TOM FINNEY




PROFILE


I'm a Graphic Designer based in Kent, UK, working across branding, print, editorial, promotional design, and visual communication. My work sits somewhere between commercial design and contemporary culture, combining strategic thinking with a strong interest in music, fashion, film, and subcultures.

Since graduating from Leeds Arts University with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design, I have built experience across both in-house and freelance practice. Alongside my role as a full-time Graphic Designer, I maintain an active freelance client base, producing work for musicians, events, band merchsanise, publications, and independent brands throughout the UK and internationally.

Over the last several years I have been fortunate to collaborate with a diverse range of clients, from grassroots cultural projects to artists and promoters operating in major creative hubs. My work has supported music events featured by Resident Advisor, promotional campaigns for fashion and documentary projects, and international commissions for artists performing at renowned Chicago venue Empty Bottle. These opportunities have allowed me to develop a practice that balances creative experimentation with real-world communication objectives.

Whether I'm creating a gig poster, developing a visual identity, designing exhibition materials, or producing large-format signage, my approach remains the same: create work that is visually engaging, conceptually grounded, and effective for its audience. I believe strong design should do more than simply look good — it should communicate, provoke curiosity, and leave a lasting impression.


If you'd like to discuss a project, commission, collaboration, or simply have a conversation about design, email me or contact me on my instagram .



CONTACT

@t.finneydesign@gmail.com
@finneydesign





CV 




Education
Leeds Arts University: 2:1 Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design (2019-2022)

A-Levels: B in Graphic Design, B in Photography, and D in 3-D Design


Employment  [Graphic Designer] Signs Safety Surveys | 2026 – Present


  • Created high-quality print and large-format graphic solutions, applying strong typography, branding, and visual hierarchy principles to communicate information clearly and effectively.
  • Developed expertise in translating client requirements into commercially effective design outcomes while managing projects from concept development through to final production and installation.

[Freelance Graphic Designer] Various Clients | 
2023 - Present


Client: Halloween at Laurel’s (Music Event)  - October 2025


  • Designed promotional material for the music event.
  • Was broadcast on the official Resident Advisor platform.


Client: BODYSHOP BAND Event Poster - March 2026


  • Designed a gig poster for BODYSHOP’s gig release party at Empty Bottle, Chicago. 
  • Successfully attracted and delivered freelance design commission for musicians and event promoters in the United States, producing promotional artwork for performances at established Chicago music venues and expanding professional experience beyond the UK market.


Client: Madeline Goldstein Event Poster - April 2026


  • Designed a gig poster for Madeline’s gig release party at Empty Bottle, Chicago.
  • Designed official gig poster for Madeline Goldstein, with artwork used to promote performances in Chicago's independent music scene.


Client: Chameleon - Promotional Posters for Music Singles  - May 2024


    • Created promotional posters for single releases.
    • Delivered impactful visuals aligned with artist branding.


Client: GRATEFUL KID by Charles Mensah (Photo-Documentary) - March 2023 – Present


  • Designed promotional materials and brochures for fashion releases.
  • Developed visual assets that aligned with brand identity.



Client: Frosted Glass by Eve Louisa (Zine and Exhibition) - February 2025


  • Designed promotional material and cover for the zine release
  • Zine was exhibited and sold at Village Bookstore in Manchester


Client: Sovereign City - Event Poster - March 2024

    • Designed event poster under tight turnaround
    • Adapted quickly to client feedback and time constraints


Client: DC - BTS Graphics for Single - March 2024


    • Designed behind-the-scenes graphics for a music single release
    • Maintained visual consistency across multiple digital assets





Skills
    • Graphic Design: Expertise in designing logos, brochures, posters and social media graphics.
    • Illustration: Skilled in digital illustration and vector art.
    • Branding: Ability to develop cohesive brand identities and visual storytelling.
    • Typography: Strong understanding of typography and its application in design.
    • Photo editing: Experienced in retouching and enhancing photographs.
    • Project Management: Capable of managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.









Last Updated 24.10.31
PORTFOLIO






Hi, I'm Tom Finney — a UK-based freelance graphic designer with a passion for bold visuals, mixed media, and thoughtful brand storytelling. With over three years of experience working on freelance commissions, I’ve created everything from event posters and music promos to t-shirt designs and brand brochures. A graduate of Leeds Arts University with a 2:1 in Graphic Design, I specialise in screen printing, digital illustration, and building visual identities that resonate with audiences. This site showcases a curated collection of my work—projects shaped by collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to design that communicates.

