Primarily a graphic designer specializing in the theory and presentation of information through lucid design, Nigel Holmes was born in Britain and received his Master's Degree in illustration from the Royal College of Art in London. He was a freelance designer in London, and in 1978 moved to New York City, where he was Executive Art Director for Time magazine until 1994. In 1995, Holmes started his own company, providing illustrations to corporations, institutions, and periodicals. He teaches annually at The Stanford Professional Publishing Course, Stanford University, California and at The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, St Petersburg, Florida, and lectures here and abroad.