About

EXPERIENCE

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Valentte Ltd, Cheshire UK
Jan 2023 – present
  • Internally promoted to work closely with the Head of Marketing, New Products Manager and Creative Director to provide art direction for a wide range of design, photography and videography projects, coordinating team schedules and working to multiple deadlines.
  • Innovating brand identity by critically evaluating and developing brand guidelines and creative strategy in alignment with company expansion, contemporary audiences and social/ environmental issues.
  • Asserting brand values and personality by creating detailed briefs for onsite and inhouse photoshoots, resourcing appropriate props and working collaboratively to within a multidisciplinary creative team.
  • Autonomously developing own practice through MA studies and online resources and providing support/ mentorship to junior staff.
  • Implementing effective tools and processes to streamline communication and productivity within a rapidly expanding team.
MIDWEIGHT GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Valentte Ltd, Cheshire UK
2022 -2023
  • Internally promoted to specialise on email marketing: Working directly with the Marketing Manager to increase email conversion rates by implementing research and working responsively to A/B testing.
  • Working with external agencies as the Design Lead for specialist video/ motion graphic projects.
  • Participating in the recruitment of new team members and proactively engaging in the development of a rapidly growing small business.
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Valentte Ltd, Cheshire UK
2021 -2022
  • In house design role, responsible for the production of all digital and printed marketing collateral such as social media graphics for paid ads, video content, web graphics and packaging.
SALES ADMINISTRATOR
Art Graphics UK, Bollington, Cheshire
2020 -2021
  • Responsible for client liaison, maintaining and developing a portfolio of clients using CRM, quoting and accounting software, including HubSpot and Xero. Managing client expectations and maintaining confidentiality when providing specialist art presentation and conservation framing consultations.
  • Using specialist design software including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom and Premier Pro to produce visual assets for sales and marketing collateral such as product brochures, email marketing templates, social media graphics, product photography, videography, project proposals and client visuals.
  • Using Fusion 360 to create 3D visuals for clients and to assist with research and development of new products.
  • Organising and publishing content on multiple social media channels through Hootsuite.
  • Handling digital artwork files from clients to assess their suitability for print.
  • Assisting in the workshop with artwork treatments, handling, fit up and conservation processes when required.
  • Working to meticulous measurements and exercising acute attention to detail when creating production sheets for highly bespoke designs to be interpreted by the production team.
  • Participating in the recruitment of new team members and proactively engaging in the development of a small local business.
  • Arranging dispatch and collection services of artworks and completed products through contracted and external couriers.
CREATIVE TECHNICIAN AND SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE
Brilliant Fires Design Centre, Stockport
Aug 2019 – May 2020
  • Using Adobe Creative Suite and specialist photography equipment to produce visual assets for social media, web and print, including adverts in ‘Inside Magazine’ and an online product brochure.
  • Innovating the company’s social media presence by using content calendars, publishing and scheduling applications.
  • Creating engaging written social media content and product descriptions.
  • Supporting sales staff by working to deadlines when providing updated assets for home surveys and design consultations.
  • Maintaining positive relationships with clients by responding efficiently to enquiries and greeting visitors in the showroom.
  • Attending marketing events and liaising with external marketing companies in correspondence with the Managing Director to maximize brand exposure and increase sales.
DECORATIVE ASSEMBLER
Brilliant Fires Design Centre, Stockport
Jan 2018 – Aug 2019
  • Providing creative services to a luxury electric fire place manufacturer, independently responsible for the creation of handcrafted fuel effects and surrounds in response to standard and bespoke designs.
  • Assisting the Managing Director with the research and development of new products and in creative scenarios including the design of new show room spaces, specialist studio areas and workshop facilities.
  • Implementing a private online R&D journal to record evaluative analysis whilst providing technical support to inform developmental strategies.
  • Utilizing and maintaining a vast range of specialist equipment, tools, materials and substances in accordance with health and safety standards.
  • Innovating production quality and efficiency in collaboration with the Production Manager.
SCENIC ARTIST (Seasonal)
Vivid Experience, Lutterworth
Aug – Dec 2017
  • Workshop based role for a leading Christmas event design and management organisation, responsible for a variety of large and small-scale sets and props for high end venues including Birmingham NEC, Leicester Athena Roundhouse Derby and Manchester Apollo.
  • Using specialist 2D rendering processes to create illusory surfaces, character illustrations and architectural effects, making creative revisions appropriate for the project brief and target audience.
  • Assisting the Senior Designer and technical team with visual research, colour scheme selection, composition and themes. Travelling independently to client sites to produce customised features, assisting with installation of in-house constructs and conducting extensive quality checks.
  • Networking with event management representatives from other companies to ensure effective project completion.
FREELANCE COMMISSIONED ARTIST
2013 – 2017
  • Responsible for the design and management of my own website, social media, blog and promotional literature including business cards, exhibition catalogue content and featured work in publications such as the ‘Society for All Artists Magazine’. Developing and consulting a portfolio of clients on bespoke specifications.
  • Collaborating with small businesses to work on freelance projects such as The Tilting Kettle, a bespoke celebration cake design company:
  • Conducting research and creating prototypes to inform larger designs.
  • Adapting to a range of specialist industry techniques, media and equipment.
  • Creating a branding package for a start-up company, including logo and promotional literature designs such as business cards, website creation, product photography and product copy.
VOLUNTARY WORK PLACEMENT
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry
Mar – Apr 2010
  • Working autonomously to a set brief and presenting research findings directly to the project manager.
  • Designing leaflets to engage families and young children with exhibitions.
  • Executing project work involving the use of various equipment such as cameras and Mac computers.
  • Assisting members of the public regarding the gallery’s layout, events and exhibitions.

