Andrew Difford

Experience

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  ITalk Cellular

  Aug 2001 - Aug 2003

  Graphic Designer

  1. Concept and graphic design for print campaigns2. Branding3. Internal agency in corporate head office4. Liased with printers and suppliers5. DTP repro work and printing6. Assist Creative Director7. Print and Online marketing and advertising

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  Printinco Design & Print (Oxford UK)

  May 2006 - Feb 2009

  Graphic Designer

  1. Graphic design for print2. Branding concept and execution3. Client facing4. Account management and design of hotel chain & UK infrastructure support service provider (AMEY)5. Managed Oxford branch6. DTP repro work and printing of litho, large format and digital mediums

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  Modern Museum

  May 2008 - May 2010

  Graphic Designer

  https://www.modernmuseum.co.za : Branding, Strategy, Digital Advertising and digital retail advertising agency.1. Assistant to art director and creative director2. Digital, advertising, print, in-store campaigns3. Presentation design, DTP, repro4. Collaborate with external suppliers and vendors5. Brainstorm with copywriting team6. Present work to clients with creative director and account executives7. Hand-dawn typography for campaigns and books

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  DIFFDESIGN (Freelance Graphic Design)

  Feb 2009 - Apr 2009

  Freelance Graphic Designer

  https://diffdesign.co.za : Personal Freelance Business1. Concept, storyboarding, design style and illustration, manage animators for WILDAID infographic videos: https://earthtouch.tv2. Succeeded in creative execution of Fast Track creative delivery interactive presentstation securing Earth Touch (UK) a permanent placement on prominent global platforms such as Netflix and Hulu: https://earthtouch.tv

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  Wisdom & Youth Advertising and Design

  Jul 2010 - Jun 2012

  Middle weight Graphic Designer

  https://wisdomandyouth.co.za : Founded in 2009, Wisdom and Youth is a community of curious minds that live to conceptualise, collaborate and create awesome ideas for brands.1. Key accounts: Mr Price Home & Mr Price Sport2. Digital, print, online advertising, retail window displaysCatalogues and brochures3. Brainstorm with copywriting team, present work to client4. Head of repro for Mr Price Home artwork5. Assistant to art director and creative director6. Art director assistant on photo shoots7. Hand-dawn typography for campaigns and books8. Brand development and identity9. Retouching and image editing from photo shoots Show less

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  Electrik Design Agency

  May 2012 - May 2017

  Co-Founder

  https://www.instagram.com/electrikdesign : Personal advertising agency servicing predominately SME's Education and Hospitality.1. Lead, innovate, disrupt 2. Creative direction, art direction, graphic design3. Manage studio, finances and 8 staff4. Branding concept, roll-out & execution5. Educate, inspire, and mentor staff & interns6. Collaborate with external advertising agencies, suppliers, printers, freelance network7. Brief & project manage art direct photographers, animators, videographers, copywriters, stylists, web developers8. Branding & web development for global, fin-tech, hospitality, and government businesses9. Social media marketing, photography, ideograph, & motion graphics for art direction on international brands10. PWA UI & UX Design, planning, wire frames11. Bespoke eCommerce solutions for brands based in Belgium, US, Australia, South Africa, USA and the UK Show less

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  RCL FOODS

  May 2017 - May 2022

  Creative Director & Art Director

  https://rclfoods.com : South African FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and Milling company, employing over 20,000 people.1. Creative direction, art direction, graphic design for FMGC2. Present concepts and presentations to marketing, HR, internal comms team, brand managers, sales & customer executives for 20 leading South African brands3. Branding concept, roll-out & execution4. Collaborate with external advertising agencies, suppliers, printers, and freelance network5. Brief & project manage art direct photographers, animators, videographers, copywriters, stylists, web developers6. Encourage new technologies and trends to grow 20 brands7. Blue Sky concept design for product development & packaging PWA UI & UX design, planning, wireframes Show less

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  DIFF DESIGN (PTY) LTD

  Jun 2022 - Feb 2023

  Creative Director, troubleshooter & design consultant

  Andrew Difford (Diff) has 21 years of experience providing innovative, engaging online & interactive physical experiences for global consumers and clients.He specialises in creative / art direction, branding, and packaging design from concept to execution. His experience in creative solutions for in-store, outdoor, eCommerce, digital, UI/UX, and print campaigns comprises industries such as retail, interiors, fashion, and hospitality, amongst others.His skill set includes, and is not limited to: UI/UX design, illustration, custom typography, art direction, online and print campaigns, advertising, pop-up stores, strategy, and microsite web development. Show less

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  Avatar Agency Group

  Feb 2023 - Nov 2023

  Senior Art Director / Graphic Designer

  https://avataragency.co.za : Advertising Agency Group creates ideas that impact some of the world’s most recognised brands including ISUZU, KFC, H&M, Tecno, BP, Nivea, Castrol, Nokia and Unilever to disrupt, challenge, and enhance consumer perception and participation.1. Collaborate with creative teams to develop and execute visually compelling concepts for advertising campaigns, striving for simplicity and celebrating ethnicity, educating and empowering juniors.2. Lead brainstorming sessions with video and animation teams, copywriters and creatives to generate innovative ideas and concepts that align with client objectives and strategic pillars ,to ensure a harmonious integration of visuals and messaging in campaigns3. Direct and oversee the visual elements of a campaign, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines, integrating AI generated imagery 4. Storyboard, oversee the production process, coordinating with vendors, photographers, and external agencies for digital campaigns, consumer experiences, web and digital media, brand activations and experiential consumer activations5. Inspire and mentor a team of Graphic designers, illustrators, and juniors6. Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor brands, emerging technologies, and design best practices to keep campaigns engaging, streamlining ways of working, and using automation where possible7. Conceptualise, illustrate and design key visuals for various advertising materials, including print, eCommerce, digital, proactive pitches social media content using strategy, research and design with bold typographywireframe UX and design UI for websites, PWA’s and apps8. Brand development and CI development9. Present and pitch creative concepts and strategy, articulating the rationale behind design choices and addressing feedback Show less

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  Diff Design

  Dec 2023 - Sept 2024

  Senior Creative / Art Director / Designer

  https://diffdesign.co.za : Personal Freelance Business1. Concept, storyboarding, design style, and illustration, manage animators for WILDAID infographic videos: https://earthtouch.tv2. Succeeded in creative execution of Fast Track creative delivery interactive presentation securing Earth Touch (UK) a permanent placement on prominent global platforms such as Netflix and Hulu: https://earthtouch.tv

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  Ideagen

  Sept 2024 - now

  Product Success Manager