I started working as a print designer working in the advertising and publishing industry as Graphic Designer to Art Director roles. With the introduction of the internet, I started to expand my skills to front-end and some back-end web development working for a web development company where we produced a wide range of websites from CMS driven websites to Flash/Static websites. Then with the popularity of smartphones and tablets, I trained and upgraded my skills to produce mobile apps for both smartphones and tablets (using Adobe DPS, MagPlus and Oomph) for iOS and Android.

I have worked for large iconic brands so I understand the importance of designing within brand guidelines without compromising on creative freedom. Working for clients such as Samsung, LG and Telstra, I understand that working within brand is one aspect you have to respect and the importance of creating great designs but keep within brand guidelines is essential. I have always been confident in my abilities to create compelling and creative designs and have a diverse range of design skills having worked in a variety of design mediums.

WEB DESIGN
I have over 10 years experience working as Website Designer having worked on large scale websites such as Samsung Australia , Telstra and the National Rugby League to smaller websites like Peppers Hotel Group and small business websites. I have great communication skills and have the ability the liaise with marketing/advertising departments, developers, editors and external companies to produce great work. I also have skills creating rich HTML newsletters and have used bulk-mailing site such as MailChimp.

UX/UI DESIGN
Having worked in web for many years, I always thought I had a good understanding of what UX/UI Design was. But recently completed the General Assembly User Experience Design course and I have a new understanding of UX/UI design. From my background as a creative designer, the thought of user journey, behaviours, heuristics, interviews, wireframes and personas would never come up in my design thinking but after completing the course, have a great understanding that great UX/UI starts with research and understanding of the user before you start to think about making it look good. I believe with the knowledge I have learnt at General Assembly, has enabled me as a creative designer to look at UI/UX from start of the project not as a designer but as a researcher and trying to understand the project and the user journey. I used wireframing tools like Axure and Balsamiq during my time at General Assembly.

MOBILE APPLICATION
My experience working in publishing for many years help me get my introduction to mobile app design working on a conversion on a existing magazine I had designed and the client wanted to convert this as a tablet app for both iOS and Android. Working with various platforms like MagPlus, Oomph and Adobe Digital Publishing Suite, I used Adobe InDesign to create apps for Samsung Australia and LG Electronics. I also worked with developers creating apps like Samsung TV Selector Tool where I worked with mobile developers from the start to initial design to functionality, BETA testing to completion.

ADVERTISING
My advertising experience comes from my initial design position as a Mac Operator/Designer for ION International, a ‘below-the-line’ advertising agency based in North Sydney. From there, I started to freelance as a graphic designer working with agencies such as McCann Erickson, AdPartners & Neo One and having the opportunity to work with clients such as British Airways, NSW TAB, Optus and Jeep.

PUBLISHING
My publishing design experience comes from working as a Deputy Art Director at Next Media, a Sydney based magazine/publishing company. My next publishing position was as Deputy Art Director for two publications, Bradmans Business Guide and SquareMeal for London based Monomax Publishing Ltd. I’ve also worked for international publishing giant Haymarket Media as an Art Director for a monthly computer title Atomic Maximum Power Computing where I received the award for Best Production at the annual Sun Microsystems IT Journalism Awards in 2007.

PACKAGING
My packaging design experience comes from working for Elton Ward Advertising & Design, a Sydney based design studio specialising in packaging and advertising . I designed new packaging for Listermint, new corporate identity for OneWorld Sports Bar Darling Harbour and the re-branding of the Vicks VapoDrop line. I was also involved in the print side of the company producing print material for Equal Sugar Sweetener, SCG trust and NSW Waratahs.