Photo: bottom right, Jo. Lead organizer, signs & banner designer for Until Lolita is Home, London.
Meet Jo
FOUNDER & DESIGNER
A Little Bit About Me
Hello, I’m Jo, a professionally qualified graphic designer with over 30 years of experience working within the art and design industry. Throughout my career, I have held positions as an art editor for prestigious London publishing houses such as B.B.C, Haymarket, and the inaugural Big Issue magazine.
My graphic design projects have been featured in renowned print publications including Computer Arts, ImagineFx, Vintage, and various Japanese publications, Photoshop Design Tools, and Brush Up. Also, illustrations using pen and ink and pyrography were featured in Project Wood, General Practitioner, and The Big Issue.
My recent creative endeavour involves exploring generative artificial intelligence programs and their application in enhancing my creative processes and digital activism. – byjo.ai.
Exhibitions 2024
- Root 2 Fruit Festival – Philadelphia
- The Canvas 3.0 at The Oculus – New York
- JRNY Gallery – Las Vegas
- HXRC – Helsinki, Finland
- Museum of the Dog – New York
In addition to my professional work, I am deeply passionate about the protection of animals, with a specific focus on cetaceans in captivity.
As part of my dedication to making a positive impact, I actively participate in running and supporting campaigns, organizing and photographing events, and creating educational graphics and videos. These efforts gained significant traction on social media platforms, garnered attention from news outlets, and resulted in coverage in print and television.
”Great work, Jo! You are living proof that one person can make a difference!
Ric O'BarryDolphin Project
I am a great believer in giving back and using skills to help others.
Working on the design, development, and launch of the Big Issue was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my career. Part of my job entailed visiting London Connection, an organisation that assists people who are homeless to rebuild their lives. Engaging with inspirational people at the charity and witnessing confidence and creativity blossom into art, poems, and stories was an experience I will never forget.
A Few Facts
- Qualified Designer – June 1989
- Freelance: BBC Redwood Publishing.
- Designed the first Big Issue magazine alongside art director A. Giaquinto. From initial development through to first publication release. Including logo design, illustrations, page layouts, teaching at London Connection and planning with founder John A. Bird – 1991
- Designer: BBC Redwood Publishing, Haymarket Publishing & Emap.
- Projects: Time Magazine supplements, Good Food, Clothes Show, Creative Britain, Architects’ Journal and Campaign.
- Assistant Art Editor: BSB TV Month magazine.
- Art Editor: General Practitioner, Haymarket Publishing.
- Spiral Pixel Design – Established 2006
- Envato Exclusive Author – Feb 2011 & Envato Elite – Aug 2013
- Name Change to Design by Jo – Nov 2023
Campaign Work
- Graphics supporting Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project – 2014 to present.
- Co-organizer, campaign designer, social media and event promotions including video campaigns for Japan Dolphins Day London and special events. – 2015-2017
- Social media campaign creator; growing online presence and reaching new audiences at London Against The Dolphin Massacre – 2015-2017
- Designer and core team member for Dolphin Freedom UK. Campaign to educate the public about the reality of captive dolphin facilities widely promoted by travel agents on the UK high street. – 2016-2023
- Dolphin Freedom UK joins ‘Stop The Grind’ coalition – Oct. 2021
- Event designer, lead organizer, fundraising for events and social media promotional work for Empty The Tanks London – 2018-2022
- Vice President, UK ambassador, social media content creator, fundraising projects, campaign designer and London events lead organizer for Until Lolita is Home – 2016 to present.
Selected Press Articles
- HUFFINGTON POST: We Can Be Heroes
- EVENING STANDARD: Japanese embassy protest: Activists sing David Bowie classic to campaign against the killing of dolphins
- THE TIMES: UK firm behind lonely Lolita’s captivity
- INDEPENDENT: Activists fight to free Lolita after 46 years of captivity
- THE SUN: Thomas Cook bombarded with demands to stop selling dolphin swimming trips
- TRAVEL WEEKLY: Thomas Cook to audit whale & dolphin park
- TTG: Thomas Cook confirms further audits after Dolphin Freedom criticism
- DAILY MAIL: Thomas Cook under fire for promoting marine resort
- MIRROR: Sickening truth behind holiday park dolphins brutally hunted in the wild
- WPLG LOCAL10: ‘Free Lolita’ protests continue at Miami Seaquarium
- INEWS: Pressure mounts for TUI to stop promoting dolphin attractions
- DAILY MAIL: Thomas Cook ends ticket sales to attractions with captive dolphins
Photography Journey
- Royal Photographic Society member – March 2020
- Grade ‘A’, Open University photography course in partnership with The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) – July 2020
- MoMa, Seeing Through Photographs: Grade 100% – July 2020
- ‘A Year With My Camera’ with Emma Davies – Sept 2020-2021
- ‘Life in Lockdown’: AYWMC photography exhibition – May 2021
- Emma Davies Photo School: Mindful Photography – May-Aug 2021
- Emma Davies Camera Club – August 2021
- Emma Davies Photo School: Composition Beyond the Basics – Sept-Nov 2021
- Published: Vegfest Express, Huffington Post, Metro, iNews, and Dolphin Project. Book cover photo – A Puget Sound Orca in Captivity: The Fight to Bring Lolita Home by Sandra Pollard
- Article: A Campaign to Remember for Essex Wildlife Trust – 2022
Filming Ric O’Barry’s Lifetime Achievement Award, London (c) Martyn Stewart
