The IPG Mediabrands One SJS Design Studio make amazing pitch graphics, theatre, documents and Powerpoint/Keynote presentations and also more interesting things. Senior Designer within a team of 7 talented brilliant people.

I regularly take on freelance graphic design projects. Recent clients include Cru World Wine, Kicking Horse Craft Beer Merchants, Arlo's Steak Restaurants, Specialty Brands, Nyetimber, The Pipe Of Port, and more.

As Creative Consultant for a small designer gift brand called Spaceform, the variety of projects I worked on was very broad and hands-on, and developed over time as changes were made within the company.I fulfilled the role of Creative Director; coming up with creative concepts, finding and applying trend and industry research, and briefing and managing freelance illustrators and product designers. I then use the suite of illustrations provided to develop larger ranges of product designs, with production techniques and price points in mind.I also spent time as a Marketing Manager, designing a marketing plan and then liaising with the external digital agency to come up with a framework for timing, scheduling and focus. Between late 2014 and Christmas 2015 I was regularly designing and writing marketing emails (through Mailchimp) to both consumers and trade, as well as blog and social media posts to support sales focuses, drive conversions and nurture the brand’s loyal customer base. This helped the turnover of the retail site to increase by over 400%.At times I've also managed the website; keeping the product ranges up to date, adding new products and writing necessary product information incorporating SEO and metadata, and keeping the main pages looking fresh and interesting. That means I also have experience of using a Content Management System (Kentico). An external digital agency began to provide more support once the marketing projects were up and running, and my role changed to become focussed on product development and design, including production using laser cutting technology.

After almost a year and a half of focussing mainly on management, product strategy and supplier management, I decided I wanted to get back to what I really enjoy doing and develop my design skills. I then joined Bibendum; a medium sized company with a full Marketing and Communications department and a team of 4 designers. It’s been a totally different experience and one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the balance of both individual projects and collaborative working. The design team are responsible for presenting all major internal and external communications, and also function as an in-house agency creating solutions for clients who are our wine customers. Bibendum in-house work includes things like brochures, corporate communications, and design for graphics and interiors for events ranging in scale from a couple of hours and 30 invitees to a full day take-over of an entire conference centre with 2500 people. We are also often responsible for making new business pitches shine.The client-side work can involve anything from a simple wine list or seasonal promotion to a complete brand launch.I'm used to communicating with several different departments in the business at once to collate all the information necessary for a project and outline a clear brief, and prioritising tasks whilst managing several deadlines at the same time. I liaise with printers and other suppliers and provide them with print-ready artwork.

I research, plan, develop and design new products taking a concept from a sketch right through to the final product, including sourcing and liaising with manufacturers and suppliers in the UK and the Far East, marketing, and trade shows.As Design Manager, I review current product ranges in terms of sales, popularity and brand relevance, and I keep them refreshed and up to date. I develop new product concepts and designs from sketch to sampling through to marketing and POS. I manage the design department and plan future projects in collaboration with the Managing Director. I enjoy pulling together a whole range of research and future trends to provide a creative strategy. I originally came to the Spaceform team as the in-house Graphic Designer, and as my role has grown I now manage two designers, one who works quite broadly over corporate and branding, to product development, manufacturer sourcing and design, and a surface pattern designer and visual merchandiser.

As the in-house designer I provide art direction and produce all graphic design including corporate communications, marketing and advertising, and contribute to international brand guardianship.I also develop new product designs from a sketch to the final product, through to marketing and trade shows, including sourcing and liasing with manufacturers and printers in the UK and China.With my Creative Director having been on maternity leave for some months now I have been instrumental in the planning and running of the design department in collaboration with the Managing Director, as well as keeping projects managed on a day to day level. Recently I've been been working on how we can bring the brand forward in 2010 and I really enjoy pulling together a whole range of future trends to provide a creative strategy.