Experience

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  Freelance

  • Graphic Designer

    • 2010 - Present

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  Busy B (K TWO Products Ltd)

  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Design Manager

    • Aug 2007 - Jul 2010
    • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    In addition to designing and artworking, I also headed up the in-house design department of K TWO Products. This involved managing permanent design staff and consultants, creating and managing design schedules and delegating jobs, as well as signing off proofs and production samples. Competitor research, sourcing images and illustrations and keeping abreast of trends and developments within the gift industry was vital in this job. Teamwork was an essential aspect of this role and I worked with other managers and the MD to make key business decisions. I worked closely with the production manager on product specifications and deadlines, and with the MD (who is a product designer) on the functionality and content of every product. I also ran design development meetings which were attended by the MD and key sales staff.Another important aspect of my job was forecasting and managing the annual design budget, and I also met with the MD on a weekly basis to report on various aspects within the design department. This job required excellent attention to detail, timekeeping and organisational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and see the ‘bigger picture’.

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  Corporate PRM

  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Senior Designer

    • Jun 2006 - Jul 2007
    • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Design and artwork of predominantly annual reports.

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  Bob Marketing

  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Senior Designer

    • Mar 2006 - May 2006
    • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Designing, conceptualising (alone or as part of a team), overseeing and signing off final artwork and presenting to clients

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  Ignite Your Brand

  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Senior Designer

    • Aug 2003 - Feb 2006
    • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    My duties ranged from taking briefs, conceptualising, designing, presenting to clients and managing any changes directly from the client, to producing artwork. I also co-ordinated production aspects of my jobs which included gathering cost estimates from suppliers, creating cost estimates for clients and liaising with suppliers. As a senior designer I managed the junior designer which involved briefing, brainstorming and guidance through various aspects of the job.

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  Hillside

  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

  • Designer

    • May 2003 - Aug 2003
    • Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Conceptualising, designing, production, artwork and client liaison. I worked closely with several suppliers and media departments of various magazines as well as managers of Fopp stores across the UK to meet their in-store requirements.

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  Eye Design Studio in association with Saatchi & Saatchi

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Senior Designer

    • Dec 1999 - Feb 2003
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

    In addition to my own duties as the senior designer, I had a team of two junior designers to oversee. My responsibilities were to brief, guide, implement any changes and approve their artwork before presenting to the client. Other duties included drawing up schedules, briefing artworkers, stylists and photographers and artworking jobs when necessary.

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  The Exquisite Art Company (rebranded ‘Calibre Brand Solutions’)

  • Cape Town, South Africa

  • Designer

    • Feb 1998 - Nov 1999
    • Cape Town, South Africa

    My first job after graduating provided excellent grounding for the experience required to execute designs from concept through to the print-ready stage. As I primarily worked on food packaging I art directed and supervised at several photographic shoots.