About

Chris Clarke is a multidisciplinary Creative Director, Graphic Artist and Musician based in London. Currently the global Editorial Creative Director of The Guardian. He earned his degree at U.W.E Bristol with his focus being on design as a facilitator for social change. A cornerstone that has defined the foundation of his professional career.

He started his career lecturing in typography before setting up his own design studio amongst working freelance and as a consultant. In 2010 he joined The Times (London) as a Senior Art Director, where he worked on multiple projects across digital and print. As of 2013 he joined The Guardian, where he has been responsible for creatively leading, nurturing and developing a team of award-winning print & digital editorial designers. Chris has been fundamental in all major redesigns, investigations, branding, campaigns and strategic positioning over the past ten years.

Chris is also co-founder of both RoomFifty; an ethical, diverse and affordable art gallery — and MakeRoom, the first full e-commerce and creative fulfilment service for artists. Adjacent to his professional career, Chris' typographic graphic art regularly collaborates with charities, studios and arts organisations — as well as private commissions. 

Awards and recognition

  • Shortlisted | Art Vinyl Awards | Shortlisted in the 50 best album artwork designs of the year.

  • Winner | The Design Week Awards 2023 | Landmark category | Design for social change | Cotton Capital Project

    Winner | Newspaper Of The Year | Press Awards

  • Society Of Publication Designers | Gold Medal | The Guardian, Brand of the year.

    British Society of News Editors | Best Art Team | The Guardian, Saturday Magazine.

  • D&AD | Wood Pencil | Branding | The Guardian, Hope is Power

    Design Week Awards | The Guardian, Hope Is Power

    D&AD | Wood Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design | The Guardian, The Age of Rage cover with Tomato Kosir

  • Design Week Awards | Best in house design team | The Guardian

    Design Week Awards | Best editorial design | Guardian Weekly redesign | The Guardian

    D&AD | Wood Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design | The Guardian, The Lives Of Grenfell

    AOI World Illustration Awards | Shortlist | The Guardian, The Brexit Abyss

  • D&AD | Yellow Pencil | Type design | The Guardian font family with Commercial Type

    D&AD | Graphite Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design | Sport section redesign, Journal

    D&AD | Wood Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design | The Guardian, Journal

    D&AD | Wood Pencil | Branding | The Guardian redesign

  • D&AD | Wood Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design | The Guardian, The Panama Papers

  • D&AD | Wood Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design | The Guardian, The FashionItem description

  • D&AD | Graphite Pencil | Magazine & Newspaper Design / Print with Digital refresh

  • Pulitzer Prize | The Snowden Files | The Guardian

    SND 35 | Worlds Best Designed Newspaper | The Guardian

  • SND 34 Gold Medal for magazine design | Eureka Magazine

    SND 34 Judges Special Recognition for visual storytelling | Eureka Magazine

  • Design Week Awards Nomination | Pete & Repeat, design at Marc&Anna