About me
I am a born artist and trained graphic designer. After years of working in-house for a housing association, I've decided to switch things up for the constant variety and look for a new opportunity and challenge. I've been a visual learner from an early age, and my foundations in fine art and graphic design have helped shape me into the empathetic, creatively fluent designer I am today.
I love that being a designer means you can solve things; taking briefs apart and putting them back together again and looking for creative ways to solve creative problems - I find it strangely satisfying. I believe design is a fluid thing because it’s a learning process that doesn’t seem to have an end.
For me, great work ethic is the backbone of design. And I have spent the past eleven years visiting gyms to work out, a regime requiring daily 5 am wake-ups. Luckily, this has given me a high tolerance to the effects of sleep deprivation, an accepted job hazard for any designer.
I love getting creative and to marvel at things that are beautifully designed. And if I wasn't a graphic designer then I'd be a different type of designer - perhaps an interior designer, product designer or maybe a fashion designer? I am passionate about what I do and enthusiastic about learning, always thinking critically and remaining focused.
My other passion outside of design is event planning - organising parties, conferences, fund-raising events, tournaments and even the odd wedding. Although it can be extremely stressful - there is a euphoric high I get when an event comes together.
When I'm not imagining, designing, and creating things on my clients’ behalf, I am all about cooking and crap movies. I also love to travel and have had the pleasure of exploring various parts of the UK and 20+ other countries so far and when I'm done being sensible, I plan to sell everything I have to travel the world.
The CV bit:
A creative designer with over seventeen years experience successfully developing and delivering innovative solutions across multiple platforms to solve strategic challenges. Exceptional interpersonal skills and a dynamic team player who creatively translates concepts and messages into fresh ideas to inspire, motivate and influence.
Key achievements:
• Established successful internal communications campaign leading to Sunday Times Best 100 Companies accreditation and ‘Best Company’ accreditation 2014
• Developed and managed the production of video content to promote organisation internally and externally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB6PWambtWk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LCR5ZNDhWQ
• Successfully delivered twice-yearly employee conferences for 700 staff, including developing content and designing workshops; creating video content and branding of all materials resulting in a 40% increase in organisation awareness.
• Implemented and embedded internal web2print system, with a cost saving of £23k and changes to design processes to improve efficiency resulting in a cost reduction of £50k p.a
• Fund raising of over £10k for charitable causes through organisations employee forums.
Work history
Freelance Graphic Designer
London, United KingdomFreelance
Delivering consistent brand design; offered creative strategies to help clients identify potential opportunities. Working closely to inject innovative thinking to project concepts and ensure key insights are developed to support clients key priorities. Responsible for developing visual identities; pitching fresh and innovative ideas to clients, ensuring satisfaction during concept creation and presentation of finished artwork and supporting clients to embed the brand within their organisations.
Senior Graphic Designer
- London, United KingdomFull Time
Responsible for managing and promoting the corporate brand through targeted campaigns with an annual budget of £125k. Acted as brand ambassador; advising the executive directors on key brand issues - presented recommendations, negotiated and influenced their decisions. Managed in-house design team providing strategic, financial and operational leadership.
Key achievements:
• Managed the Catalyst brand across all areas of business from private sales to social housing, ensured we met the business’ needs to raise its external presence within the sector; creating B2B and B2C campaigns on issues such as financial exclusion, private sales, shared ownership and organisational strategy.
• Advised the executive directors on key reputational and brand issues when attending events such as MIPIM, Bigger Better Bolder as well as various resident consultation events.
• Delivered an integrated culture change and engagement programme to successfully embed Catalyst’s customer excellence programme across the whole business; supporting the redevelopment of Catalysts vision and values.
• Introduced and developed the in-house production of video as a key communication tool internally and externally to promote Catalyst at events, online and across social media platforms; contributed to building an internal infrastructure to support the storing and viewing of videos in-house.
• Delivered high profile events including bi-annual conferences for 700 employees and external events for national stakeholders to raise Catalysts profile within the sector.
• Delivered internal campaigns for staff awards, recruitment shows and Sunday Times Best 100 Companies; achieved top 33rd position in ‘Best Not-For-Profit Organisations’ to work for and won the ‘Great Place To Work’ accreditation; registered interest increase of 73% at The London Show recruitment fair.
• Delivered annual print and design programme of over 300 promotional and marketing collateral.
+ Show more
Skills
- Adobe Create Suite
- Final Cut Pro
- Event Magagement
- Build Relationships
- Conceptual Thinker
- Campaign Strategy
- Brand Management
- Communications
- Hands on
- Design/art Direction/creative/concepts/idea
Education
(hons) Graphic Design
- Coventry, United Kingdom