Overview
Technology is evolving with the promise of making life easier, but at an increasing debt of complexity. This is where a good Designer steps in. I believe a successful Designer is a hybrid – a creative and a technological person. It’s a challenging role that requires experience, knowledge and interpersonal skills that I have acquired throughout my career as a creative agency co-founder and freelance digital consultant.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Visual Arts Graphic Design & Multimedia
University of Ballarat – 2009
Advanced Diploma Graphic Design
University of Ballarat – 2007
Certificate III in Multimedia
Ballarat Secondary College – 2005
Key Skills
▎Generalist
▎Design: Graphic, Web, UI, UX and Motion
▎Front-End Developer
▎Web Master (LAMP)
▎Bridge the designer/developer gap
▎Intuitive listener and empathic
▎Articulate communicator
▎Team player and autonomous
▎Clean and optimised code
▎Quickly adapt skillset to new technologies
▎Design & Content Strategy
▎Client Relationship Management
Technical Skills
▎Client-side: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
▎Version Control: Git, Github, Bitbucket
▎SEO: Google Analytics, Tag Manager
▎Design: Web, UI, UX, Motion and Graphic
▎CSS Preprocessors: Tailwind, Sass
▎Server-side: PHP, Node
▎Database: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Firebase
▎API integration
Platform Experience
Over the years I have worked with a vast array of tools to help build solutions, below are a list of the ones I could confidently say I became proficient in. Today I like to narrow my focus on two key platforms.
Present: WordPress, Shopify
Past: Prestashop, Magento, Ghost, Jekyll, Netlify CMS, Hugo, Magento, Prestashop, OpenCart, Moodle, phpBB, ownCloud
Software
▎Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Animate
▎Other: Visual Studio Code, Figma, MAMP, Local
Timeline
2022 – Current / We Are Coast – Lead Front-End Designer/Developer
I am leading the charge at We Are Coast for all things web. We focus on bespoke WordPress websites and beautiful Shopify Stores.
I design, build, maintain and manage web projects from start to finish. I supervise while also being the key contributor.
2020 – 2021 / Solos – Dip-Tech Specialist
I took ownership of the Digital Printing department for SOLOS Glass. The digital ceramic printer is the largest in the southern hemisphere. I was tasked with learning how the machine worked and to bring it into production.
I supervised the production operations, while liaising with maintenance employees and machinery suppliers.
I produced the diagrams, mock-ups and artwork for clients and production while collaborating with Marketing and Sales Teams.
2018 – 2020 / Good job, John – Web Consultant, Graphic Designer
I’ve lived abroad as a digital nomad in Europe and SouthEast Asia for the past two years. Working remotely and autonomously required extra organisation and care. Clients in different timezones (Australia and the USA) required concise and accurate written communications. Despite the distance I was able to establish and nurture strong client relationships and produce creative and cutting edge solutions.
WordPress:
▎Build lightweight, mobile-first, responsive themes from scratch.
▎Customise admin to create a tailored interface experience for client requirements.
▎Apply my in-depth understanding of the WordPress ecosystem.
▎Incorporate performance optimisations and techniques.
▎Dynamic and detail-oriented with a knack for conceptualising and delivering elegant, user-friendly solutions effectively and efficiently.
Shopify:
▎Maintain client’s commerce sites.
▎Build extra functionality into stores.
Consulting:
▎Strategically uncover and solve client problems.
▎Develop branding, marketing and SEO strategies.
▎Create wireframes and mock-ups using figma and artwork using photoshop and illustrator.
▎Work remotely and autonomously.
2017 – 18 / Sketch & Etch – CNC Machinist
I joined the Sketch & Etch team in a utility role. They were a quickly growing business experiencing growing pains. I began in the workshop producing and constructing products, utilising many skills as an all round handyman. I moved onto developing packaging solutions for their more delicate products and international shipping. I streamlined and improved procedures to provide a better and more efficient working environment. I eventually took on the responsibility for running and managing the CNC machines. After my many contributions, in 2018 Sketch and Etch was the Winner of Geelong’s Emerging Business of the Year Award.
▎Understand geometric dimensioning and material tolerances.
▎Program, operate and maintain multiple Laser & Router CNC machines.
▎Prepare and edit design files.
▎In depth systems and structural problem solving.
2016 – Traveled / Studied – Waurn Ponds University – Mechatronic Engineering (Programming)
▎Traveled South America.
▎Returned to University as a mature student – renewing my passion for programming.
2010 – 15 / In10tion Creative Agency – Co-Founder / Developer / Designer
Young and daring I co-founded In10tion as a graduate, taking on the role of technical lead. Supported by my mentor and business partner, I rose to the many challenges of starting a small business. I had to learn vast amounts of information very quickly, develop interpersonal skills with clients and produce content for web, mobile, email, social media and print.
A notable achievement occurred when I was responsible for building a side business – an education portal for students to study for their building licence. The business rapidly gained popularity, students and income. Within a year the project was built and sold for excellent return on investment.
Design:
▎Create artwork for web, branding, print, digital and fashion.
▎Conduct client based research for marketing and development.
Admin:
▎Setup, migrate and maintain web and email hosting.
▎Manage a cPanel Wholesale account with 100+ accounts.
Development:
▎HTML/CSS/Jquery websites from flat designs.
▎Build WordPress websites and Woocommerce stores from scratch and templates.
▎Develop excellent knowledge of available WordPress plugins.
▎Build HTML emails.
▎Develop a real estate platform in a WordPress theme to manage client relations and property listings. It supported bulk transactional HTML email campaigns. Integrated with Mandrill by Mailchimp. The process auto filled email templates with content. Property listings could be saved to PDF from templates.
Managerial:
▎Deliver digital marketing strategies and solutions that support business goals.
▎Supervise a graphic designer, junior front-end developer and manage two remote developers.
▎Quoting, record keeping and billing to clients.
▎Inhouse and outsourced SEO services.
Interests
Spend as much time outside, regularly surfing, running, mountain biking. When the weather doesn’t permit I’ll be inside reading, learning, designing, cooking, 3d printing.
Referees
Freely available upon request.