EDUCATION

MASTERS DEGREE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Falmouth University
2021 – 2023
BA (HONS) FINE ART: 2.1
Loughborough University
2014 – 2017
Modules:
  • Introduction to Fine Art
  • Developing Fine Art Practice
  • Research, Analysis and Study Skills in Art and Design
  • Contemporary Art and Aesthetics
  • Reflective Fine Art Practice
  • Locating Fine Art Practice
  • American Nightmare
  • Fine Art Practice: Final Project, Resolving Fine Art Practice
Dissertation:
  • ‘How does the Survival Instinct manifest in the Act of Creativity and in what variable contexts do the arts exercise human endeavour to transcend Human Limitations?’
ART & DESIGN FOUNDATION DIPLOMA: DISTINCTION
De Montfort University
2013 – 2014
Modules:
  • Researching, Recording and Responding
  • Media Experimentation
  • Preparation and Progression
  • Information and Interpretation
  • Personal Experimental Studies
  • Extended Media Development
  • Final Major Project: Representations on Nature and Finitude in Contemporary Art
Nicolas Chamberlaine Technology College  
2006 – 2013
A Level
  • A2 Fine Art | A*
  • A2 English Language | A
  • AS Level English Literature | C
GCSE’s
  • Art | A*
  • English Language | A*
  • English Literature | A*
  • Media | A*
  • Social Religion | A*
  • French | A*
  • Graphics | A
  • History | B
  • Maths | B  
  • Core Science | B
  • Additional Science | C
SKILLS
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Adobe Premier Pro
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Procreate
  • Fusion 360
  • Hootsuite
  • Email Design
  • Web Design
  • Social Media
  • Motion Graphics
  • Illustration
  • Print
  • WordPress
  • Photography
  • Retouching
  • Art Direction
  • Team Leadership
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
  • Ceramic sculpture
  • Nature
  • Outdoor activity and leisure
  • Environmentalism
  • Art history
  • Music
  • Film
  • Animal welfare and rights
  • Horticulture
  • Pets
  • *Full clean UK driving licence