Full 360° design studio based out of Manchester

The Contemporary Graphics Bureau is a full service design studio led by Charles George Brown currently operating out of Manchester, UK.

With a strong emphasis on collaboration, we work with our clients to rigoressly asses their needs, understand their niche and create a truly individual service. This collaborative approach allows us to deliver a range of design concepts, spanning multiple creative fields to bring your vision and messaging to life. As well as client led work, we constantly aim to create our own self-directed projects in and out of the art and Web3 world.

Since the studio’s inception in 2019 the CGB has collaborated with individuals, small family businesses and larger corporate and educational institutions nationally and internationally.

Main Expertise:

  • 3D Design
  • Brand Design
  • Creative Direction
  • Digital Design
  • Editorial Design
  • Event Branding
  • Exhibition Branding
  • Logo Design
  • Poster Design
  • Web Design
  • Web3 Consultation
  • Web3/NFT Design

Other:

  • App Design
  • Art
  • Art Curation
  • Brand Strategy
  • Campaign Design
  • Consultation
  • Content Creation
  • Content Strategy
  • Copy Writing
  • Film & Motion Graphics
The CGB Studio

Selected Clients:

  • World Art Foundation
  • Manchester School of Art
  • University Academy 92
  • NAM/Size?
  • Manchester Poetry Library
  • WHALE Members

Awards:

2019
Stack Awards Winner
2018
Stack Awards Short-listed

Features:

Nov 2019
It's Nice That
Stack Award Winners
Aug 2019
Manchester School of Art
Profiles
Mar 2019
Magma-Zine
Maisy Sumner

Talks:

2023
NFC Conference, Lisbon
2021
Design Alumni Event, Manchester Metropolitan
2020
Lecture to journalist students, Manchester Metropolitan
2019
How to Publish a Magazine, Manchester Modernist

Testimonials

Jan Wilker, Karlssonwilker, New York City
I would certainly hire the CGB for all and any design needs — if I didn’t already run an excellent design studio myself.
Pete Jones, Marketing Officer, Manchester School of Art
As one of our alumni, I approached George/CGB to create an identity for our annual Unit X project and exhibition. George responded enthusiastically to the brief and brought a fresh approach to our brand guidelines. I was particularly impressed with how George used his own experiences of the School and Unit X on the brief and brought the whole identity to life making it entirely in 3D. The print and digital assets all looked fantastic. Thanks George!
Jonah Coombes, Film Production, London
I made contact with George at the CGB at a point when I needed someone to take my business-plan to the next level. I had all the information, but was struggling to pull it together in any kind of coherent way, let alone making it look professional and slick. Together with his team, and with 24/7 open channels of communication between us, he pulled it all together and made it brilliant - and the proposal was subsequently very well-received. My company went on to use the CGB to tighten our brand-identity and produce all of the logos and identifying insignia. it’s a huge relief to know that I now have a design studio at my disposal for all my design and implementation needs, can’t thank them enough.
The CGB Studio

Charles George Brown

Born in Nottingham in 1996, he moved to the North of England with his family in 2002.

In 2019, he graduated with First Class Honours from Manchester School of Art, where he honed his creative skills.

In 2018, he embarked on a solo endeavor and created SIEGE Magazine, which gained significant recognition and success. Spanning three issues, SIEGE featured over 300 artists and received international acclaim, including a short-listing and subsequent win of an award from Stack Magazines in 2018 and 2019.

Following his time in New York City, where he worked at Karlssonwilker Inc in 2019, collaborating with esteemed clients such as Bloomberg and SWATCH, as well as renowned artistic institutions, he returned to the UK in 2020.

Since his return, he has focused on his freelance practice and established the Contemporary Graphics Bureau as his studio. Operating out of North Manchester, the studio has flourished, working with diverse clients on a multitude of projects. In addition to client work, he continues to pursue self-directed projects within the Web3 and art world.

Team:

  • Charles George Brown - Creative Director, Founder
  • Kate Robinson - Creative Producer
  • Alexandra Duckworth - Studio Manager

Manchester, UK.

Container 89 Pollard Yard 15 Pollard St East M40 7QX

@the.cgb+44 7725 473 438

Mon-Fri – 9:00am-9:00pm