Partners in Crime
We’re a team of digital nomads, each a skilled professional in our own right. Hailing from Jamaica, the U.S., and Barbados. Together, we blend creativity, strategy, and tech to help brands grow. No borders, no limits, just seamless collaboration and top-tier results.
Yup! That's me!
Fr ancine Blackwood, a Jamaican born who went to The Queen's School and a graduate of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Class of 1988. I obtained a degree in Advertising Design. (picture of my proud mommy at my graduation.)
After graduation I ddi many jobs, from airbrushing carousel horses to drawing plans for an awning company, but the one that really got me loving the world of advertising and graphic design was a place called Starfish Design Studio, a small agency in Downtown Miami.
I lived in Miami for about 6 years, but I was homesick for the land of my birth. Yes Miami had beaches and was a tropical place, but I missed my people. So I packed up my 30"x26" portfolio case, my beatbox and came back home.
Armed with dozens of resume and now a 20"x17" portfolio case, I started the hunt for a job. My first job was with a well established Advertising Agency in Jamaica called Marketing Counselors, ran by the late Adrian Robinson. I worked with many other designers who now run their own successful agencies. Over the years I've worked with some of the top agencies in Jamaica as Art Director to Creative Director. Grimax Advertising, Dunlop Corbin Communications, Whistling Frog (Quantum), Marketing Plus and CGR Communications To name a few.
In the year 2000 I decided it was time I launched out on my own, and that's when I started my boutique design studio Black Wood Design Studio. It has been a wild ride since then, from having a brick and mortar business where I had 5 employees, that has now evolved to a digital agency that I run from anywhere in the world with clients all over the world and my team can be anywhere from 3 to 20.
Welcome Black Wood Design + Marketing!
Fran Black
In 2018 I rebranded, not just my business but also myself, introducing Fran Black. Shortening my name fits my communication style, short and to the point. And I wanted to pay homage to the island girl that I am, hence my brand colors, yellow for the sunshine and blue for the sky and beaches.
As a digital nomad I have the opportunity to move around while I work. These pictures depict what my life is now.
Always surrounded by food, wine and art, Traveling as I go between my 2 homes, Kingston Jamaica and Palm Coast FL. I also visit my clients if they need me. When my clients in Phili and LA had their opening, I was there, My client in NY had their first major concert I was there, this is the best part about having clients all over.
My love for the beach is something I can't deny.
Llast but definitely not least, the 2 most important men in my life, my sons.
Now that you know all my business, let's talk about yours. I would love to partner with you and help you solidify your mark in the space, get clients and/or sales, build a community and keep you top of mind.
To start, you can take a look at my offers to see if anything fits your needs
or fill out a form to get a quote.
If you want that one on one, you can book a call here
