Ben Read Email & Phone Number

Hong Kong

51 Clapham High Street

Matrix is an internationally recognised and award-winning product design, development and sourcing agency, working to develop amazing products for incredible brands in the retail and airline industries. Founded in 1996, Matrix is headquartered in London with offices in Hong Kong, China, Dubai and Los Angeles.I worked as the Creative Director at Matrix managing a 10 strong internal design team and a regular pool of freelancers. I introduced trend analysis into the business and developed biannual seasonal reports in web and magazine format for the retail and airline industries, creating and writing macro trend stories for each season. Trend research and analysis enabled the ongoing development of on-trend price competitive product ranges.Key responsibilities:- Managed and directed all creative output from a 10 strong internal design team and a regular pool of freelancers, including directing output for specific skill sets.- Lead creative brainstorms with cross-departmental teams to help surface new, innovative ways to create content/ product development- Creation and management of the studio budget.- Involved in all new business pitches presenting our creative capability and trend expertise. Regularly speaking to clients to review and evolve the brief and design progress to ensure the products created are on brand and delivered as quickly as possible.- Presented concepts of colour cosmetics, beauty/wellness, consumer tech and stationery to high volume retailers such as, Primark, Boots, Accessorize and Superdrug and M&S.- Oversaw and lead the creation of brands for clients based on our own and the client’s consumer intelligence.- Oversaw the development of design layouts, specifications, die-lines/mechanicals for retail packaging and other printed, graphic materials.- Worked with airlines and brands to deliver specific briefs developing onboard amenities, beauty and textiles.

London, United Kingdom

Managing a team of 4 in house designers and 7 external freelancers, a great asset to the company was a workflow system I implemented to help manage the business' demands and keep everything transparent between departments, giving an online paper trail of all projects, imagery and comments. Having a natural ability to organise and keep on top of all demands from start to completion is vital to my role - I manage an average of 80 projects consistently from bespoke to core. Another organisational factor is managing and creating the budget for the studio.Further to managing and being team leader of a studio, I have the opportunity to forecast trends. I foresee 18 months in advance for the business SS/AW. This allows me to keep ahead and up to date with key trends and Art Direct with a slightly more theoretical influence at times. I re-search and visit trade shows, exhibitions and comp shop regularly with my team to keep them motivated, inspired and current. Starting my early career as a graphic designer myself, writing trends is a great way for me to stay creative and in-tune with my team.As well as the studio, I work closely with the product managers, directors, sales and marketing departments. Liaising between departments regularly builds a report and gives me an insight into understanding of all factors. I also feel it plays a vital part in getting projects completed more efficiently and to a higher standard. For example, I've been on a successful sourcing trip to China and Hong Kong with a Product Manager. This allowed me to get a better understanding of the production process which in turn expands the range of information I can pass on to designers when creating new product. I am customer facing and have been an integral part in many presentations. These include, presenting my trend forecasts and relevant concepts to Urban Outfitters HQ in Philadelphia, J Crew in New York, and H&M in Sweden.

Gemma International

Manage workflow, oversee internal and external designers projects from initial brief to production, trend forecast for the business and build strong relationships with licensors.

Andover Hampshire

I produced innovative and commercial designs for both licensed and generic ranges on greeting cards, gift packaging, party products and stationery. Illustrating 3D visuals and flat artwork for production.

I worked as the designer in the marketing team. As well as doing lots of promotional material such as magazine adverts and posters, I designed surface graphics forpackaging and did photography which was used on my press releases on a monthly basis.

Hnd2 In Graphic Design

Education record