Ian Harrold was educated in Leicester and, encouraged by his Quaker headmaster, gained a place at the John Cass School of Art in Whitechapel, London. While a student, he worked part-time at the Whitechapel Gallery under Sir Nicholas Serota. Here he came into contact with British Minimalism. After graduating he worked as a production manager for Cartier, and as a silversmith, selling and exhibiting his work widely. During this time he became involved in developing the technology for video graphics, and its use in the world of marketing. He formed his own broadcast graphics company and enjoyed a long career producing work for all the major UK television channels. His qualifications include a DipAd, City & Guilds Higher Diplomas in diamond mounting and gemology and a design award from the Royal College of Arts.

After moving to north Cornwall in 2014, Harrold turned his attention to printmaking, in particular collagraph and etching. He also works in oils, using handmade paints.