Experience

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  Karen Franck - Creative

  • Cape Town

  • Freelance Graphic Designer / Creative

    • Dec 2011 - Present
    • Cape Town

    I'm a freelance Graphic Designer / Creative with over 28 years experience in the industry - I can carry a job from brief to print; versatile, efficient and responsible, with a wide range of expertise from advertising and branding to packaging and more. Available for off-site work on short or long contracts or for ad-hoc work – not available for on-site work.

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  Bletchley Park

  • Green Point, Cape Town

  • Senior Graphic Designer

    • May 2007 - Dec 2011
    • Green Point, Cape Town

    Acting Head of Department duties (Administrative – for approx. 8 months):• Conflict management• Studio management re. equipment, supplies, technical support, etc.• Managing of studio budgets• Hiring of staff for department• Assisting with trafficking of work into department• Status reports on all jobs within the department• System implementation • Liaison with suppliers (quote requests, production supervision)Senior Designer duties:• Conceptualisation, design, layout and repro• Assisting on art direction of most major jobs within department• Training of junior staff• Quality control on jobs leaving the department• Art direction on photographic shoots• Retouching of images

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  Catapult Advertising

  • Art Director/Studio Manager

    • Mar 2004 - Feb 2007

    • Studio Management.• Conceptualising, design and layouts for all major accounts.• Involvement on jobs from concept to repro.• Liaison with clients (taking of briefs and account management)• Liaison with suppliers.• Art Direction on photographic shoots.• Assisting with media planning for major clients.• Brand development.

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  Halcyon Africa

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Senior Graphic Designer

    • May 2003 - Jan 2004
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

    • Design, layout and preparing artwork for repro for all printed media for the various properties within the group e.g. brochures, print/press ads, menus, posters, flyers, stationary, etc.• Directing photo shoots for all the properties• Meeting with clients regarding briefs, marketing issues, advertising schedules, etc.

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  Vasoline Advertising

  • Graphic Designer / Studio Manager

    • 2000 - 2002

    • Design and conceptualising of campaigns from start to finish.• Technical support to fellow colleagues.• Preparing artwork for repro.• Management of studio• Assisting junior designers in art direction and interpretation of briefs.• Occasional client and supplier liaison • Presentation of concepts and artwork to clients.

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  Drexler Kyzer Design Studio

  • Kenilworth, Cape Town

  • Graphic Designer

    • Aug 1997 - Sep 2000
    • Kenilworth, Cape Town

    Design, repro and precision mock-ups for packaging ranging from alcohol brands, food packaging and cosmetics.

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  Jack Russell Images Production Company

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Illustrator/Animator

    • Aug 1994 - Dec 1996
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

    I worked on a 2 year contract with Jack Russell Images, illustrating and character creation for a 2 series (24 episodes each) production entitled "African Myths and Legends". I later moved on to the filming and animation (paper animation, 16mm Stop-frame) and manipulation of the paper characters. This production won a BAFTA Award in the UK for Best International Children's Animated Series and was also nominated for an ARTES award for best Children's Animated Series. I also animated and directed a pilot production of "The Adventures of Captain Crime-Stop" - an animated production for the SAPS who had created a character (Captain Crime-Stop) to illustrate to children the work of the police force in the community.