1. Madeline Goldstein at Empty Bottle (2026)Event Poster for Madeline Goldstein at the Empty Bottle, Chicago.

This poster was created for Madeline Goldstein's headline performance at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on 26 April 2026. Goldstein's music blends darkwave, synth-pop, new wave and post-punk influences, which informed the visual direction of the piece. The design aimed to balance a sense of mystery and atmosphere with the practical requirements of an event promotion campaign. 

Working directly with an artist based in the United States allowed me to expand my freelance practice internationally and produce artwork for one of Chicago's most established independent music venues. The project strengthened my experience in poster design, music branding, and creating visual work for audiences outside the UK market. 




2. NOTHING BUT THIEVES AUS/NZ Tour ‘26 Merch (2026)T-Shirt Designs for “NOTHING BUT THIEVES” AUS/NZ ‘26 Tour..

In 2026, I was commissioned to develop merchandise concepts for Nothing but Thieves’ Australia and New Zealand tour supporting their album, Dead City Club. Dead City Club explores themes of disillusionment, escapism, media saturation, and the tension between connection and isolation within a hyper-modern world. The album presents a dystopian lens on contemporary city life — where overstimulation, control, and fractured identity sit beneath glossy surfaces.

My designs were heavily informed by these ideas. I drew on cinematic urban imagery, stark lighting contrasts, and grain-heavy textures to reflect a sense of surveillance, decay, and speculative futurism. Silhouetted figures set against illuminated cityscapes reference the album’s themes of anonymity and alienation, while layered lyric treatments and condensed typography echo the urgency and repetition found within the record’s sound and narrative. The monochromatic palette reinforces the starkness of the concept, creating merchandise that feels immersive within the Dead City Club world rather than simply promotional.

Although the final designs were not released due to timeline constraints, the project highlights my ability to deeply interpret an album’s conceptual direction and translate it into cohesive, commercially considered tour graphics that remain authentic to the band’s evolving visual identity. 


3. BODYSHOP BAND EP Release Show at Empty Bottle (2026)Event Poster for BODYSHOP Band at the Empty Bottle, Chicago.

This poster was created for Body Shop's EP release show at Chicago's iconic Empty Bottle, a venue renowned for showcasing emerging and established alternative artists. Commissioned directly by the band, the artwork was designed to promote a key release event and communicate the energy, attitude, and DIY ethos associated with Chicago's independent music scene. 

As a designer based in Kent, England, securing and delivering a commission for a Chicago-based band provided an opportunity to expand my freelance practice internationally. The project demonstrates my ability to work across borders, interpret a client's creative vision, and produce visually engaging promotional material for live music audiences in one of America's most influential independent music markets.




4. Paris, Texas Capsule (2025)
Paris, Texas capsule for SCRT job application.

SCRT tasked me to create a poster design on a theme/film of my choosing, along with other deliverables that could coincide with the poster. These other deliverables included: a sticker pack, T-Shirt Design and Car Air Freshener. The theme had to be something I thought suited the SCRT brand, which is a streetwear brand that centres capsules around subcultures, usually cult films, forgotten corners of media and art in all forms; for this reason I went with the Paris, Texas (1984) by Wim Wenders. This choice was not only suited to the SCRT, but for me as graphic designer. I draw much of my inspiration from the Americana genre, and Paris, Texas helped spark that fascination. 

Despite not being rewarded with the job role, SCRT have subsequently released a Paris, Texas Capsule.



5. Echoes of Identity Exhibition (2025)
 Poster Design for Echoes of Identity 
  • presented by: Art.Africa in collaboration with Barbican & Community Libraries.


Echoes of Identity is a thought-provoking exhibition exploring culture, memory, and personal narratives through a contemporary African lens.

Level 2, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS





5. Instagram (2022 - Present)
Experimental Portfolio and Exhibition for Client Work. 


Instagram has enabled me to build my own personal brand and subsequently acquire freelance work whilst in the hunt for a design job. This commitment has not only provided me with paid design work, but has subsequently helped develop my own distinct design approach, and also has improved my capabilities as a designer in a technical aspect. As well as this, it has naturally led my design process to centre around  screen printing, as well as a mixed media approach.  Furthermore, building up my social media page has taught me the importance of understanding  how to formulate a brand identity that is consistent, and resonates with the demographic I am targeting. This requires building a brand strategy and a well-evolved design approach that can only be achieved with consistency and persistence.





