About Dalasso Design
Creative experience, without the agency baggage.
Dalasso Design is an independent creative studio founded and led by James Benn, working with businesses, brands and organisations to develop thoughtful, distinctive and effective creative.
With a career spanning more than 15 years, James has worked across illustration, graphic design, branding, advertising and digital, collaborating with everyone from independent businesses and start-ups to established organisations and some of the biggest names in publishing and media.
From illustration to design
James began his creative career shortly after graduating from the University of the Arts London in 2010, landing an advertising role with Virgin Media through Dutch Uncle Illustration Agency. This was followed by regular illustration work for The Guardian's sports section, as well as a year creating illustrations for The Independent's opinion column.
Working with agencies, publishers and clients directly, illustration provided a strong foundation in visual communication and taught James how to develop ideas, work to a brief and create imagery with a clear purpose.
Over time, that naturally evolved into graphic design. A fascination with composition, typography, colour, line and texture led to a broader creative practice; one where there was no need to be restricted to a single visual style.
James went on to work in both agency and in-house environments, gaining experience across a wide variety of projects before taking the leap into freelance design in 2020 and establishing Dalasso Design.
Dalasso Design
Today, Dalasso works across branding, creative direction, digital, print, campaigns and illustration, helping businesses develop their visual identity and bring ideas to life.
Projects have ranged from complete brand identities and advertising campaigns to websites, social content, packaging, publications, signage, exhibition graphics, illustration and large-format artwork. The common thread is simple: good ideas, thoughtfully designed and executed.
Dalasso Design can work as an extension of an existing team, provide creative direction from the ground up, or simply step in when an extra pair of experienced creative hands is needed.
Experience that goes beyond the job title
Over the years, James has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients and publications, including:
The Guardian · The Independent · The Sunday Times · Virgin Media · Fujitsu · Lloyd's Market Magazine · New Statesman · Boosey & Hawkes · Drapers · Estates Gazette · Financial Director · Director Magazine · Lawyer Magazine · Modus Magazine · Sunday Times Travel · Builder Magazine · MFE Magazine · Redhouse Lane · Sunday Publishing · and many more.
From a logo on a business card to a four-metre event banner, the approach remains the same: understand the brief, find the idea and make it work.
Let's make something good.
Have a project in mind, a brand that needs some attention or simply an idea you don't know what to do with?