About me

Personal Statement

I had my first experience with graphic design in 1996, when I visited the studio of a graphic designer; there were everywhere printed papers, colors, photos and I was automatically fascinated by the way he was working. My natural love for creativity, design and color made me want to pursue a career in graphic design. While doing my business management degree I started creating designs for t-shirts and simultaneously enrolled in a graphic design course. Once I graduated I worked in publishing and advertising companies either as a freelancer or as an employee. My aim was to expand my knowledge and improve my skills in order to meet the demands of the market in the field of graphic design as well as in the area of screen/litho printing.

Throughout my professional hustle, my team spirit, initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, hard work and my organizational skills were recognized and appreciated by all my employers and clients.

My professional experience taught me the real meaning of the terms of responsibility, communication and constant need for professional development. That is why I never missed any training opportunity in the field I am so passionate about. After 12 year of continuous activity in the graphic design industry I have gained a great experience in it. My private business had a self efficient production line unit for digital printing, screen printing, signs and other related printings. I am specialized and fully trained in the use of most of the existing machinery in the field of graphic design arts as well as printing onto acrylics with U.V and solvent inks as well as onto stickers, pvc, small items (such as lighters, pens, key rings etc) as well as in nicking and cutting on wood, pvc and Plexiglas with the use of CNC routers. More precisely, I have a great knowledge in using machines such as 4 colour-4 station screen printing press printers, flat silk screen printers, cylinder screen printers, press for silk screening, Rolland sp540v (use as well as their service &maintenance), gold color silk printers, tambon developing machines, badge machines, wide format inkjet printers and cutters, router machines for cutting on wood. I have a professional expertise in making screens, mixing inks and use hand bench printing machines.

During the last seven years I was managing my own advertising company and everything was under my supervision and control. I had 14 employees who I fully supervised for around 7 years. I have worked with more than 5000 customers, which is something that can be proven by my professional portfolio. As a result of this I have gained a great experience in approaching, communicating and business dealing with customers from different walks of life and with different needs. I am in the position to work in any advertising company irrelevant of its size and nature of its customers and I can easily create, organize as well as supervise the whole process from capturing an idea to the finalization of it.

Due to the financial crisis of the last 3 years in my homeland, Greece, the maintenance of a business like mine, was extremely difficult and for that reason I decided to close it down and relocated to London permanently. I believe that my existing knowledge and professional skills could be recognized and utilized in any business of the graphic design and/or printing industry. I am a young, passionate, enthusiastic and very hard working individual with a desire to excel in anything I do. I learn quickly and can adapt easily in any working environment.

Skills

Screen Printing Graphic Design sign making silk screen printing machine operator Textile Prints Decoration Screenwriting Screen Painter Web Design Product Design art work Product Marketing Market Research Marketing Strategy Digital Printing Print Management Wide Format Printing Printers, Sign Makers Skills, - Designing signs using computer software, which then programs the plotters and vinyl cutters to produce the finished product., - Using solvent-based inks and high-resolution digital printers to produce printed vinyl's and banners., - Cutting out metal and plastic letters to create 3D signs., - Printing and applying graphics and livery to vehicles.

Sector Experience

Graphic Design Skills, - Finding out about the project requirements (taking a 'brief')., - Estimating the time the project will require, and providing a cost quotation., - Coming up with design concepts that fit the client's needs., - Presenting options for design treatments., - Creating final designs, working to a deadline and budget., - Amending designs according to the clients' final comments., - Proofreading and preparing designs to be sent to print.

Awards

TRAINING SEMINARS/CONFERENCES, 2004-2nd Conference on Visual Communication and New Technologies -Thessaloniki, Greece, 2004-Seminar on “5 design tools” -University of Macedonia, Greece, 2005-Panorama of Greek Design, Athens, Greece, 2005- Seminar “Design Day” -University of Macedonia, Greece, 2006- Seminar “Corporate ID”-Athens, Greece, 2006- Seminar “Design Day” -University of Macedonia, Greece, 2006- Panorama of Greek Design, Athens, Greece, 2007-Theory and practice of the labeling systems-University of Macedonia, Greece, 2007 -3rd International Conference on Visual Communication and new technologies, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2010-Seminar on pasting cast stickers on cars and buses -Athens, Greece

Clients

Screen Printing Skills, - Manage the selection and mixing of inks before printing., - Set up and run printing presses, which can range from simple hand-operated presses high-speed production presses., - Check colour, conductivity, registration and ink film thickness, and make adjustments to maintain efficient production., - Dry the printed items by loading them into drying racks or dryers, using hot air or ultraviolet light., - Load the machine with the correct inks., - Load the paper or other material to be printed, setting the correct size., - Carry out a trial run and make any adjustments required., - Oversee the printing, checking that the quality is correct and the colours constant.