Made by James: The Honest Guide to Creativity and Logo Design

Design better logos and become a more successful, confident graphic designer with Made by James as your guide.

*Winner of the 2021 American Graphic Design Award for Book Design from Graphic Design USA*

UK-based graphic designer James Martin shares his wealth of experience, information, and advice with one goal in mind: to help designers of all levels create better work and enjoy the process. James has designed hundreds of logos for a variety of top brands, and shares his unique creative process, from concept to sketches to final design. Learn how to create outstanding logos, craft and refine your creative process, build great relationships with clients, and become prolific and consistent.

Discover how James creates innovative, clever, and memorable logos with his own hands-on, step-by-step process that includes word mapping, rapid prototyping, and sketching ideas on paper. Learn how to become a visual storyteller by understanding the key factors of working with clients and making them a valued part of the process.

In addition to the important “hows” of logo design—techniques, ideas, and examples of creating logos and building brands—you will benefit from learning aspects of the business rarely discussed: how to become more disciplined, how to see failures as valuable experiences, and ways to avoid burnout.

James shows that design isn’t just about creating images; it’s about building trusting relationships with clients, finding inspiration and using it effectively, and sharing ideas and becoming part of a community.

Made by James also includes:

• Annotated case studies that follow designs from concept to completion
• The advantages of a hands-on, human approach to design
• The value of personal and career growth, and how to enjoy the journey of improvement
• Effective work habits that can make you more efficient, productive, and satisfied

Learn how to harness your passion and become the designer you’ve always wanted to be.

James Martin is a British designer, author, and educator best known as Made by James. For more than 20 years, he has helped thousands of creatives, founders, and brands build recognizable reputations that create extraordinary opportunities. His books, Made by James and No Bullsh*t Branding, challenge the traditional view of branding as simply logos or visual identity, presenting it instead as the ongoing process of becoming the obvious choice through trust, behavior, and meaningful human connection. James serves on Canva’s Design Advisory Board and is a creative partner to Lincoln Design Co. and Affinity. At the heart of his work is a simple belief: opportunity is not something you wait for, but something you can design. Through speaking, mentoring, writing, and partnerships with global brands, James helps people think differently about reputation, relationships, and the everyday behaviors that produce remarkable outcomes, championing craft, generosity, continuous learning, and the power of human creativity to shape the world.

Made by James is the personal brand of renowned logo designer James Martin. Made by James is the place to go for pioneering logo and brand identity design and where designers of all ages seek honest and real advice about the creative industry. Made by James has become the go-to platform for logo education, ideas on the design process, and inspiring content that keeps creatives positive and motivated. This is the community for anyone who wants to develop their skills as a creative.