About
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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