About me
With over ten years in the creative sector, I have extensive experience working at all levels from managing designers to communicating and advising senior stakeholders. I am adept at creating strong working relationships, enabling me to offer clients strategic advice as well as creative direction so as to achieve the most effective solutions. With nearly a decade working in the public sector, I am skilled at managing the potential conflict between what a client asks for, what they can afford and what is needed to create a good piece of design. Working with a variety of public sector clients has also given me a good understanding of the complexity of organisations and dealing with internal politics.
Working as Assistant Creative Director for nearly two years, I was directly responsible for the creative output of the team as well as creatively directing projects, managing and nurturing the designers development. Like in any design studio, it was a fast paced environment, running multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines whilst line managing the six designers and ensuring their well-being and career development. We worked hard and always went the extra mile to get the best possible result for the client by working closely and effectively as a team.
I am a problem solver at heart and this extends to workflow and team processes. Whilst working at Westco I have been instrumental in multiple reorganisations of team structures and working procedure. As a core member of the creative management team, I created and executed the assessment framework for the designers and was responsible for recruitment across the team. Before leaving Westco I implemented a project management system overhaul and reorganised the server and file storage system to create a more effective workflow.
I have a strong work ethic and place high expectations on myself and my work. I understand that design is not a 9-5 job, and even when I'm not at work I constantly evaluate design and consumer experiences. I believe that design is not simply about making things look pretty but about problem solving and communication. Many clients underestimate the power of good marketing and I continually look at ways to add value to client's original briefs. As Assistant Creative Director I successfully initiated multiple projects such as extending the scope of a strategy layout to a complete brand redesign and proposing the refresh of a valued clients corporate identity to form a stronger and more flexible brand.
Skills
Account Management, Art Direction, Brain storming, Creative Direction, Graphic Design