Welcome to my design portfolio!
ROSS EDWARDS DESIGNS
I’m excited to share a collection of my designs that are close to my heart.
Inside, you’ll find a mix of creativity, passion, and personal projects
that reflects my journey as a designer, hope you enjoy!
Cabal - the brand
I began with these designs because they are representative of the beginning and the latest parts of this story.
The "Cabal Sphinx," left,
is the first t-shirt design I ever sold, back in 2014.
On the right, is a reimagined version of that original design, now featured on printed hoodie
as "Cabal 39" in 2024.
cabal - The Project
The Cabal Sphinx piece was a key part of my final university project, where I dove into branding and clothing production.
I gained hands-on experience in logo design, marketing, screen printing, labels, packaging, and worked with textile designers
and print technicians. I also had the chance to sell products
at markets in Barcelona.
This project is a source of pride as it challenged me to bring
a concept to life from start to finish. The most rewarding part, however, was learning the true value of collaboration, which made the experience both fulfilling and enjoyable.
Becoming Ross Edwards Designs
I designed these logos for my own marketing, and I always find it interesting to reflect on them. The 2014 design is my very first personal logo as a graphic designer, and looking back,
it's rewarding to see how much my work has evolved over
the years. Each new design feels more refined, creative,
and meaningful, with a stronger sense of aesthetic
and intention than the last. It's a great visual representation
of my growth and development in the field.
Making Connections
My first live project with an external client came during
my second year of university in 2013. I was tasked with
creating a logo from scratch, with complete creative freedom.
While the subject matter might not have been the most inspiring, looking back, I'm happy of how I managed to
create a clean, coherent, and logical logo that has withstood the test of time. It’s a great reminder of the value of solid design principles and the lasting impact of simplicity.
Creating Visibility
Building on the Core logo project, I was later asked to design
a logo for the talented photographer Eileen Long, who had just completed her Master’s in Photography. I was thrilled
to collaborate with her. This is another project I’m particularly proud of, the logo I created came in various formats, told
a story, and still holds its own today.
However, what truly made this project special was the additional opportunity Eileen gave me to get involved in her Too Many Women initiative, which aimed to raise awareness
for breast cancer. I had the privilege of designing a promotional brochure for the gallery event, and it was an honor
to contribute to such a meaningful cause.
A-z
‘Elefont´ was one of my best-selling print designs throughout university and also the first design I ever sold.
Digital design was completely new to me at the time,
so the positive feedback I received was incredibly rewarding. Looking back, it’s clear that my creative eye
for art and design is somewhat natural and I’ve worked hard to become more efficient in the digital world.
This piece is a key part of that journey, marking a pivotal moment in my growth as a designer.
being visible - RODE
Dalton maag workshop
I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a typography workshop with Dalton Maag. We were tasked with using the initials
of our names to create a hypothetical product, my design developed into a BMX company, here I received valuable feedback on this design which inspired me to apply for an internship. As a result, of this,
I was offered a place at Dalton Maag's headquarters in London.
GROwing
Since graduating, I've had the opportunity to create several logos for real clients.
One project I particularly enjoyed was designing for Retro Rebuilds in the UK,
but my personal favorite is the logo I crafted for Neurodivergent Naturalist (left).
Another project I'm especially proud of was collaborating with
my lifelong friend, Joe Harkness, to create a logo that truly captured the essence of his project and subsequent book,
Bird Therapy.
We printed tote bags to raise funds for the book’s publishing, along with t-shirts for marketing, one of which you can see Joe wearing here, while chatting with Sir David Attenborough.
It was a fantastic experience, both creatively and personally.
bird therapy
living the dream
As a budding designer, I had always dreamed
of creating music album covers, so it was a real thrill to get my first opportunity with the cover
for Ricky Lix & DJ Chrome, who were
up-and-coming artists on the UK hip hop scene
at the time.
The album’s release gave me visibility in the scene, and soon after, I started designing posters for UK hip hop events in my hometown.
Merging my passion for both art and music made this project, as well as the events posters, a blast to be a part of.
Though I ended up working full-time in technology for some stability, I never stopped creating art. Looking back on 2020, despite the challenges we all faced, it gave me the freedom to create and reignited my dream of becoming a professional creative.
During that time I discovered my own personal illustrative style, and when I create
art for myself, this is the kind of work that emerges. One of my more popular pieces,
"You Gotta Get it Going Bud", has almost sold out of t-shirts on my website.
You Gotta Get it Going Bud
lose yourself
While I realise that this piece is quite bold,
for me, it serves a purpose. After discovering
my own illustrative style and diving deeper into
it, the "devil on my shoulder" had some questions that needed answering. As a kid, I spent countless hours drawing without a second thought,
but as I grew, I felt the need to prove to myself that I could still create something technically solid and well-balanced. While it might come off as a bit provocative, it’s one of my favourite pieces.
Barcelona
I wanted to give my illustrations more context and challenge myself to create something on a larger scale.
Having lived in Barcelona for 10 years, I decided to draw inspiration from this beautiful city and test my knowledge
of its essence. It was a project full of challenges; making sure each element was accurately represented, choosing the right colors, and perfecting the layout. In the end, I’m really happy with how it turned out. This print is available on my website
and i’ve sold various copies.
Becoming rossdebcnart
I chose this piece as a representation of my deep love for illustration and the joy I find in drawing inspiration from life and my experiences. Inspired by a mural
I found on one of my (somewhat spiritual) trips to Mexico. It reflects not only
my journey in discovering my own illustrative style but also my passion for experimentation. Whether it's through digital work, collaborations, or simply working with my hands, I embrace every medium and challenge. Art is at the core of who I am, and I’m determined to become a successful, thriving creative.
…for taking the time to explore my design portfolio!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.