WGDB (or Will's Graphic Design Bureau in its expanded nomenclature) is the design studio of William Geoffrey Denton-Balme. I create visual identities, campaigns, websites, UI, POS, magazines, illustration, presentations and copy.
My clients are both big and small; international and local.
With experience that encompasses digital and print media across a variety of sectors; I'm fast, accurate and would love the opportunity to work with you.

Curriculum Vitae
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Freelance Art Director & Designer
August 2016 – Present

I’ve worked with: The Marketing Store; Netflix; McDonalds; Universal Pictures; Hasbro; Warner Bros; Ty; Pokémon; Haygarth; Vodafone; Harrods; Sony Ericsson; Cult LDN; Sally Hansen; Brands 2 Life; LinkedIn; Nikon; Premier Inn; DLA Piper; Gemalto; General Electric; VMWare; Biamp; Drive; IKEA; Marks & Spencer; The Meatless Farm; ISG; Create for Turner Broadcast & CNN; Original 45; Local Dialogue; Muse Developments; Berkeley Group & St. James; NHS & UCLH; Lambeth Council; The Wine Society; Gen 2; The Creative Consultancy; Sutikki; Redbridge Together; Initiative; Zap Electric; Ecoeasy; Koios; Rosie; Nice-Pak.

Senior Art Director, Lidl UK
January 2009 – July 2016

I was a hands-on senior art director in the UK creative team of the third largest retailer in the world, delivering campaigns and branding projects across a wide range of channels.
Projects included: branding; advertising; campaigns; magazines; editorial; press; catalogues; out-of-home; POS; direct marketing; digital; radio; and packaging.
My responsibilities were: art direction and design; creating content, copywriting and editing; commissioning copywriters, photographers and illustrators; art directing photo shoots. Managing projects and budgets; presenting proposals to stakeholders and clients; recruiting and interviewing new talent; mentoring and training junior staff. Artworking; post-production of photography; preflighting artwork; press passing at printers in the UK and Europe; research and development of new substrates and print finishes.

Freelance Designer
October 2007 – December 2008

Clients included: Thames Water, Sony Ericsson, Ideaworks3D, Surfpin, Ploom and Bestival.

Senior Artist, Ideaworks3D
August 2004 – October 2007

My role at this Bafta award winning games and technology company was to develop original content for mobile. I was also responsible for designing pitch work and the company’s branding and marketing.
Our clients included Nokia, Electronic Arts, Konami and Square Enix.
My remit included: concept artwork and visualisation; 3D modelling and texturing; UI design, animation and implementation; illustration for in-game and promotional assets; company logo, identity and website design; creating exhibition displays, press ads and other promotional items.

Freelance Designer & Illustrator
August 2000 – July 2004

Commissions included: album covers; logos; illustrations; stationery; print and digital flyers; posters; ticket designs; retouching; and fabric design for fashion.
Clients included: Next, Noble Publishing, Famous Moe’s Pizza, Renegade Hardware, McLay Interiors, Precidio, Baku, The Compact Pussycat, Progresso Records Trouble On Vinyl, 3D Dance & Drama Development, and MBS Property.

Skills & Software
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•  Idea generation
•  Research & development
•  Creative direction
•  Art direction
•  Design
•  Typography
•  Illustration
•  Copywriting
•  Retouching & post-production
•  Project & team management
•  Presenting projects to clients & stakeholders
•  Commissioning & briefing
•  Knowledge of production methods 
•  Knowledge of materials
•  Excellent communicator
•  Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, Maya
•  MS Office, Keynote, Perforce
•  Basic use of Sketch, Animate, Premiere
Education
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BA (Hons) Illustration  2:1
University of Westminster
BTEC Foundation Art & Design  2:1
Brighton College of Technology
Maya Comprehensive
Escape Studios
Production Techniques for Designers
London College of Printing
A-Levels: Art & Design, English, French
Eastbourne College
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