Product Designer

• Apr 2020 - Present

Keencut is a leading manufacturer of high-quality precision cutting equipment for the wide format print and sign making industries. From our manufacturing base in Corby, Northants, we sell globally with a strong presence in the USA, the UK and Western Europe, with 80% of sales outside the UK. Working closely with the Technical Director, I aid in increasing the rate of new product development, bringing my design skills and focus to the development process. I develop initial design concepts and take these through to prototyping by creating 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings. I liaise with my manufacturing colleagues to take designs into practical and sustainable manufacturing. I run cost analysis on these designs to gauge the payback time for creating a new-tools, and gauge if these developments are viable. Further to this, I use the adobe suite to create detailed instruction manuals for new and existing machines to give ‘easy to read’ visual guides to our customers. Alongside the design, I work closely with our technical director, and business development manager to create digital content for Keencut’s YouTube channel. Creating technical content that helps to give our customers a further understanding of how to correctly use and maintain their machines. The other side of this task relates to the ‘live training’ service that we offer to our customers. Using Teams in conjunction with 2 separate HD cameras, we give our customers personable, live training sessions with multiple video angles from the comfort of their own office/home. This position has so far furthered my understanding of metal processing and machining aluminium and steel parts, along with several programs and software's such as Alibre, Premier Pro, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, OBS Studio, YouTube Live, Arduino and many more.

Product Designer

• Aug 2018 - Apr 2020

Starting at B2B Exhibitions, I was required to learn quickly, and efficiently to expand my knowledge of google sketchup, learn how to use a CNC programming software called VCarve, and how to use a 3 axis AXYZ 6010 CNC machine. I swiftly learnt how use the softwares and machine proficiently, allowing me to cut a multitude of products made out of various materials; acrylic and aluminium, but focusing mainly on real wood timber and processed sheet wood (MDF, Birch plywood, etc...). Alongside this responsibility, I furthered my learning into how the company has been run, and took it upon myself to learn the quoting and invoicing process, allowing me to communicate with customers and suppliers. In addition to quoting for, and creating customers projects, the skills I had learnt allowed me to effectively design clients projects and manage them from start to finish. I aided some of the clients in the design of these projects with the knowledge that they would receive their parts to their requested specification, whilst ensuring they could be cut on the CNC machine quickly, safely and efficiently. Within this time, I also attended a CNC course to further my learning of the machine, alongside a corian fabrication course that has given me the tools required to learn how to cut and manipulate corian.

Junior Product Designer

• Aug 2018 - Jan 2019

Junior Product Designer

• Nov 2017 - Aug 2018

After working for a year for FutureNova as a Product Design Intern, I learnt how to work efficiently and effectively alongside a small design team. In that year, my skills were moulded and enhanced allowing me to work more independently, be given more responsibility, and learn new skills. Through this progression I was given a promotion to Junior Product Designer where my role resides along the same guidelines as before, however with more independence and responsibility within my tasks. In this role, I was expected to create accurate timelines to follow given briefs, and complete the tasks allocated in the time I have implemented. A higher standard of work was expected in a shorter period of time, where I then independently presented my findings to the team. This role heightened my time management skills, presentation abilities, and enabled me to work in a more methodical manner.Whilst working in this role, I aided in the design and development of an award winning product that gained the title of consumer product design of the year 2018 in The Plastics Industry Awards.

Product Design Intern

• Nov 2016 - Oct 2017

In this position, I was working alongside a small team who have extensive experience within the NHS and Design industry. As part of the team, I created innovative market leading technology for niche, highly trained professionals around the globe. I was required to contribute in all aspects of the business: - Product strategy, concept design and development.- ‘Quick and dirty’, ‘proof of principle’ prototypes. - Using CAD (SolidWorks) to develop concepts into fully functional 3D printed working prototypes. - Water/Drop/Limits Testing to ISO standards.- Component/Material Sourcing.- Detailed CAD to create Injection Moulded Parts and Drawings for production.- Creating Online Promotional Content.- Supporting the sales team at international Exhibitions. This job required a high level of attention to detail, key organisation skills (in order to remain on task and stick to deadlines), alongside clear communication allowing me to not only convey my thoughts and ideas to the team, but also to talk in person, or on the phone to clients or suppliers.

Freelance Product Designer

• Sep 2016 - Oct 2016

I was requested do some quick sketch development to complete before the given deadline following a specific brief. In this time I did some research on the topic, brainstormed an array of ideas, and sketched each concept in detail. This job not only taught me a lot about time management, but also attention to detail; if the sketches were not of good quality, it would be hard for others to understand the ideas I was trying to portray.

Saxophone Teacher/ Tutor

• Sep 2010 - Sep 2016

From the age of 10 I have been a keen saxophonist. In 2011, I started tutoring children who were struggling to learn the instrument. In 2013, I achieved a distinction in my Saxophone Diploma, allowing me to teach professionally. Teaching has taught me a lot about planning in advance; this has been extremely helpful with regards to time management for deadlines. In addition, learning of the saxophone itself has taught me patience and persistence; when I find I struggle with a challenge, I don’t stop until I succeed. In my spare time, I teach Jazz Saxophone to a variety of of people. I teach beginners, and tutor those who are struggling with their grades. My teaching includes sight reading, scales, improvisation and music theory.

Administrative Assistant

• Sep 2012 - Jul 2016

(multiple contracts within this time span) In this job, I was responsible for updating databases with current information. I was required to gather this information from a broad range of international organisations, along with assisting senior staff with detailed operational administration during the busy season. This job not only enhanced my communication skills, but it also taught me the importance of flexible communication style. This has helped me with group work, ensuring that all group members are on the same path before continuing any further.

Waiter / Bartender

• Jun 2015 - Sep 2015

Working in this traditional English Pub, my job was to serve customers at the bar, whilst waiting tables. There were times when the Pub was very busy, but I learnt how to keep calm and relaxed at all times by taking the day one step at a time. This way of working has taught me a lot about patience, perseverance and communication, ensuring that I not only kept the customers happy, but also other members of staff.

Marquee Construction Assistant

• Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

When working for Flint and Lambourn, my job was to assist in the construction of Marquees. The job included heavy lifting and a large amount of team work in order to set up the tents as efficiently as possible. This job taught me a lot about taking instructions, working in a team, and communication. Every day was different in this job whether it was the size of the marquee being constructed, the destination, or the weather. As a team we would be shown the ground plan and get to work, not stopping until the job is done. Taking instructions was fundamental to not only finishing the job but to others safety.

On Base Assistant

• Jul 2010 - Jul 2013

(2 weeks per annum) Responsible for ensuring cleanliness and security of Fairford Air Base accommodation blocks and public areas throughout the duration of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Waiter / Bartender

• Sep 2012 - Mar 2013

Working in this traditional English Pub, my job was to serve customers at the bar, whilst waiting tables. There were times when the Pub was very busy, but I learnt how to keep calm and relaxed at all times by taking the day one step at a time. This way of working has taught me a lot about patience, perseverance and communication, ensuring that I not only kept the customers happy, but also other members of staff.

Leisure Assistant - Lifeguard

• Sep 2010 - Sep 2012

My responsibilities included observing the pool, ensuring all customers were safe, cleaning the pool area and leisure center, testing the PH and Chlorine levels of the pool and making sure all customers were happy at all times. This job taught me a lot about observation, communication and attention to detail. On a day to day basis, it was essential to communicate with customers ensuring that they were happy, constantly observe the pool, and to remain focused at all times. I have applied these skills to my current work ethic by ensuring that I am always alert, not going off task, and communicating with others.