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About

I’m John Davies, a freelance graphic designer based in Penarth, South Wales, working through Candid Creative Studio.

Based in...

Penarth, South Wales, working across the UK

Welsh speaker

Work shaped by place and community.

Established in 2011

I've been delivering design projects for 15 years.

Alongside my studio work, I’m Managing Editor at View Publishing, producing the award-winning Penarth View, Cowbridge View, Pontcanna View and Roath Park View magazines. I’m also a co-founder and operator of Milkshed Workspace Penarth, a flexible work and studio space created to support local businesses and independent professionals. I’ve also been closely involved in local economic and community initiatives, including serving as Chair of Penarth Business Group, and contributing writing and advocacy around local high streets and independent enterprise.

Originally from Aberaeron in West Wales, I moved to Cardiff in 2007 to study Architectural Design at the Welsh School of Architecture and later Graphic Communication at the Cardiff School of Art & Design. I’m a fluent Welsh speaker, and my work is strongly shaped by place, community and clear visual thinking.

Since establishing my design practice in Penarth in 2011, I’ve worked across brand, print and digital for ambitious local businesses, national charities and public sector organisations. My focus is on creating contemporary, considered design that works just as hard in the real world as it does visually, helping organisations communicate with confidence both online and offline.

Wales Graphic Designer
of the Year

2020/21

Entrepreneur
of the Year 

2022

Best Independent Publishing Company

2023

Welsh Magazine
of the Year

2023

At the heart of everything I do is a belief that good design, effective promotion and vibrant places all play a role in shaping communities that people feel connected to.

My work across Candid Creative Studio, View Publishing and Milkshed Workspace Penarth gives me a practical understanding of how communication works in real communities. This short film created to mark the completion of our SPF grant at Milkshed offers a simple example of place-led storytelling in practice.

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Clients

Logo for Vale of Glamorgan County Council
Logo for Epic Media Services
Logo for Gloucestershire County Council
Logo for Eden Landscapes
Logo for Royal Voluntary Service
Logo for Rowley’s the Jeweller
Logo for Scotland Contact Centre Forum
Logo for Sonic Alarm Systems
Logo for NHS England
Logo for South West Contact Centre Forum
Logo for Masons Self Storage
Logo for Shepherd Sharpe
Logo for Bengo Media
Logo for Wales Media Awards
Logo for Willmore’s 1938
Logo for Oxfordshire County Council
Logo for View Publishing
Logo for Penarth Operatic & Dramatic Society
Logo for Northern Contact Centre Forum
Logo for Milkshed Workspace Penarth
Logo for Oncrée