Hi! my name is Ben and welcome to my online portfolio.

Hire me if you want a creative designer who can cover all of your design needs. I’m always looking for challenging freelance projects and I would love to hear from you.

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Ben Akhurst

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A little about me

Sydney based jack of all trades graphic artist, illustrator, designer and general problem solver, I’m best known for my work in magazine publishing.

I started as an illustrator and sign/ticket writer, but soon my love of typography and illustration was being applied to an emerging desktop publishing industry.

With more than 10 years industry experience, I’ve worked on every part that the publishing world could cover. Print Magazines, ipad magazines, web design, logo design, events, trade shows, illustration, presentations, media kits and more. Anything that a media/publishing organisation could need. From initial concepts to final completion.

In recent years my eye for detail and propensity for efficient workflow solutions has lead me to producing large data base driven business directories.

I also create magazines for tablets like the ipad.

Last year I was runner up for B2B Designer of the Year, and a finalist in B2B Cover of the Year for Hotel Management magazine at Publishers Australia’s 2012 Excellence Awards.

This is what I do and I’m dammed good at it!

I’ve been doing this design thing for over 10 years and for just about every medium. So here is an outline of what I do.

Publication design

I’ve been designing magazines for over a decade, working on specialised business-to-business, corporate and consumer titles. My varied background and a love for typography have given me a unique perspective when it comes to understanding my client’s individual requirements, ensuring that I consistently deliver the highest standards and achieving my client’s desired outcome. But as important it is to achieve the best design outcome, I’m also well aware of the need to get the job done on time. Having a solid production process is essential to reaching deadlines and creating the time to achieve the creative outcome needed. I’m using Indesign CS5.5 for all my magazines.

Illustration

This is where it all started for me, it runs in the family. Illustration for editorial, logos, labels, poster’s, signage, these days even tattoo’s, pretty much anything you can think of I’ve done it.

Web design

I design websites using the WordPress Content Management System. From small to big business.

Document design

And by that I mean pretty much anything that is printed. Media kits, advertising, brochures, annual reports, even new logos & letterheads.

Re-design

I’ve re-designed many magazine titles and logos over the years. Whilst this has sometimes required making only small changes to achieve a significant impact, other times achieving the desired result has meant throwing it all out the window and starting again. In the end, it is all about understanding my client’s goals and how they communicate to their audience, then delivering a solution that ensures consistency is maintained from issue to issue.

ipad

I’m currently using the Adobe Publishing Solution (DPS). So far I’ve designed and published ‘if’ magazine (Inside Film).

Logo/identity

Split-second, memorable communication is what a logo is all about. Whatever your needs, corporate, elegant, funky or something with illustrative flair, I am your man.
Split-second communication is what a logo is all about. What ever your needs I’m sure I can accommodate. But if you after something with illustrative flair then I’m your man.

PowerPoint Presentations

Almost anyone can put together a PP presentation but if you want one that communicates your brand and makes an impact, talk to me about creating a professional custom template design.

Events

I’ve designed marketing products for some of the larger events in the country. Invites, tickets, advertising, maps, seating plans, programs, signage, websites, email newsletters. It all needs to get done quickly and efficiently and still have your products corporate identity.

Signage

Its not all over once the logo has been designed. I actually started out as a budding sign/ticket writer.

Say hello

Telephone

0408 686 073

Network

Find me on LinkedIn

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