Experience

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  Various

  Sept 1995 - Sept 2002

  Freelance artist and designer

  I graduated in 1992 with a BA Hons degree in Fine Art - painting and printmaking from Sheffield City Polytechnic. Moving back to what was the heart of the UK art scene in the east end of London I worked with a Hampstead independent gallerist, Janus Avivson, who promoted and sold my artwork at European art fairs. I also supported the gallery with promotional and catalogue design for work at the Frankfurt book fair using the skills I developed on buying and training myself on the key DTP software with a (very early) Apple Mac.From 1995 to ‘98 I worked as a studio designer for Exposure Marketing creating mostly rock and pop paper products, calendars and posters etc. As a small family business it was a great grounding in all aspects of print publishing having direct contact with the printers as well as accelerating my DTP skills in a fast paced environment.From 1998 to ‘01/02 I worked as a freelance designer for Verkerke Reproductions based in the Netherlands. Working directly for the Company Director in his London studio and offices in the Netherlands I designed and developed both license properties Kim Anderson and Rosina Wachtmeister as well as the art card ranges for Hallmark Cards international for the UK, NL and other territories. Show less

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  Hallmark london creative studio

  Oct 2002 - Dec 2005

  Studio manager

  Responsible for driving innovation and product development through selective recruitment and mentoring of fresh talent. Judge on Hallmark board for 5 consecutive years at Business Design Centre’s New Designers Show, experience of managing past winners with skills across illustration, design and multimedia. Built freelance roster of professional illustration and design in London to service Hallmark companies. Initiated placement and college links to raise London profile. Maintained strong link to our sister satellite studio in Bath providing and initiating fresh product solutions with illustration team.Studio managed 2 major office refurbishments within budget to accommodate new staff and changing requirements.Staged and appeared in Hallmark’s participation in Talkback Thames 07/08 production of The Apprentice, liaising with producer to guarantee success of ‘The Greeting Card Challenge’. Show less

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  Hallmark cards plc

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2010

  Art director

  Provided all sectors of business with compelling and original design solutions for personal expressions product. Made a significant impact with product solutions for both the Hallmark model line and all of our ‘Own Brand’ clients. My design direction assisted Hallmark in negotiating strong reputations with major licensors notably Disney and Warner, I also built enduring signature styles for Hallmark’s cute, contemporary and traditional properties.From April 2009 my direct management responsibilities at Bingley Road transferred to the in-house illustrators. My key objectives were to empower the members of the illustration team with digital skill sets, drive fresh commercial strategies for illustration and promote the studio output as an asset internally here and in the US.From July 2008 to Mar 2009 I worked with our Editorial, Marketing and IT team building Hallmark’s online card folio, managing my London team we created original bespoke design strategies to suit customisable print-on-demand cards. Set styles for every seasonal line as well as all licensed properties inc. Disney, Haynes, Chorion. As well as being well-received by our US operation my fresh approach was influential in the direction of their UK offline print folio.Train and mentored across a team of over 100 creative staff at head office from junior to director level on typography and graphic design for all aspects of commercial publishing. I’ve created literature and training programmes to build an in-house capability. I also supported creative personnel with training approaches for advanced skill development with Adobe Creative Suite applications. Show less

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  Tigerprint

  Feb 2010 - Mar 2015

  Studio manager - london studio

  Tigerprint supply and distribute all gift, greetings and the instore Christmas offer to M&S. As a sole supplier the challenge is to continually innovate across all seasonal ranges offering a compelling product that ties into core consumer needs whilst growing sales through variety of solutions. Core successes and responsiblities I have achieved in my role for Tigerprint were:Managed successful relocation, refit, design to larger site in my first year.Grew the creative resource from 8 to 14 in-house staff and a core team of 20 freelance personnel. Delivered full course of training and workshop programs to develop and enhance core skills throughout growth. My revision and new approach to the biannual appraisal process through portfolio development and creative brief setting was adopted successfully by other Hallmark companies and at quality audit was noted as exceptional.Managed a successful program of college links, placement and projects to drive and attract fresh talent to the studio, judged at our at Tigerprint annual award program for graduates at New Designers as well as delivering talks at the event.Consistently drove the team to deliver outstanding product creative and strategic solutions for the Tigerprint business.Notable success initiating concepts for six core in-house plush and stationery opportunities to M&S at January review.Created a core ‘cute’ range, I ensure delivery of another established core brand also contributed a number of personal designs which were best-selling products. Show less

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  Woodmansterne publications ltd

  Mar 2015 - now

  Responsible for innovation, quality, refreshment and newness across all business areas - The Proper Mail Company, Woodmansterne, Cardmix and Caltime by Woodmansterne. Create and deliver product for all of Woodmansterne Publications private label interests as well as maintain and evolve the publishing programme for Cardmix.

  • Creative Director

    Nov 2016 - now

  • Creative Director - Private Label Studio

    Mar 2015 - Nov 2016