James Barnard didn’t start out in design. He originally wanted to work in the music industry. But after a detour through web development and publishing design in London, he found his true calling: logo and identity design.

In this episode, Kirk and Andy talk with James about his path from learning Photoshop at a data entry job to designing for major UK newspapers and building his own studio in Australia. They dive into how James refined his creative process, how he manages client expectations, and why sharing design tutorials on social media became his most powerful business driver.

They also discuss:

How to build a clean logo design process clients understand
Using “brand nouns” to align early and avoid wasted work
The importance of giving clients time to process designs
How one viral TikTok post unlocked a steady stream of client leads

James also shares how he balances teaching with client work, why he prioritizes clarity over perfection, and how community sharing has improved both his practice and the industry at large.

If you want to sharpen your logo design workflow or learn how to attract clients by teaching what you know, this one’s packed with ideas you can apply.

Follow James at barnard.co and @barnardco on Instagram

Connect with James on LinkedIn

Follow Kirk at mindthefont.com.

Follow Andy at buttermilkcreative.com.

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About Kirk and Andy.

Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.

Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.

Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics

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