I am 26 and I've been living in Helsinki for a year, working as a CMD designer for Nokia involved in some amazing projects. I love nothing more than skiing, sketching, checking out design blogs, reading any book I can get my hands on, and soaking up Helsinki's atmosphere. In 2009 I indulged in my passion for cultural exposure by traveling for 7 months. I now have a list of at least 20 more countries that I am going to visit before I die...
Experience.
March 2011 - Current
Senior Colour and Materials Designer, Nokia (Finland)
March 2010 - February 2011
Colour and Materials Designer, Nokia (Finland)
As one of the Colour and Material Designers in the Mobile Computers (N-Series) team, I am involved in a number of exciting ongoing projects. Key to the role is the design and implementation of colours, materials and finishes for specific high-end 2011 and 2012 devices. This requires regular interaction with the lead onsite ID and remote program teams, including product managers, material specialists and mechanics. Working with multiple suppliers to implement innovative material solutions requires both excellent communication and organisational skills, and I was quick to realise the need for and develop the ability to network and build strong working relationships both within the company and with suppliers.
I have also been involved in concepting for 2012 devices, working with CMD colleagues across product categories to design and implement a coherent Nokia-wide CMD strategy.
I am passionate about bringing relevant consumer insights to the team and have been a key member in driving in-depth, human scale research into the high-end mobile consumer. This has involved building knowledge from a wide range of sources, including other internal teams, and bringing a fresh perspective to a rapidly evolving market. Great communication has proved essential in passing on these insights to other areas of the organisation.
A growing part of my role focuses on material innovation. I am increasingly responsible for driving design projects into potential innovative material technologies for the high-end portfolio, working with new and existing suppliers as well as our internal design team.
October 2004 - March 2010
Freelance Designer (UK)
Working as a freelance design was an incredibly valuable experience and one that continues to enrich my working process. Projects spanned product, graphics and web, with a focus on print-based and web-based graphics. As a result I have developed great layout skills, an exceptional eye for detail and have established myself as an Illustrator and Photoshop whiz.
As a freelance designer, I developed many skills beyond design. Conducting myself in a professional manner, whether on the phone, via email, or in person, was key to building up good client relationships, and delivering work on time was essential in maintaining these. I understood early on that in order for clients to have confidence in me, it was essential that I presented well thought out concepts and ideas with confident conviction and clear communication.
Projects that I am proud of being involved in include: the N-Pro range of hockey sticks for Slazenger; and the Spa White campaign for Dental Health Spa, where, working as part of Them. collective, the full campaign was build from scratch, including arranging and conducting the photo shoot for the campaign imagery.
April 2007 - September 2007
Junior Designer, Dunlop Slazenger (UK)
From a three-month internship, to a six-month full-time working role and subsequent freelance projects, my time at Dunlop Slazenger was an exciting insight into the sports product industry.
Working directly with product managers, I was part of a small design team responsible for tennis, badminton, squash, hockey and cricket product, packaging and brochures. Utilising sports industry insights gained from the rest of the team, a key part of the role involved colour, material, finish and graphic decal design for upcoming product ranges. Working with complex three-dimensional forms pushed and expanded my ability to visualise the final product appearance, utilising two-dimensional visualisation and physical mock-ups to test ideas and concepts.
Whilst at Dunlop Slazenger I was responsible for the design of the 2008 Dunlop Roland Garros tennis racket range (adult and junior), and was involved in projects such as the new packaging design for the Slazenger Wimbledon ball and Slazenger QuadFlex racket range (tennis, squash and badminton).
August 2006 - February 2007
Junior Design Engineer, Abbott International (UK)
During my time at the retail furniture manufacturer, I developed advance modeling skills in Solidworks, and helped to establish Solidworks as the new standard design and development package within the company. This included gaining a certificate in PDM works, a file management program for Solidworks.
Key to the role was the ability to produce clear and accurate technical drawings for use both in the in-house factory and by external suppliers. Interaction with the in-house manufacturing team refined this skill, and I left with the ability to produce industry-standard drawings of a very high level.
Over the course of the role I also developed a good understanding of the practicalities and limitations of production in both wood and steel.
March 2001 - September 2004
Web Designer (Part time), Web Union (UK)
Designing, implementing and maintaining websites for small and medium sizes businesses, I developed solid skills in html and css and tuned my passion for design into a commercial awareness that has been a key driver in all of my subsequent roles.
education.
2008
Nottingham Trent University: Product Design BA (Hons)
First Class Honours
Taking part in all aspects of University life, including extra-curricula commitments such as roles in the Snowsports and Trampoline Club Committees, I graduated with a First Class Honours in 2008. My final project was selected as a top-5 finalist for the national Technical Textiles competition, run by the Industrial Trust. This projects was also the second highest scoring project of the course in my graduating year.
2004
Falmouth College of Art and Design: Art & Design Foundation
Distinction
Providing me with a solid, cross-discipline grounding in Art and Design, I continue to utilise the skills I gained on this course today. I passed the course with Distinction.
2003
Collyers Sixth Form College, Horsham: A-Levels
Product Design (A); Graphic Design (A); Fine Art (A); Mathematics (A)
2001
The Ashcombe School, Dorking: GCSE's
11 (A* - B)
Awards.
2008
Industrial Trust Technical Textiles Competition
Top five finalist
2008
Core-77 One Hour Design Challenge (Voting Booth)
Second place
Design skills
- Consumer research: Experienced in providing in-depth consumer insights to aid and justify product development
- Ideation: Clear communication through sketchwork; exceptional problem solver; innovative, but logical approach
- Presentation: Well-honed document layout skills; clear and confident verbal communicator
- Teamwork: Ability to work with small and large teams across a range of disciplines
- Trend and demographic-based research: Finger-on-the-pulse approach to market awareness; ability to translate consumer insights into product concepts
Software
- 3D modeling and rendering: SolidWorks; Showcase; 3DStudioMax (for rendering); Bunkspeed Shot; KeyShot
- Graphic and web: Photoshop; Illustrator; InDesign; Dreamweaver
- Digital sketching: SketchBook Pro
- General: Microsoft Office
and finally...
Design has become integrated into every aspect of my life, from actively participating in online design discussions, to getting over-excited by that new product launch, to selecting a new piece of furniture for my home, but there are a few things that I occasionally become side-tracked by...
Skiing
As an avid skier, I take any opportunity I can to take to the slopes. Whilst at university I sat on the Snowsports Club Committee as both Secretary and Treasurer and competed as part of both the race and freestyle teams. I have yet to find anything more thrilling that throwing myself off of the top of a twenty foot kicker!
Travel
A seven-month stint traveling the world in 2009 has only whetted my appetite to see more. From Japan, to New Zealand and Cambodia, my travels provided me with a cultural insight into people and their lives that is proving invaluable in my appreciation of design requirements when developing products for specific regions and cultures.
Keeping active
From cycling the 16km round trip every day to work (when there is no snow on the ground), to running in the evenings, to going to the gym, I love to keep active and find it a fantastic way of driving out work stress and clearing my mind for another day of creativity. I have three active targets that I aim to indulge in soon: 1. Take part in a triathlon; 2. Sail a Tall Ship; 3. Complete the Three Peaks challenge.
featured projects.
