ABOUT:
Now and then he pops onto IG @dbarberfilms. Or LinkedIn. Come and say hello 👋️.
At the heart of Darren’s passion and expertise is conceiving, writing and delivering bold left-field ideas and stories that have depth and heart. With a 20,000ft view, he keeps in mind the big picture while paying particular attention to essential details that helps elevate a piece of work.
With a curious, analytical and creative mind, he gets to the core of a brand communication problem to find the right expressions for the right audience, to push the right buttons.
From his experience as creative director, combined with his knowledge and skillset in filmmaking, Darren creates distinctive campaigns that represent brands in unique, memorable and entertaining ways, that help elevate the brand experience and perception.
He co-founded London based DESIGNERS ANONYMOUS, an independent creative company whose clients included Carlsberg, Google, Eastpak, Tottenham Hotsour FC. Winning numerous awards for direct mail, branding, packaging design and poster design, helped the studio rank in the Drums Design Census top 100 UK agencies (place top 40).
His design works have been featured numerous times in D&AD, Art Directors Club, Roses Creative Awards, Red Dot Awards, Design Week, Benchmark, Design Effctiveness Awards.
He honed his craft of story telling from the likes of renowned guru’s Robert McKee and John Truby, where his screenplays and short films have been part of film festivals world wide, including Oscar Qualifying Flicker’s Rhode Island Film Festival.
Darren loves to get stuck in the campaign creation process and due to his extensive creative knowledge and experience, wears many hats as creative director, writer, storyboard artist, prop and set designer, producer, sound designer and editor.
He has used his skills for good, creating integrated campaigns and films to drive change and raise awareness of social and environmental issues. He’s currently writing and developing a profound children’s picture book, a series of shorts and writing his first feature film which he Is set to co-produce and direct in Sweden.
Now and then he pops onto IG @dbarberfilms. Or LinkedIn. Come and say hello 👋️.
FILM AWARDS:
- Oscar qualifying Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival:
(Semi Finalist - ‘THE READING’ screenplay) - Lift-off Global Network Sessions 2023: (Official Selection ‘MISS INFORMANT’)
- Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival: (Honorable Mention ‘MISS INFORMANT’)
- Surrey Short Film Festival:
(Official Selection ‘MISS INFORMANT’) - Scriptation Showcase:
(Semi-finalist - ‘THE READING’ screenplay) - Showcase Script competition:
(Semi-finalist - ‘THE READING’ screenplay) - TSL Screenplay competition:
(Semi-Finalist - ‘THE READING’ screenplay) - Indie Short Fest:
(Semi-Finalist - ‘THE READING’ screenplay) - London Independent Story Prize:
(Finalist - ‘THE READING’ screenplay) - LA Independent Film Channel:
(Winner - ‘THE READING’ Best Director) - Indie Shorts Awards Cannes:
(Official Selection - ‘THE READING’ short film) - New York Independent Cinema Awards:
(Official Selection - ‘THE READING’ short film) - Venezia Shorts Italy:
(Official selection - ‘THE READING’ short film) - Venice Shorts:
(Official selection - ‘THE READING’ short film) - Amsterdam Short Film Festival:
(Official Selection - ‘THE READING’ short film) - Golden Bridge Istanbul Film Festival:
(Official selection - ‘THE READING’ short film)
- Västerås Film Festival:
(Official selection - ‘SQUEAKY CLEAN’ short film) - Iconic Image Festival:
(Finalist - ‘SQUEAKY CLEAN’ short film)
- Iconic Image Festival:
(Official selection - ‘BOX MAN’short film) - Västerås Film Festival:
(Official selection - ‘BOXMAN’ short film) - Prague International Indie Film Festival:
(Official selection - ‘BOXMAN’ short film) - Montreal Independent Film Festival:
(Official selection - ‘BOXMAN’ short film) - Film for Peace:
(Official selection - ‘BOXMAN’ short film) - Straight 8 Film Festival:
(Official Selection - ’Silent Butt Violent’)
PAST DESIGN AWARDS:
- D&AD:
(Direct Mail, Writing for design x2, Poster design) - Art Directors Club:
(Direct Mail) - The Drum Design Census Top 100 Agencies
- Pentawards:
(Multiple entries) - Roses Creative:
(Multiple entries) - Design Effectiveness
(Branding design) - Design Week:
(Multiple entries) - Benchmarks:
(Multiple entries) - Red Dot Creative:
(Multiple entries) - Fresh:(Multiple entries)
- McNaughton Review:
(Multiple entries)