My name is Danny Harms, I am a designer, artist, and creative director who brings a high degree of imagination, passion, and technical precision to my work.
I help my clients identify what makes their brand, company, event, or campaign special, and I take time to learn about my client's individual goals, landscape, competition, market, and challenges. I use that understanding, knowledge, and scope to create authentic and original logo & brand identity systems designed to stand out from the competition, resonate with audiences, and endure for years to come.
For as long as I can remember I have been creative and artistic, pictured here during my brief time as a crayon. I grew up on a corn farm in rural Illinois before the proliferation of the internet, so I was also really bored.
Fortunately that led me to develop an active imagination. As a kid I loved to draw, write comic books, design logos for (imaginary) companies, and film short videos with my friends. In 2010 I graduated from The University of Dayton in Ohio with a fine arts degree in Visual Communication Design. For ten years I worked in-house at creative departments for a few companies in the tourism, sports, events, and beer industries.
In 2020 early in the pandemic, I started working full-time as an independent contractor. While in Denver, Colorado I founded a brand identity and web design firm called Studio DNVR. In 2024 I ended that business venture and moved back to Chicago, Illinois.
I currently own and operate my creative company Danny Harms Design from my home there.
Lead the design of a wide range of branding and web design projects for clients around the country across several industries.
Founded and ran a brand identity and web design firm called Studio DNVR with my business partner Adam Raiola. Worked directly with business clients across the country in a range of industries. Primary services offered were logo & brand identity design and CMS-enabled, responsive website design and front-end development in Webflow. Additional services included illustrations, advertising, marketing, vehicle graphics, murals, signage, social media graphics, merch, and apparel.
Began projects with brand questionnaires, visual moodboard reviews, and competitive analysis, then used that information to determine an effective strategy and creative direction. Developed collaborative design process with regular client interaction and feedback meetings that enabled smooth progress and improved buy-in.
Responsibilities were shared equally between the business' two partners and included sales, marketing, client relations, accounting, payment, expenses, resource management, purchasing, and long-term planning. In 2024 we ended our partnership to pursue new career opportunities.
Directed and designed projects to help train hospitality industry workers how to sell craft beer. Led the design of a new logo and brand identity that enhanced the platform's market visibility and recognition.
Led the design of a new user-friendly, responsive website, the company's email newsletter, illustrations, icons, interactive training courses, sales collateral, and social media graphics.
Assisted nonprofits with work on critical projects to advance their mission and goals. Contributed approximately $19,343 total impact through my work with organizations that include: Ko'olau Mountains Watershed Partnership, River Network, 350 New Hampshire, Lynn Canal Conservation, and Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults.
Learn more about my impact here.
In-house creative department’s Senior Designer, collaborated with people throughout the organization to design projects that supported their collective efforts to support and promote the craft beer industry.
Projects included style guides, advertising campaigns, and environmental installations for large scale, marquee annual events of up to 60,000 attendees including the Great American Beer Festival, Craft Brewers Conference, HomebrewCon, and more.
Designed three book releases per year through the organizations Brewers Publications brand, including cover design, interior page, printing, and marketing each title.
Managed the multimedia wing of the front office's in-house creative department with one direct report. Designed projects across a wide variety of mediums. Collaborated with employees at all levels and departments throughout the front office to market 81 home games each season, increase ticket sales, provide a great experience for fans, and give back to and support the city of Chicago.
Managed the in-house creative department and led the design of advertising and promotional materials that promoted the Bloomington-Normal area as a destination for visitors, groups, conferences, sports tournaments, and events.
Designed annual visitors guide (circulation 40,000) magazine and managed the design, traffic, and performance of the organization's four websites.
Designed the student guidebook and signage for the incoming freshman class orientation and move-in events.
Each Wednesday for three school years I visited McClelan Elementary School in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood and read books with a 3rd grade student to improve his or her reading skills.
Misericordia Home is a home for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities in Chicago. Through a partnership with the Chicago White Sox, residents are brought to the ballpark before home games to help us welcome fans and provide support for guest relations. I supervised groups of four residents to provide support and encouragement while they worked.
Partnered with various Ronald McDonald Houses in the Chicago area to prep, cook, and serve meals to its guests. RMHC is a nonprofit organization that provides comfort, support, and resources to families who travel far from home for their child's medical care.
Helped build new houses in Slidell, Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
