Experience

Studio Okko

• United Kingdom
• Graphic Design
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & Creative Director

  • Oct 2020 - Present

  Studio Okko is the brand strategy and graphic design studio of Kath Oakley. With over twenty years of design industry experience working within a wide variety of sectors – as diverse as the arts; charities; education; music; leisure and tourism and the drinks industry – and from global to local reach, I bring a research-driven, empathetic approach. Combining an artistic sensibility with a clean, modernist design aesthetic allows me to produce work that can have a broad scope and reach. Show less



West College Scotland

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Part-time Graphic Design Lecturer

  • Oct 2021 - Present

  My current role is as a part-time Graphic Design Lecturer working within the Creative Industries Dept and currently based at the Paisley campus. I deliver and teach classes for students at NC to HND level. I am responsible for setting class briefs and lesson prep in accordance with SQA Unit descriptors and key outcomes. Within the classroom I provide instruction, guidance, tutorials, presentations and support from a class-wide perspective to more focused one-to-one sessions. I am also responsible for keeping records of work, progress, attendance, any disciplinary issues that may occur and of course ensuring the students are motivated within a welcoming and supportive environment. Although hired specifically for teaching Graphic Design I have also delivered classes in a range of other art and design subjects, from Animation to Interior Design and to Fine Art Research. In addition I have also delivered Commercial Professional Development courses in Software Skills for Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. I've recently delivered a NQ Creative Industries unit – MOYA – at Castlehead High School in Paisley working with Year 6 pupils. MOYA is a West College Scotland initiative to develop, enhance and ignite students and pupils entrepreneurial and networking skills and includes the design and manufacture of their own range of merchandise. I'm passionate about providing a link between education and industry, accessible for all – particularly for those from less advantaged backgrounds. Show less



Imaginary Friends

• United Kingdom
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Designer

  • Jun 2011 - Aug 2020

  In my nine years at Front Page (now Imaginary Friends) in Glasgow, I was a key member of the creative team for Disney and Celebrity Cruises, producing a range of print and digital materials for consumer and trade use, applicable to global and local markets. Within this team, as well as independently, I was responsible for liasing with internal Account Managers and occasionally directly with external clients to take briefs from concept to completion, and often within tight timeframes. I also designed successful branding for smaller clients, such as Jura-based Lussa Gin – which involved the design and key visual illustration for the bottle packaging, as well as an extensive suite of supporting illustrations for wider brand and website usage. This lead to the International Wine & Spirit Competition Gold Award for Design in 2018. Show less



The Creative Foundry

• Largs, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Graphic designer

  • Nov 2010 - Jan 2011

  I was responsible for branding and website design projects for a variety of clients from the retail and hospitality sectors, working within a small team in this family-run Largs-based business. I was responsible for branding and website design projects for a variety of clients from the retail and hospitality sectors, working within a small team in this family-run Largs-based business.



Glowfish Creative Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Freelance designer

  • May 2010 - Nov 2010

  Mainly working in conjunction with previous Vested Interest Design colleagues – now set-up at Glowfish Creative Ltd. I worked independently and in collaboration on various web, infographic and graphic design projects. Mainly working in conjunction with previous Vested Interest Design colleagues – now set-up at Glowfish Creative Ltd. I worked independently and in collaboration on various web, infographic and graphic design projects.



Vested Interest design

• Graphic Design

• Graphic Designer

  • Apr 2006 - Apr 2010

  Working within a small company of eight at this established Greenock-based design company we were generally responsible for managing our own workload and client management. This could range from organising initial meetings and briefings, liasing with external suppliers, budget considerations, quote supply, project time management as well as working on print or digital designs from concept to final design and presentation. I worked on a variety of projects from branding, exhibition design, reports, website design and graphics and signage.Our clients came from a wide variety of different specialisms, from within both the public and private sector, and included defence, education, health, leisure and retail. These included Cigna, Babcock International, Ross Hall Hospital, University of Strathclyde and Vango. Show less

• Freelance designer

  • Apr 2005 - Apr 2006



Freelance

• Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Freelance designer

  • 2005 - 2006

  Mainly working with Kibble – a specialist centre for young people in Paisley on their rebrand, amongst other client work at Vested Interest Design – prior to being re-employed on a permanent contract. Mainly working with Kibble – a specialist centre for young people in Paisley on their rebrand, amongst other client work at Vested Interest Design – prior to being re-employed on a permanent contract.



Good. Brand Consultants.

• United Kingdom
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Artworker/designer

  • Oct 2004 - Jan 2005

  I was responsible for supporting the senior team in producing final print-ready artwork, including for example, drinks industry client Burn Stewart Distillers. I was responsible for supporting the senior team in producing final print-ready artwork, including for example, drinks industry client Burn Stewart Distillers.



Glasgow Caledonian University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Artworker/designer

  • Aug 2004 - Oct 2004

  Working within the Print and Design Services Department I was responsible for the updating and printing of University stationery, alongside other internal promotional design and artworking requirements. Working within the Print and Design Services Department I was responsible for the updating and printing of University stationery, alongside other internal promotional design and artworking requirements.



2fluid Creative

• Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Graphic designer

  • Jul 2003 - Jan 2004

  I worked on a range of projects from website design and graphic asset production to brochure and branding – including pitch work – for a range of clients in the leisure and hospitality sectors. I worked on a range of projects from website design and graphic asset production to brochure and branding – including pitch work – for a range of clients in the leisure and hospitality sectors.



Vested Interest design

• Graphic Design

• Graphic designer

  • May 2001 - Mar 2003

  In my initial year at Vested Interest Design I had similar responsibilities to those stated above. In my initial year at Vested Interest Design I had similar responsibilities to those stated above.



Nairnbrook

• Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

• Junior designer

  • Nov 1998 - May 2001

  I supported the main graphic designer on a range of design and artworking projects, as well as preparing and sending files to the large format printer and undertaking any post-print finishing. I supported the main graphic designer on a range of design and artworking projects, as well as preparing and sending files to the large format printer and undertaking any post-print finishing.