6. Halloween at Laurel’s - Music Event (2025)
Event Poster for Kate Renney’s Music Event ‘Halloween at Laurel’s’ 

In October, 2025, Kate approached me to design an event poster for her Halloween club night in Newcastle. The art direction was inspired by tart card references, as Kate wanted to celebrate woman’s independence and free nature — a space where woman could express their beauty without judgement and could just enjoy the music. This desire for expression of beauty stems from Kate’s career of being a fashion stylist, so my design approach was to communicate all these factors.

This event was published and broadcasted on Resident Advisor, the leading platform for music events in the country. It was also a RA pick at the time.



7. GOdor Internal Deodorant (2025)
Packaging design for GOdor Deodorant Tablets.

GOdor’s internal deodorant is positioned as a wellness-oriented supplement designed to support fresher breath and body odor from the inside out. Rather than masking odor with topical sprays or perfumes, the product focuses on internal balance—something the brand highlights as part of a broader, holistic approach to personal care. The tone of the brand is clean, health-forward, and discreet, appealing to people who want a simple, everyday solution without the heavy fragrance or chemical feel often associated with external deodorants.

The art direction as a whole was guided by the brand’s underlying values: simplicity, wellness, transparency, and effectiveness. The minimalism was not just for style but to visually express the idea of clean from within. Smooth forms, subtle gradients, or refined geometric motifs emphasized the internal-care concept without overwhelming the viewer. Typography played a supporting role with crisp, modern letterforms that suggest trustworthiness and clarity.




8. Chameleon (2024)
Chameleon “RANSOM” Poster

In March, 2024, Chameleon contacted me to design two promotional posters for his upcoming singles: The Ransom and I Never Knew You Well. These songs were from his his debut album, CALL ME TWICE PT.1, whereby they released early to help with the promotion of his album. To kick off his promotional campaign for his EP, Chameleon printed the poster for The Ransom and displayed it across London, as seen in the photos below. The design process for the posters was to emulate a film poster, as they were not only used for promotion for the songs themselves, but also for the music videos that came out subsequently after.




9. FROSTED GLASS WINDOW Exhibition (2025)
Cover and Promotional poster for FROSTED GLASS WINDOW by Eve Louisa, Exhibited at Village Bookstore, Manchester.


FROSTED GLASS WINDOW, a solo exhibition and publication launch from 
Eve Louisa. Louisa’s work merges quiet mundanity with editorially influenced composition, and explores themes of melancholy and youth culture through a fashion lens.

131 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LN




10. DC - Mains (2023)
BTS Poster for DC and his Single Mains.

For this brief, I was approach by the creative director tasked to design a BTS poster for the release of the single 'MAINS' by DC. This would be broadcasted on their social media to help celebrate everyone involved in the production of the music video.




11. Sovereign City (2024)
 Event Poster for Sovereign City’s Pop-Up Shop.

Sovereign City is a streetwear skating brand based out of London, however they has become an avenue for other independent streetwear brands to exhibit and sell their garments at their pop-up shops. My task was to not only to create a poster for this event, but to encapsulate Sovereign City as a brand and the subculture it is giving a platform for.

55 Curtain RD, London, EC2A 3PT




12. Grateful Kid Photo
Documentary (2024)Poster, flyer and T-Shirt design for Grateful Kid Photo Documentary.

In early 2024, Charles Mensah contacted me to help create the promotional posters, invitations cards and t-shirt merchandise for his photo documentary, Grateful Kid. The Documentary explores the theme of immigrant families transitioning to their new life's in another country, and the struggles that come with that. In the words of Charles: "I want to share the journey of my friends who experienced the same challenges that I faced when I first came to the UK (..) The reason why I want to do this project is to pay homage to the people that took the courage to move and change their life and to encourage people that are thinking to do it. I only understood my parents journey after moving to the UK myself and it made me realise how brave they were, by leaving their home country and looking for better opportunities".

This was screened in both Paris and London, as Charles resides in London today, however was brought up in Paris when growing up. His migration to London and the difficulties that came with that inspired him to make this documentary, and to highlight other immigrants stories of their transition to a new home.



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