Dean Raats

Experience

• 

  SpotOn Liquor Store

  Dec 2003 - Dec 2004

  Store Clerk

  My first job and holiday job.Daily tasks were stock shelving, stocktake, customer service and warehousing.

• 

  MrVideo

  Jan 2004 - Dec 2007

  Store Clerk

  Have you watched Clerks 1 and 2?Daily tasks were, but not limited to opening up and lockup of the shop, cashing up, stocktake, customer service, DVD and CD buffering.

• 

  Piet Retief Country Club

  Dec 2007 - Jan 2009

  Barman Supervisor

  Other than serving people alcoholic beverages and daily cash handling. I was in charge of co-managing the clubhouse and bar area on a shift basis, taking instruction from top management and the board members.Daily tasks were, but not limited to opening up and lockup of the clubhouse, cashing up, bar maintenance, stocktake, customer service, course inspection.

• 

  Mondi Packaging

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  Apprentice

  I learned the ins and outs of pulp and paper production in all departments, starting from the forests to the chipper to cooking and cleaning of pulp to final product. I focused on packaging paper (the brown type) with gsm's going up to 380.

• 

  BraaiBoy

  Mar 2011 - Nov 2013

  Sous Chef

  Assisted in the preparation of foodstuffs and stall setup for functions such as music festivals and corporate events.

• 

  FPD

  Feb 2014 - Jun 2015

  Graphic Design Administrator and DTP Intern

  Illustrated graphic designs in collaboration with the web designer and reported to senior management for quality assurance purposes. Crafted marketing and visual materials for company departments, clients, and sponsors. Fashioned content for monthly newsletter alongside in-house journalist. Participated in projects with civil servants and government officials to compile visual arrangements for various campaigns including TB/DRTB, Gender-Based Violence, and HIV/AIDS. Set up photography and orchestrated designs for company events, such as charity events and conferences including the South African Basic Education conference (2014), 4th TB Conference (2014), and the 7th South African AIDS Conference (2015).• Conceptualised the 2015 SA AIDS Conference in Durban and yielded successful results.• Created logo for first SA National Conference on Violence in 2016.Department of Health: Engineered programs detailing information on national and worldwide healthcare and safety protocols.• Spearheaded additional creative assignments for major clients including Dirasingwe and the Department of Education. Show less

• 

  Styling Genius

  Apr 2014 - Apr 2014

  Freelance Graphic Designer

  Ideasation and design of logo and signage for local hairdresser. With great customer satisfaction and increase of business.

• 

  SquidArt Creative

  Sept 2015 - Sept 2017

  Designer and Print Production Manager

  Fostered robust relationships with clients through open communication and meticulous attention to brief information. Collaborated with the design team to produce optimal products in adherence to client criteria and timeframes. Developed digital files on imposition software prior to print production. Controlled printing procedures through the use of the digital printer and relevant applications (Ricoh Pro C7100 and Fiery Command WorkStation), and undertook binding, lamination, wire-binding, and physical composition responsibilities. Oversaw end-to-end services from production to final delivery of product and collection of outsourced assignments. Assisted in HTML coding for Senior Web Designer, as well as coding of HTML mailers utilising Photoshop and Illustrator files.• Received leadership role in the print workshop in under two years due to effective maintenance of production processes and ensuring final products meet project specifications.• Accelerated turnaround time for largescale project assembly (vehicle insurance booklets, flyers of services offered, and marketing content for internal purposes), achieving printing of 5-15K A5 28pg brochures biweekly for major clients including Liquid Capital and Motor Happy.• Forged and managed relationships with current and prospective suppliers for procurement purposes. Show less

• 

  Naxian Systems

  Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

  Freelance Graphic Designer

  Construct and infograph a visualization of the IoT systems integration with Naxian Systems' own AI with it's security products and services.

• 

  Zephyr Hair Design

  Oct 2017 - Sept 2018

  Freelance Graphic Designer

  Ideation and creation of a new logo and brand look and feel. Development of business card, appointment cards and social media posts. As the owner is the Chair of EOHCB (Employers Organisation for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty) I was also an in-house photographer for the EOHCB Hair, Nail and Makeup artistry Competition held in Durban 2018.

• 

  Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers - South Africa Branch

  Feb 2018 - Jun 2019

  Freelance Web Designer

  Rebuild, redesign, optimize and maintain website using WordPress. Giving the website an on-brand new look and feel, resulting in an increase of new traffic to the Institute's website resulting in an increase ofnew applications for their Maritime educational offerings.

• 

  Brandswell

  Mar 2018 - Sept 2018

  Traffic and Account Manager | Multimedia Designer

  Orchestrated graphic and multimedia design projects and performed copywriting tasks. Engaged with clients and target market by managing Brandswell Pty Ltd's client social media pages as well as the company website. Supervised website traffic and identify strategies to attract more customers online. Coalesced with team members to direct major projects and foster a positive workplace environment. Conducted client case studies after final handoff to strengthen relationship with clients. Assisted with cost analysis and formulating quotes.• Originated social media marketing content for key clients, such as 3M South Africa – Personal Safety Division and Healthcare Division; and The Smile Emporium. • Formulated quotations aimed at securing tenders from City of Tshwane; quotes of approximately R2M each. Show less

• 

  FLOW68

  Nov 2018 - Dec 2022

  Graphic and Web Designer

  Analyse design briefs and project requirements, and orchestrate visual arrangements based on brief criteria. Spearhead web design projects and oversee end-to-end services from conceptualisation to final hand-off. Collaborate with creative directors and copywriters to guarantee final product meets customer needs. Compile proposals and prototypes for clients and team members to ensure customer service excellence. Generate logos, brochures, signage, and other graphic artworks using multimedia and build and maintain websites using HTML and WordPress. Observe consumer trends and customer feedback in order to develop on-brand products aligned to target audience.• Designed more than 42 WordPress websites in three and a half years for major customers such as Mondi Zimele, Care at Home Group, Peakers Operations, Countryline Horticulture, Wakene Beach Estate, and Hluhluwe Country Cottages.• Completed website projects which resulted in excellent customer service ratings.• Catapulted online traffic for redesigned websites.• Prepared on-brand stationary from existing IPs by localizing business cards, long service certificates, flyers, signage and booklets for clients such as MAHLE, engie, uvex and Mondi. Show less

• 

  Shine DBN

  Nov 2018 - Jul 2022

  Graphic and Web Design

  Formulated visually appealing concepts in collaboration with customers. Created sample products, designs, and presentations for client review. Evaluated current website designs and implemented improvements to enhance efficacy. Conducted market research to help shape products that adhere to current trends. Initiated design projects and collaborated with the team during production.• Launched visually appealing websites for important clients including Shave and Gibson, SupaRoof, Waxy O’Connors, and Safal Steel.• Cultivated marketing materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, posters, and brochures, for Toyota, Transnet Pipelines, and SpillTech. Show less

• 

  Come Alive

  Jan 2023 - now

  Web Developer/Designer & Digital Media Management

  Website Design & Development Specialist with a strong focus on Digital Media involves overseeing related production and support functions, including digital marketing services such as social media management, bulk email campaigns, general web graphic design, and overall support. In this role will be responsible for creating and maintaining visually appealing and user-friendly websites using tools like Divi, CSS, and HTML. Additionally, collaborate with the team and assist with general tasks as needed, leveraging their existing web development, social media, and graphic design skills. A key aspect of this position is the ability to work well within a team and contribute to the overall success of the department. Show less