The day job
Creative Artworker
Recent(ish) Projects
It's great to be able to share some examples of projects I've been involved with. But the 'proof is in the pudding' and the only way to truly find out if my artworking skills work for you is to test me. So please get in touch.
Modwen
Halogen found me via LinkedIn 2 years ago. We've had a great working relationship since, although we've never met and all our communication is via email! I designed the initial layouts for Modwen's 'Placebooks' using a similar document for reference along with their brand guidelines. Once this design was approved we rolled it out to 9 other Placebooks that are around 40 pages each. They exist as online documents saved as interactive PDFs linking to many outside sources. I also completed an extensive image search across various libraries to find suitable fillers where photography wasn't supplied.
Bath Festival Programme 2022
Tasks involved: Setting up a template of master pages and style sheets in InDesign from So's design. Using my own initiative creating layouts with the text and images supplied. Some pencil sketches were supplied by So for spreads requiring more creative input. Dealing with client, through various rounds of amends and preparing artwork for print for 60 pages.
Jersey Stamps
An extra special project for me created during lockdown 2019. I was given the challenge by So Design to hand-cut all the paper elements they cleverly designed, then prepare artwork for the stamps and associated literature. The papercuts were professionally photographed by Pete Thorpe.
Bisley
Tasks involved: Setting up a template using pencil sketches, guidelines and visuals from So Design. Over the years I have worked on many similar brochures to this one, involving page layouts and amends of 60+ page documents through to preparing final artwork for print.
King's College School Yearbook
A yearly project for So Design. This data heavy document was 164 pages and included many tables. My involvement each year consists of initial layout using copy and images supplied, amends and creating print ready artwork.
Forestry England
Working with a set of guidelines and using previous artwork files a whole series of these leaflets were refreshed in a new brand style.
Nationwide
BMinc hire my services regularly for various projects. This is just one example showing a handful of pages from one of the many PowerPoint templates I have created for Nationwide. The templates are set up using master pages and a personalised theme from BMinc's design. Mike often asks me to cast an eye over a project and give it the final artwork check. He also designed my 'loves the jobs you hate' branding.
PSG
Another of BMinc's clients. For this project a whole suite of Word templates were created again, using Mike's designs, with a few adjustments here and there to accommodate Word's limitations.
Loganberry
Dealing direct with Nicole, founder of Loganberry, I redesigned this range of products and created artwork for 37 packages including soaps, balms and serums.
BICYCLE
The Green Space recently came to me for a 'quick turn around' PowerPoint template including a 60-page set of guidelines that work alongside. Using their finished design along with a set of guidelines, we created a restrictive template which enables Bicycle's staff to insert their own content while keeping their presentations on-brand.
Revising in the 80's
I started my career back in the mid 80s with a YTS in Graphic Design – a bit like an apprenticeship where you attend college 2 days a week and work for the other 3. I had some great placements starting with Whitehall Printing (who are still going strong), then Crispin Design, taken over by County Publications and then Plus One Set, where my full-time career began.
Working with talented Art Directors, Senior Designers and Creatives over the years has helped shape me into the Artworker I am today. I left the last full-time job as a Senior Creative Artwork Manager from successful agency, Dutton Merrifield, and started my 18-year freelance career.
Attention to detail, the ability to use my own initiative, and having a good sense of humour are my key skills I've been told. Although, more recently, clients find my ability to create beautiful PowerPoint presentations very appealing #sigh.
(I'm not a copywriter, or proofreader*, so please don't judge me on my writing skills – but I can spot** a double space and en-dash missing and make sure everything is nicely lined-up and consistent!)
Highlights
Dutton Merrifield, The Old Church, Redfield & Clifton. We worked hard and played hard. It was the 90s after all! In many agencies the projects vary widely. At DM we worked for Orange, 3, Bristol Zoo & Kenco just to name a few. Projects ranging from mobile phone user guides to bus backs. I'll never forget flying to Stockholm to work on a time-sensitive important bid for Orange – realising when we got there it was to be 'designed' in Word! We had to learn on our feet but I am grateful as those Microsoft design skills have come in handy over the years. But, the parties and social life with colleagues were the most memorable and I've made friends for life.
Gravity, The Paintworks. Working with Sam Lacey, brilliant Creative Director (now somewhere foraging in Spain) and Mike Cannings, awesome illustrator/designer and now Creative Director and founder of BMinc. We worked brilliantly as a team and had great communication with clients such as Wiltshire Farm Foods, Apetito & The Groovy Food Company. We also laughed so hard sometimes one of us would need to leave the room.
So Design, Wick. Steve Haskins (Creative Director and founder) is one of the most talented Creative Directors I've met and has always been an inspiration. Along with his Photoshop and 3D guru Mick and talented digital creator Tom they have a team most agencies would desire! I've had the pleasure of working on accounts such as Bath Festivals, Bisley, Royal Mail, Kings College and Iford Arts. Steve hired me, not only as an Artworker, but also 'Paper Cutter' for Jersey Stamps. Which was a dream come true to be paid commercial rates for my craft.
*I'm not a web designer either... although I actually managed to create this website for FREE! So hopefully you can excuse the basic template and clunkiness of it.
**Maybe not on my own website after finishing it at midnight on the hottest day of the year.