A graphic artist of international repute, in 1998 Jarvis designed the iconic toy figure 'Martin', unwittingly helping kickstart the "designer toy" phenomenon.

His company, Amos, has since released nearly 100 character toys, as well as publishing his comic book "Vortigern’s Machine" and the collection "James Jarvis, Selected Drawings".  In 2009 Jarvis directed his first film, "Onwards", in collaboration with Richard Kenworthy.