I am a highly creative graphic designer with more than a decade of experience in the marketing and advertising industry. I have a strong foundation in arts and design, from which I have built professional skills in corporate communications, creative thinking and concepting, branding and typography. Over the course of my career I have worked across a wide variety of digital platforms, developing a broad knowledge of print production and an in-depth understanding of UX and UI design. I am now looking for an opportunity to contribute innovative ideas and enhance my design skills in a creative environment.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Lead Visual Designer - Cognizant, London
08.2022 - Present
- Lead the visual design process in order to establish a solid design direction and to execute creative UI designs
- Use visual design to produce creative narratives which to help build user journeys
- Simplify complex information and data using layout, infographics, video & animation
- Design comprehensive and cohesive strategies, collaboratively, to help clients make sustainable decisions for their business
- Plan and co-facilitate collaborative client-facing workshops
Senior Product Designer - Cognizant, London
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Involved in all phases of design – defining and delivering user-centred products end-to-end
- Create high fidelity prototypes in Figma and carefully consider interaction patterns and how components behave, including compiling new and using existing design systems
- Work as part of a fast-paced multidisciplinary Agile team, including refining tasks, writing user stories and informing overall priorities
- Work alongside UX designers to gather and validate hypotheses, write scripts, observe user testing sessions and note-take in order to iterate and improve designs with client and users
- Work closely with the development team to ensure delivery is possible and is implemented correctly to the defined specifications
- Lead presentation sessions involving stakeholders and clients to ensure the client vision and desired outcomes are being driven for and achieved
- Educate the client on the of the value of UX and UI - and more specifically visual design - and user-centred design thinking within the Agile delivery process
Senior Designer - Zone, London
10.2015 - 08.2019
- Produce high-level campaign-led creative – from feeding into the initial brief through to brief through concept/storyboard generation to final production & delivery, across multiple platforms – print design, email design, social media, integrated digital marketing including static and animated banner advertising. As an expert in relevant visual design software needed to produce this work I ensure final, signed-off design deliverables meet user and client requirements, and can be implementable by the tech team.
- Work closely with UX designers and FE developers to execute creative UI designs within an Agile, collaborative scrum team to ensure that output is tailored to the target audience.
- Actively seek opportunities to understand better how audiences interact with the services we create, and understand how to conduct user research.
- Direct line management of a junior member of the team. I motivate and mentor to help their personal and professional wellbeing, including managing performance, helping with career development and encouraging best practice in their work. I am responsible for providing critique and feedback on their work as well as the work of other team members, including freelance staff.
Middleweight Graphic Designer - Zone, London
04.2010 to 10.2015
- Working closely with existing brand guidelines and collateral that may come from external agencies.
- Work under pressure and to tight deadlines on projects and pitches. Confident in presenting design work and rationale to clients.
- Make sure that all work produced is consistent with the client's overall brand and wider campaign strategy. Working with them to understand the business needs and brand requirements.
- Collaborating with the client service team, as well as the editorial and wider design teams, to define project timings and ensure work is delivered on time and budget. Make the project owner aware of any risks to project quality, deadlines or budget if these arise.
- Plan and communicate with clients, and to help them understand our design process.
Graphic Designer - The New Fat, Nottingham
01.2007 to 04.2010
- Responsible for providing graphic design for a variety of printed materials including logos, ads, stationery, newsletters, annual reports, brochures, exhibition displays etc.
- Review layout and designs, suggesting improvements if needed and to analyse and provide input on other team members' designs.
- Responsible for project/client managing and co-ordinating various projects simultaneously.
- Working closely with printers and preparing print ready artwork for production.
- Preparing invoices, organising and leading client meetings and attending networking events.
Junior Graphic Designer - Panther Marketing, Loughborough
02.2006 to 01.2007
Junior Graphic/Web Designer/Art worker - Candid Design, Grantham
06.2005 to 02.2006
SKILLS & INTERESTS
- Expert knowledge Adobe CS suite inc. Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
- Expert knowledge of Sketch, Figma and Invision
- Expert understanding in and use of typography and colour
- Creative and art direction
- Passionate about print and UI digital design
- Good understanding of UX
- Full print knowledge and understanding
- Client and supplier liaison
- Managing and budgeting external suppliers
- Basic Flash animation experience in After Effects
- Basic understanding of html/CSS capabilities
- Proficient in Keynote and PowerPoint
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
- 2:1 BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, Loughborough University 07.2005
- Distinction BTEC in Art & Design, Loughborough University 05.2002
- 4 A Levels & 11 Higher GCSEs