CV

· Digital Designer with 10+ years brand, digital and print design industry experience
· Client projects to date include work with GLOBE-TROTTER/EURO RSCG/EMAP/C&W/GSK/LEGO/LEE JEANS
· Excellent communication and client facing skills. Team player, results driven with an eye for detail
· Skilled in understanding commercial briefs to deliver outstanding brand focused creative content
· Design/Development CMS experience working with WordPress, Joomla, Squarespace, EZ Publish and Morello
· Currently available in a freelance capacity to create and deliver digital projects

Creative and Digital skills

· Graphic – Creative direction, design, corporate identity, illustration, photography, typography
· Web/CMS – WordPress, Squarespace, CSS/HTML updates, e-commerce, site optimisation
· User Experience - Front-end interface design, site usability studies, web statistics analysis
· Information Architecture - Site map development, content development and integration
· Animation - Banner advertisements, e-card development, streaming media knowledge
· Software (inc) - Illustrator CS3, Photoshop CS3, Dreamweaver CS3, Flash CS3, Fireworks CS3

Analysis and Marketing skills

· Researching - Markets, trends, consumer profiling, end users, new technology
· Creating - Client pitches, advertising, graphics, websites, marketing and p.o.s material
· Developing - Business plans, brand strategy, editorial content, website plans, PR
· Managing - Clients, projects, developers, suppliers, budgets, teams
· Executing - Innovative concepts, increased awareness, sales, increased profitability

Achievements

· EMAP/Glaxo Smith Kline brand, graphic design and website development
Results: – Fashion and FMCG brands increased traffic/sales and individual brand recognition

· Cable and Wireless photo shoot Assistant Art Director for b2b marketing campaign
Results: – Brand development of Bluefield hosting and broadband service for global use

· Shell young entrepreneur of the year award for 360flip ltd business plan
Results: – My Prince’s Trust supported business reached the Greater London regional finals 2003

· Channel 4 TV show e-millionaire screening website design for client Hair2Hair
Results: – Hair2Hair achieved 2nd place in the final of the TV show on a public vote

· Channel 5 and Thunderbirds website concept work for London based digital agency
Results: – Winning and retaining Thunderbirds and Channel 5 as clients for Wax New Media

Employment History

Digital Creative, Ben Slawson (11/2009 – Present) Website:- www.benslawson.com

· Creative Direction and delivery of client projects within Fashion/Music/Financial and Lifestyle sectors.
· WordPress website design and development focusing on CSS/PHP site customisation and feature development.
· Flash content creation and support for healthcare advertising agency and luxury fashion brands.
· User Experience, Feature Analysis and Information Architecture website consultancy workshops.

Results: – WordPress websites created, Flash sites supported, Workshops delivered

Experience Gained
· User-centered design, website feature development, CSS/XML, WordPress site customisation

Creative Director, Vision with Technology (5/2007 – 9/2009) Website:- www.visionwt.com

· Creative Direction of client projects within Design/Technology/Investment/Publishing markets.
· Managing strategic direction/supporting BA/design/development, budgets and delivery of projects.
· Motivating design and development teams in creating inspired web 2.0 web/rich media deliverables.
· Developing Marketing/Advertising/PR awareness for new business development.

Art Director, Vision with Technology (2/2006 – 5/2007) Website:- www.visionwt.com

· Art Directing client projects within Technology/Investment/Publishing and Charity markets.
· Working with Creative Director and development team to deliver brand/web/print client deliverables.
· Developing Marketing/Advertising/PR awareness for new business development.
· Client project management via Skype and Project web messaging systems.

Results: – Re-branded agency, Created internal/external brand focus, delivered client projects

Experience Gained
· Art direction, brand development, digital print, project web, eZ publish CMS, Sugar CRM

Trends Graphic Designer, EMAP/WGSN (1/2005 – 1/2006) Website:- www.wgsn.com

· Trends/Think Tank directory redesigns. Designing/developing web template solutions.
· Creating online graphic content for Trends and Think Tank fashion/style directories.
· Working with a team of designers to produce and update content using media surface CMS.
· Communicating with editorial staff day-to-day to update directories and complete website redesigns.

Results: – Content stucture/style refined, directory redesigns implemented, editors supported

Experience Gained
· Media surface CMS, HTML, CSS, Fireworks MX, editorial, end user, production management

Design Consultant (1/2002 – 9/2004) Website:- www.benslawson.com

· Management of extreme sports community website - www.360flip.com
· LEGO UK Integration and restructuring of web content - www.lego.com
· New Brand Vision website graphics and marketing material - www.newbrandvision.com
· Flash website and marketing material for music/video agency - www.highrisemedia.com

Results: – Improved usability, e-commerce sales and brand awareness for clients

Experience Gained
· Business and project management skills, sales, brand building, accounting, art direction

Senior Design Associate, LB Icon (Ion Global) (8/2000 – 11/2001) Website:- www.ionglobal.com

· Cable and Wireless and NatWest Bank brand work
· NHS+, Regus and Kirsch Furnishings pitch work
· Third space TV streaming media and CD-ROM development

Results: – Brand guidelines developed, clients retained, CD-ROM’s developed/delivered

Experience Gained
· Brand development, strategic awareness, managing clients, team building

Digital Designer, Wax New Media (5/1998 – 5/2000) Website:- www.wax.co.uk

· Lucozade Tomb Raider web viral campaign
· Agent Provocateur, First Sport and Blacks UK website development
· Lee Jeans flash e-card development
· Channel 5, Thunderbirds and Ribena pitch work

Results: – Increased digital brand awareness, client work wins for agency, agency growth

Experience Gained
· FMCG knowledge, web optimisation, flash design, interface design, graphic design

Qualifications

BA Design Studies Degree (1995 –1998) London Guildhall University
· (Inc) Coca-Cola, Boots and The Conran Shop industry pitches as part of a commercially focused design, marketing, business and advertising degree.

National Diploma Graphic Design (1993-95) Loughborough College of Art and Design
· Graphic design course focusing on design for print and brand communication

Interests (inc)

Art, Design, Technology, Music, Films, Video Games, Snowboarding

Contact

· T: 07811 55 87 35 · E: ben@benslawson.com

References available on request