About me
RAJINDER KALSI
Cover letter/personal statement/job description
With a background in both agency and in-house creative teams, and across several sectors, I work with businesses to promote and champion their brand to clients and employees, through a wide range of internal and external communications. Working alongside marketing professionals and other specialists I identify and implement creative, design-led solutions that support the business, either by leading project teams or working in a solo capacity. Dealing with multiple stake-holders on projects, as well as working closely with board-level clients, I have built a reputation as a reliable, trusted adviser and supportive lieutenant to both local and global colleagues.
After working in corporate and studio environments I moved In to my current role. I was tasked to set up
from scratch, an In-house department to centralise the design and production of the business's print and
digital media. I rolled out the new brand across the various associations and branches within the business, ensuring all print and digital items adhere to the guidelines. I redesigned and set up all the corporate documents, magazines, brochures, sub-brands, presentations, advertising, exhibitions, event advertising/ literature/invitations, high end art exhibition catalogues, apparel and much more. I oversee the work of the reprographics department and artworker ensuring quality control. I am responsible for the whole remit of
work liaising with colleagues from all departments, external printers and suppliers. Producing high end printed material sometimes keeping to design guidelines and at other times coming up with new concepts. The department was asked to submit our work to the 'National Fresh Design Awards' as it was a model example of a re-brand with good design and strategy. We came second to Not on The High Street. A proud achievement.
A summary of the services I provide:
BRAND
I helped establish the new brand and provide quality professional designs around the business to raise its image and profile. As I am the brand police, I will see what can be improved and will set about doing so, developing the brand guidelines as necessary. Even to the point of redecorating the office to create a corporate studio environment to inspire creativity. I recently attended a course at UAL on "Luxury Brand Management".
DESIGN SERVICE
Promoted and established an internal, approachable design service that the whole business can draw upon. I also liaise directly with printers, suppliers and organisers to get tasks done. For print jobs I will get the quotes and work out the schedules for each project. For exhibitions I will make all the arrangements with the venue, for example - for our annual stand at the Independent Schools show at Battersea I will make the arrangements, design the stand and produce the artwork and digital presentation. I also source the props and floral arrangement then gather it all and go and set up the stand myself.
DESIGN CONSULTANCY
Source for consulting on any form of design or creative input from web and digital design to interiors and exhibitions. I liaise at all levels and deal with stake holders directly from the Head Master, staff, suppliers to the pupils. We have some very high profile artists, speakers and sports personalities that pass through for exhibitions, talks and tours. I liaise directly with them and am able to provide a professional and quality service.
DEPARTMENT ORGANISATION
I am responsible for the set up and implementation of department organisational processes, efficiency, quality control and keeping up to date with current design trends.
DIGITAL
Am involved in moving towards digital forms and documents. I have brought some digital knowledge with me which has been utilised to design two websites. I been on training for email newsletters and interactive PDFs in order to keep up with industry changes.
PHOTOGRAPHY
I have commissioned and art directed the photography for our portfolio. I am currently working on organising a photo shoot of the school and boys to expand our photo library.
GUIDING AND MENTORING
My experience as a lecturer in graphic design was a hands-on role setting students briefs and assisting them in working through all the stages from ideas conception, design development and teaching them how to produce the final artwork using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
This experience has equipped me with the skills to assist staff on design development and artworking. I mentor the artworker and am the call to person for Adobe queries from other users on site.
Skills
Advertising, annual reports, Branding, corporate design, design for print, digital design, education, Financial, healthcare, Interactive Design, Motor, pitch documents, presentations, Typography, Utilities, web desugn