SKILLS, PERSONAL QUALITIES
I am always keen to improve myself and learn new skills. I greatly value
other peoples’ opinions and feel that criticism, when used
constructively, can be used positively as a learning tool. I find this particularly important in the field of web design, because sometimes what you may think is a great concept isn't always what your client wants. And so, the pre-madonna designer-type I am not!
When I receive a brief I will see it through until the end, and remain focused on the job at hand, but at the same time not neglecting other projects I may also be working on. Because of this I am highly self motivated and I am quite comfortable managing my own workload. However I am still a keen team player and feel that being part of a team, pooling thoughts and ideas for large projects, is an essential part of creative design.
I have had experience of using both Macs and PCs, and the programs Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, Freehand, Fireworks, InDesign, and Scala Infochannel. I have a good understanding of CSS and HTML, and I have experimented with basic video editing using Pinnacle Studio, Adobe Premier, and Adobe After Effects.
CAREER HISTORY
Web Designer - Work and Travel Company
4th August 2008 - Present
I am currently under on-site contract work for a large Australian based company which provides Work and Travel services for backpackers visiting Australia.
Project Officer /Designer - Department of Education and Training
May 2008 - August 2008
I was recruited for a 3 month government contract to work in the Central Business District of Sydney, Australia. The Department I worked for sold Training Materials to Registered Organisations and Individuals. My duties included:
- Maintaining and Updating Website
- Administration of products
- Processing payments
- Designing Promotional Brochures/Branding materials
- Receiving telephone enquiries
This was a very demanding role, requiring me to learn on my feet -quickly- in a large and busy office environment.
Internet Researcher/Web
Master - DH Publishing
August 2007 - February 2008
During my time in Tokyo I worked part-time at a Japanese book publishing company, maintaining their website and collecting marketing information via the internet. Their target audience are western English speakers, mainly America, so my limited Japanese language skills didn't pose any serious problems. Sometimes, I found myself having to use my own initiative to overcome the language barrier between my employers and myself. However frustrating it may have been at times, I found the experience very rewarding and motivating to my web design development.
Web
Designer - Box Office Publicity
June 2006 - July 2007
My primary role was creating small 3 or 4 page websites for small businesses
nationally, such as restaurants and hair salons. This role was much more
demanding as the turnover rate for incoming work was quite high, and I worked
with a very small team. However I found this an asset in a way as I could fully
develop my ability to produce effective and well designed websites quickly.
Web
Master/Tesco TV Media Designer - WRT Group PLC
January 2005 - June 2006
WRT Group (amongst other advertising ventures) is a large business which
sells transmission space on Tesco TV. This is a medium displayed in Tesco
Supermarket Stores Nationally, usually in cafeteria areas. Timing guidelines
are very strict, using Scala multimedia software to design and publish
10, 20 or 30 second advertisments for local businesses based around a particular
Tesco TV store. I was also in charge of maintaining the company website,
as well as any other sites developed by WRT Group.
Web
Designer - Department for Work and Pensions
February 2003 - December 2004
I worked as a web designer for a government department within the DWP (Department
for Work and Pensions) maintaining websites on the staff intranet team.
This was a demanding role as it involved processing information from various
sources on a daily basis. Being able to organise and prioritise my workload
became a valuable skill for me and those who I worked with. I was quickly
promoted (within months of being employed there) to work on the Creative
Design Team. There, I created web sites, interactive e-learning products
and general graphic design for the team.
Whilst at college I also worked at 2am Design in Thornton for four weeks. This was a small company which dealt mostly with promotional material for ‘First Leisure’, Blackpool Tourism. I found the design team there great to work with, and learned in more detail about print processes and print design. Getting a feel for the atmosphere of a business environment helped me to understand the administrative side of a design company, and how important it is to run the business.
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
Millfield High School
September 1990-July 1995 (GCSEs)
Art (B)
Science (B)
Science (B)
History (B)
English (C)
English Lit. (C)
Maths (C)
German (C)
Fylde Training
July 1995-August 1996
NVQ Level 2 Information Technology
NVQ Level 2 Administration
Blackpool &
the Fylde College
September 1996-June 2001
BTEC National Diploma Graphic Design
BA (Hons) Graphic Design