Wordpress based website for my university third year major project, Revolution. An online magazine featuring extreme sports, music and DVD reviews, and downloadable content.

I really enjoyed this project as I learnt a lot about PHP and skinning Wordpress. It’s the first time I’ve ever skinned a Wordpress blog and I’m really pleased with the way it came out. I also included a javascript theme changer, changing between C M Y K colour schemes.

Design and coding by myself.

http://www.revmag.co.uk

May 14th, 2008

Magazine for my university third year major project, Revolution. It’s a purely online magazine featuring extreme sports, music and DVD reviews, and downloadable content.

Was interesting to do as the brief was self set, and although I hate magazine layouts, I really enjoyed it. I took most of the photos myself but also had a showcase section where I got some upcoming BMX photographers to submit images to me. I’m thinking about continuing this as a quarterly publication if time allows, so there may well be more spreads in here one day.

May 14th, 2008

Logo development for my university third year major project, Revolution. An online magazine featuring extreme sports, music and DVD reviews, and downloadable content.

I wanted to create something slightly edgy, but with a smart appearance too. I went through loads of development until I finally came up with this. Went through numerous colour schemes until I realised straight up black was the best way. On the website it’s also seen in Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.

May 14th, 2008

Web Design

CSS/XHTML

I hand write my code to the standards set by the W3C. While developing I regularly check to make sure it validates, which allows for greater compatibility with current and future technologies. I also check its cross-browser compatibility in all major browsers, across all major platforms.

Search Engine Opimisation

When engines such as Google rate your site, they are more likely to position you favourably in searches if your code is clean and standards-compliant. This is one of my highest priorities, which makes it easier for your customers to find you.

Content Management System/E-Commerce

I use Wordpress as my CMS of choice, although it’s primarily a blogging engine, with the right plugins and templates, I can adapt it to be almost anything you want it to be. If you require an e-commerce site, I use Zen-Cart to produce a high quality, usable and accessible site.

Social Networking

With sites like MySpace and Facebook becoming more and more popular, making yours stand out can be an important part of your identity, especially if this is where the majority of your custom comes from. I have the skills and knowledge to be able to tailor you a profile that will leave others looking bland in comparison, and can provide anything from a simple colour scheme change to a fully customised profile.

Print Design

With 5 years of education behind me I’ve learnt the correct techniques and skills to be able to produce design briefs ranging from business stationary or band posters, books and magazines, to entire branding campaigns. When you present to me your initial ideas and concepts, I can turn them into visuals that will stick in your mind, and the minds of your customers.

May 8th, 2008

E-mail

jon(@)jonmack.co.uk
I aim to reply to all emails within 24 hours, although sometimes it may take longer.

Telephone

+44 (0) 7792 580 150
If you need to contact me instantly feel free to phone me.

Instant Message

If you use either of these IM services feel free to add me for a chat or quote.

AIM

jonXmack

MSN

iamjonmack(@)googlemail.com

May 3rd, 2008

Download

Please feel free to download my CV and read at your own leisure.

Personal Profile

For the whole of my life technology has been something that I’ve been interested in, but it’s only in the last five years or so that I decided to specialise in graphic design. In that time I have learnt a lot about all areas of design, the internet, and computers in general. I love what I do, and I can’t imagine ever working outside of the creative industry.

I feel my major strength to be web design, but I also have the knowledge to work on print based media. More recently I have started to take an interest in photography, more of which can be seen here. I also spend some time working on motion graphics in Adobe After Effects.

Qualities

Design

I have the capability to work in most environments, and when working I’m not limited to one style, I can take on many others. I’m able to work efficiently, and I never let pressure get to me, even when working to the tightest of deadlines. I will never stray from guidelines set out by the creative brief, and I’m always researching to increase my knowledge of typography and design in general.

Personal

I consider myself to be a level headed character, with a sense of humour that appeals to all. I’m well mannered and friendly, and enthusiastic. I am also a non-drinker and non-smoker.

Hobbies

I spend a lot of my time in front of a computer, and as such I enjoy art, design, technology and photography, and consider myself to be very technologically literate. Music is a big part of my life and I attend a lot of live concerts. To keep fit I regularly cycle, and when relaxing I enjoy watching films and playing computer games. You can find my photography here.

Career History

Fear and Rolling

January 2007 - February 2008
I was employed by Fear and Rolling to be a webmaster/designer. My role was to look after the running of the online shop software, making sure stock was added and taken off as it came into, or went out of the shop. I also spend lots of time designing t-shirts, posters, and advertisements for the shop, one of which went to print in the UK rollerblading magazine, Kingdom. I left in February on good terms to concentrate on my university studies.

Software Knowledge

I have an extensive knowledge of many software applications, listed are those which I find myself using on a regular basis.

Adobe Photoshop

I have been using Photoshop since around 2001, and I consider myself to be a proficient user. I usually start my visualisation processes in here before taking them over to other applications. I have also spent time retouching and editing photos when working as a photographer.

Adobe Illustrator

I much prefer working in vectors rather than bitmaps, and over the last 3 years I have learnt my way around the interface of Illustrator. Although illustration isn’t my strong point it’s my application of choice for logo and stationary design.

Adobe InDesign

When it comes to laying out documents this is my application of choice, I’ve used it heavily while at university, and especially during my third year major project, which can be seen in my portfolio.

I also have knowledge of Adobe Lightroom, and more recently, After Effects.

Textmate

Over the years I have gone between many HTML authoring software, ranging from WYSIWYG to plain text editors, but I’m most comfortable with Textmate, as I’ve always specialised in hand coding. It offers a nice working arrangement and when I’m looking through hundreds of lines of CSS or XHTML the syntax highlighting does wonders.

Applications

My knowledge is not limited to the above applications, since 2003 I have been 100% Mac based, so I know my way around Apple OS X, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, Keynote, and Pages. If needs be I can take to a PC and have experience with both Windows XP and Vista. As I spend a lot of my time on a computer I’m comfortable with Safari, Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer, and regularly use all of the above for cross browser compatibility testing.

Education:

2005 - 2008
University of Wales, Newport

BA(Hons) Graphic Design
Final Result 2:1
Year Three 2:1
Year Two 2:1
Year One: 2:2

2003 - 2005
Weston College, Weston-super-Mare

BTEC National Diploma Graphic Design
Merit Merit Distinction

1998 - 2003
Worle School, Weston-super-Mare

GSCE English Language C, English Literature C, Maths B, Science CC, Art C, Design Technology B

Personal References

Don Parker
Course Leader
University of Wales, Newport
Caerleon Campus
PO Box 101
Newport
NP18 3YG
+44 (0) 1633 432432

May 3rd, 2008

Over the last 5 years I’ve studied under the guidance of numerous professionals and lecturers. I’m now confident enough to create anything from a simple business card to a complete corporate brand identity, and anything in between.

May 3rd, 2008

With many years of web developing experience, I am able to produce the solid web presence you need to help your business expand. I tailor my designs and interfaces to meet the demands of you and your customers, no matter how complex.

May 3rd, 2008

Online web store for Newport’s famous skateboarding shop, ‘Freestyle’. As seen on MTV’s ‘Dirty Sanchez’

This project was quite interesting for me, as it was the first time I had ever had to theme an e-commerce site. Overall I’m happy with the end result and I look forward to taking more on.

Design produced by Ben - http://www.bendidit.co.uk
Coding by myself.

http://www.freestyleskatestore.com

May 1st, 2008