Five years of Jo Barden Design
This October (2026 if you’re reading in the future) marks 5 years of running my design business Jo Barden Design. Whoo hoo!
When I started, did I have any idea how to run a business? Nope! I didn’t have a network of other freelancers around me either. What I did have was the drive to make it work, and a solid 17 years of design experience behind me.
Where it started
I made the leap into freelance life and registered my business just 3 months after lockdown restrictions ended in July 2021.
Looking back, it seems like a crazy time to do it. With a 2yr old, 5yr old in tow and my husband and I had only recently moved back in to our newly renovated house. (Note: Booking builders to start major project on our house just as the world went into lockdown wasn’t the smartest move, but it’s a story for another day!)
I started by rebuilding my website, started showing up more online and sharing my work.
One of the first project was a branding for an event, which I loved. I fuelled me to keep going, exploring what I wanted the business to become and pushing myself creatively.
The rollercoaster
One thing I have leaned over the last 5 years, and that’s freelance life is rarely a smooth ride.
Some months are hectic and everything lands at once, and others it’s quiet (queue the crickets) and others you’re wondering if you’ll ever work again.
There’s the exciting enquiries that turn into brilliant projects, the proposals I’ve spent hours on and didn’t go anywhere, and the clients that come back year after year.
Learning to ride the ups and downs has been a big part of my own business. I’m learning to lean into those quiet periods and use the time more productively, whether that’s working on illustration skills, planning social content, updating my website or just getting away from my desk for a few hours.
One of the downsides, that I didn’t consider before starting out is the loneliness. Spotify and podcasts keep me company during a working day, but having contacts to reach out to or ask questions about business makes a huge difference.
Over the years I’ve joined different creative networks, met other freelancers and made new friends along the way. And I’m till trying to show up more consistently on socials.
What’s changed
I’ve discovered what I love working on, and who I love working with.
I really enjoy collaborating with marketing and communications team that don’t necessarily have a designer in-house, or need that extras support on projects.
My work has naturally become more focused around Outdoor brands, education and youth organisations. Sectors where there’s opportunity to create work that informs, encourages people to take part and genuinely connects with people.
This year I launched Design Days and monthly retainers, with marketing teams and small businesses in mind. The idea was to offer flexible access to an experienced designer who understands their brand and can be a go-to designer they can rely on.
5 years on
Over the last 5 years I’ve worked with brilliant clients across the UK on everything from campaigns, book designs, social media marketing, annual reports, branding projects, event branding and many more projects.
A highlight for me is always seeing a design I’ve created out in the wild. What’s more exciting that seeing it being worn by thousands of young people traveling around the globe with it on their backs?
Developing branding for international events has been a real highlight, from initial logo concepts through to seeing the whole identity grow and developing across marketing and merchandise and an event that people get to expereince.
There’s something pretty special about knowing that a design that started out on my screen can go on to play a small part in someone else’s adventure.
Being able to balance work and life is key, and to be there for my primary school aged children whilst still doing work that I love.
I keep myself inspired by learning new skills, side projects and whenever possible getting outdoors and away from the screen- for a little while.
A huge thank you to the wonderful clients and collaborators I’ve worked with so far. Five years of running Jo Barden Design wouldn’t have happened without you.
What’s next?
I’m excited for the next chapter. I want to continue working with outdoors brands, education teams and youth organisations, focusing on brand identities, event design and editorial projects.
I’d like to continue to built longer-term relationships with marketing and communications teams and becoming their designer they already know they can trust when a creative project lands on their desk.
As I’ve found, you don’t need to have everything mapped out when you start, but continuing to learn, adapt and working out where you want to go next helps.
Here’s to the next five!
Interested in working together? I’d love to hear from you.
Head over to my contact page to book a free call to discuss your creative needs.
