JAMES BIRCH
Creative Director | Senior Designer
After almost two decades exploring the design world and engaging in all things brand, James is ultimately fascinated by the vital role a creative outlook plays in life; from a great meal or a hit song to an inspired building or a business card that’s worth a conversation. He teases out, dreams up and inhabits the inspiration and the pursuit of great ideas. He’s not about design that just looks pretty, but design that makes a company more valuable.
While very diverse, his aesthetic approach often verges on minimalism with a distinct sense of play. As lover of innovative concepts, clean lines, simple messages, humourous quips and imaginative photography his work is unmistakable. Strategically, he aims to elevate a brand by pinpointing audience appeal and distilling core messaging down to its clearest and freshest visual form. He specializes in helping individuals and companies increase their target-market visibility by creating eye-catching artwork. He’s committed to staying current with trending design and constantly challenges himself to learn more.
He’s a Creative Manager, Art Director, Senior Designer and accidental app designer. A dabbler of web design and customer journey development as well as an interior and exterior designer tackling everything from turnkey branding, product development, typography and the design and visual maintenance of various e-commerce platforms. He has lead teams to positive outcomes combining his skills in product strategy, service design, user experience and product design.
Whether it’s creating engaging and visually stunning social content or conceptualizing visuals for nationwide campaigns he is how you take an idea to the next level.
The History
Starting his career in Manchester UK as a young enthusiastic graphic designer who stepped out into the world of freelance armed with an arsenal of unwavering talent and confidence, he quickly became one of the fashion industry’s hottest commodities and worked closely with the N Brown Group in Manchester. Focusing much of his talents on helping push the Jacamo brand to become a household name, this included High & Mighty, Premier Man, Simply Be, Williams & Brown.
His journey took him to the UAE where he was last seen molding the brands of Dubai’s F&B giant Kcal World. Starting in 2006 as a freelance job, he developed the original brand design for the company’s first restaurant which was built and opened in 2010.
Then, in 2015 he joined the forward-thinking company full time as Head of Design to create and develop refined, impactful and inspiring brand experiences he was charged with overseeing the creative management of his team.
Since 2006 under the direction of James Kcal World has developed 6 powerful brands, opened 15 restaurants and developed two e-commerce meal plan platforms.
So, whether you are a budding startup or an established company, differentiation in today’s competitive marketplace demands excellence in design. As a trusted advisor James works with brands to build an enjoyable and memorable identity. He prioritises a research-based approach to ensure each design is targeted to each client’s larger brand strategy.