Rob Flanagan is a designer and art director based in London with fifteen years of experience delivering design and content across a range of print and digital media.

My strengths are in building narratives through ideas by collaborating with a diverse group of writers, editors, photographers, stylists, and illustrators to deliver strategic, consistent, and considered methodologies for content and design across a wide range of outputs – from editorial and typography to film and motion graphics. My approach is creatively focused, I always seek the best outcome and I am used to coordinating teams to deliver projects as well as to managing the creative process from client acquisition and development through to delivery. 

  • Art Director

    YBM

    2018 – Present

    At YBM, I design and art direct editorial projects from concept through to delivery, collaborating with a network of writers, photographers, illustrators, and stylists. I am the visual lead on several magazines, including CAM (Cambridge University), ZIS Voices (Zurich International School), and previously Folio (The Folio Society). Additionally, I deliver ad-hoc projects spanning film, motion graphics, social media, and digital products.

    Head of Design

    Matter & Co

    2016 – 2017

    I led on design and managed the creative team working across design, editorial, and film projects for clients such as RBS Natwest, CCLA Investment Management, Buzzacott, UK Youth, and NALC, the National Association of Local Councils.

    Director & Visual Lead

    NONUMBERS

    2011 – 2016

    I set up NONUMBERS in 2011 in partnership with sound designer Ed Guy. Together, we ran the studio as a successful business for five years delivering a wide range of design and film projects for clients such as Unilever, Birkbeck University of London, Bill Amberg Studio, ebookers.co.uk, and Apps for Good.

    Designer

    Nous Collaborative

    2010 – 2011

    I designed experiences, exhibitions, and workshops, as well as the accompanying print and digital materials.

  • BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design

    London College of Communication

    University of the Arts London

    2006 – 2010

    ABC Foundation in Graphic Design

    London College of Communication

    University of the Arts London

    2005 – 2006

  • Art direction, design, layout, typography, and branding.

    Interactive, social media, and digital products.

    Commissioning, project management, budgeting, and print production.

    Prop-making, painting, woodworking, electronics, and tinkering.

    Rapid prototyping, CNC machining, laser-cutting, and 3D printing.

    Film production, direction, editing, and motion graphics.

    Experiential, exhibitions, and events.

    Research and analysis, ideas generation, and storytelling.

    Problem solving, rigorous processes, and attention to detail.

    Adobe CC — Id, Ai, Ps, Dw, Au, Ae, and Pr.

    Web — HTML, CSS, and Squarespace.

  • Outside of work, you'll find me playing board games, making furniture, crying into my popcorn, painting miniatures, learning Italian, building models, exploring somewhere new, playing softball, catching a gig or a show, running a game of Dungeons & Dragons, or making spaghetti aglio e olio.

Photograph of Rob Flanagan by Megan Taylor


Photograph by Megan Taylor