James Gardner

James "Leslie" Gardner OBE RDI (29 December 1907 – 25 March 1995) was a British museum and exhibition designer. Although most widely known for his exhibition work, Gardner also undertook illustration and ship design work. His archive is located at the University of Brighton Design Archives. Early career Educated at Westminster School of Art, Gardner's career began as an apprentice for Cartier jewellers in 1923. After a period of international travel in the 1930s, Gardner returned to London and began working for the commercial design consultancy, Carlton Studios. His early commissions included advertising work for a number of clients, including Shell. Commissioned by their art director Jack Beddington, Gardner undertook poster and exhibition work for them. Second World War Drafted into the Camouflage Training School at Farnham during World War II, Gardner designed a series of inflatable deception projects which included dummy tanks and landing craft. Gardner was also employed by the Ministry of Information as an illustrator at this time.