( Hello again )

About

I’m Kenji. A brand designer who is passionate about creating brands that translate both personality and purpose to their target audience.

Profile Picture of Kenji Smith
( Collaboration )
I am a huge believer in collaborative work. Whether that’s involving the client as much as possible, or other creatives in the industry, collaborating creates a more purposeful story which will resonate more deeply with the audience. Also I can learn a hell of a lot from others too!
( Branding Process)
My process ranges from research, sketching and bespoke branding exercises to help get the ideas flowing!
( What I can offer )

Skills

Art Direction

Brand Identity

Brand Strategy

Digital Design

Editorial & Layout

Guidelines

Motion Graphics

Photography

Screenprinting

Web Design

Webflow Development

( Work )

CV

( Jan 2023 - Present )

Confederation Studio

Started a full-time role as a Midweight Graphic Designer at Confederation Studio. Exciting times ahead!

( Oct 2022 - Jan 2023)

Studio.Kenji

On hold for now. But slowly but surely, taking the steps to make my dream come true. Templates are made and ready for the branding process. From workshop, to strategy and design. This will enable me to be ready for incoming projects and collaborate with other creatives.

( May 2021 - Jan 2023)

Freelance

Worked with a variety of clients over the years. It has been great to directly talk with clients to do projects ranging from brand identities, brand refreshes, logo designs and editorial work. Long may this continue!

Clients: Freckle Design Studio, Innermost, Zagal, Earthy30, Konbini Kids, Sweet Free Association, STANCE, Pinstripe Studios, Futurecity, ScriptUp, Untapped Ventures, CHAI, EatGreen.

( Jun 2021 - Oct 2022 )

STANCE

I really loved working with Simon (Founder & Brand Director). He was a fantastic person to work with. I think we were a seriously solid team! I can't thank Simon enough for onboarding me on some amazing projects early on in my career.

STANCE is a creative agency with strong strategic foundations and brand narratives when creating brands. Supported and designed the brand identities of new and existing clients at STANCE on a part-time basis ( 3-days per week ).

STANCE's clients I worked with: Wire Analytics, Betsy, Circle, Chambers and Partners, Atlas, DNA Fit, Project Screen by Prenetics, Prenetics, Aloro.

( Oct 2021 - Oct 2022 )

Pinstripe Studio

Julia (Founder & Creative Director) is not just a fantastic designer but also a wonderful person. She helped me develop my skills as a designer and freelancer. Thank you Julia!

Focused on branding, web design, brand support, and winning proposals for Pinstripe and her clients on a part-time basis ( 2-days per week ).

Pinstripe Studio's clients I worked with: The Go-To, Michelle Beatty, Joby, Rideshur, Woodgreen, Felix Dennis Foundation, Access VC, Hubble, Kentish Projects, Snctuare, EVERYTHING.

( Pre - work )

Education

( Jan 2021 - April 2021 )

Shillington College

Where it all started really. One of the best decisions I have made was enrolling on this course. Studied Graphic Design at Shillington College, Manchester. I learnt all relevant skills—including design theory, typography, packaging, branding, digital design and UX/UI.

( Sept 2015 - May 2019)

University of Edinburgh

Graduated with a 2:1 in Economics with Finance. I know. Surprised. It is always strange to me too to think I studied this subject. But, absolutely no regrets. I still use the research and organisational skills I learnt back then, so I'm happy!

( Branding )

Approach

( Step 1 )

Identify brand narrative

Through bespoke workshop exercises, we take a deep-dive into the brand reveal unqiue stories.

( Step 2 )

Clarify strategy

Refine the brand narrative and strategy to create a solid framework foundation.

( Step 3 )

Making it memorable

Translating steps 1 + 2 to visually craft a meaningful and purposeful brand.