Design with purpose:
The intersection of
art & advocacy
For over 15 years, my design practice has been defined by a simple belief: complex, high-stakes information deserves to be both beautiful and accessible. Whether translating a 200-page legal study or branding a vibrant community campaign, my goal is to create work that is bold, inclusive, and exceptionally clear. I don’t just make things look good; I help important ideas travel further through strategic visual communication.
My career is rooted in a deep appreciation for the arts. Since 2008, I have shaped the visual legacy of Gallerysmith, and for over a decade, I have collaborated with the Melbourne Theatre Company. My background also includes high-end editorial work, serving as the Senior Graphic Designer for the Australian launch of the French fashion magazine L’Officiel. These roles honed my skills in art direction, meticulous retouching, and the ability to manage sophisticated style guides for global brands.
Through my own lived experience and activism, I have built long-term partnerships with not-for-profit organisations such as ICASO, NAPWHA, Living Positive Victoria, and ASHM. I believe the best designs are born from the community, ensuring those at the heart of the story are truly seen and heard.
My work often bridges the gap between clinical and human experience. Whether I am using conceptual illustration to ‘untangle’ the legal barriers for the Health+Law partnership, or co-curating and designing global exhibitions, I view art and design as a vital tool for advocacy.
A Versatile Creative Partner
Operating as a freelance designer since 2010, I have managed a diverse portfolio spanning government, corporate, and non-profit sectors. My expertise covers the entire creative lifecycle—from initial art direction and brand development to technical finished art and print management.
Whether you require art direction, graphic design, illustration, photography, or dynamic websites and animations, Daniel Cordner Design offers the expertise and versatility to bring your vision to life. From initial concept to final delivery, my team and I are dedicated to providing comprehensive creative solutions tailored to your project’s unique needs.
Photography: Erika Budiman Pixels + Paper studio
Let’s work together
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Let’s work together *
My goal is to make the journey from initial concept to final delivery as smooth as possible.
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Everything begins with a conversation. We’ll discuss your vision, your goals, and exactly what you hope to achieve. I’ll likely ask several questions to get to the heart of your project. If you already have a design brief, that’s fantastic; if not, don’t worry—I can guide you through the process of creating one together.
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This is the most exciting part of the process—where strategy meets creativity. Based on our initial chat, I will develop a range of concepts and present them for your feedback. I view this as a true partnership; your insights are vital to the creative journey.
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Once we have selected a creative direction, we move into the refinement phase. This typically involves three rounds of revisions, allowing us to go back and forth to fine-tune the details. We’ll use this stage to polish the typography, balance the layouts, and make any final adjustments to ensure the end result is exactly what you need.
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Once the refinements are complete, I prepare and supply your final artwork in all the necessary formats. This is the stage where we wrap up the technical details, hand over the finished assets, and celebrate the successful completion of our collaboration.
Clients I have worked with
Aid for Aids
Amazon Frontlines
Arts Centre Melbourne
Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis & Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM)
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
Australian Unity (Life Plus magazine)
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal (ANMJ) & Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
BMW (BMW magazine)
Crown Casino (Crystal Magazine)
Deakin University
Dena Kahan
Department of Transport, Planning & Infrastructure
Gallerysmith
Gilead Sciences
Harm Reduction International
Health+Law
Heritage Council of Victoria
International Council of Aids Service Organisations (ICASO)
IFM Investors
International Aids Society (IAS)
International Rivers
Institute of Public Accountants
Jeanswest (DDB Shop)
Living Positive Victoria (LPV)
Lucy Guerin Inc.
L’Officiel Magazine
Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC)
National Association of people with HIV Australia (NAPWHA)
National Australia Bank
(Business View Magazine)
Oxfam Melbourne
Plain Language Australia
Posithiva Gruppen (Sweden)
Queensland Positive People (QPP)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Sense Advertising
Swisse (Noisey Beast studio)
Textile Fibre Forum Magazine
The World is Round Interior Design
Thorne Harbour Health
ViiV Healthcare
Westpack (DDB Shop)
Western Australian Aids Council (WAAC)
Wilma Tabacco