CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

Profile    

I am a creative, commercially focused and bilingual Graphic Designer with extensive international experience. I have acquired knowledge in most aspects of graphic design, gained from many years working freelance and as an employee in various advertising studios and publishing houses within Europe. I have been a life-long lover of Art, Design, Music and Architecture, I have been involved in the Creative Industries for most of my life.

Experience    

Customer Service Professional, Shell Garage, Seafield, Edinburgh – 08/2018 – Present
Customer service Professional. Shift work, providing quick and efficient service to customers at a very busy Shell service station. Lone worker in control of the petrol station, the jet-washes, etc., and running the retail outlet. Keeping outlet clean and tidy, replenishing stock on shelves and in the fridges, as well as providing the customers with a friendly and efficient service.

Freelance Graphic Designer – 1989 – Present
Freelance Graphic Designer producing and designing an extensive range of graphic solutions for print (including Magazines, Periodicals, Corporate Design Packages, Print Advertising, Packaging, Flyers, Posters, Menus, etc.) for a large variety of clients, including:
    • DERR Mediengesellschaft mbH in Landsberg am Lech, Germany
    • Czakert Werbeagentur in Eresing, Germany
    • Alsitan Naturheilmittel in Greifenberg, Germany
    • W&V Publishing House in Munich, Germany
    • The City Council of Landsberg am Lech, Germany
    • The TeamWorkMedia Publishing House in Fuchstal, Germany
    • SLT Technologies and Excelsior Lockers in New Jersey, USA
    • ARGO Publishing House in Marktoberdorf, Germany
    • Human Potential pty in Sydney, Australia
    • The Soluzione Knowledge Company. Munich, Germany.
    • uLockers Ltd, Kinross, Scotland
    • Circle Connections, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Postal Worker, Deutsche Bundespost, Munich, Germany –1988 – 1993
Postal worker, delivering letters to private and commercial clients around Munich. Sorting mail. Forwarding mail. Delivering and receiving payment for parcels and registered mail. Working within the post office, receiving and sorting post for further delivery. Emptying letterboxes and sorting for further delivery.


Education    
2011 – 2014    Edinburgh College, Granton Campus – HND Graphic Design & Digital Communication
Three year full-time course, covering all aspects of Graphic Design, including designing campaigns, working to briefs, producing graphic solutions for various campaigns, producing presentation graphics for each campaign, working solo, working in teams, working on real-life briefs for charities in Scotland.
Qualifications    Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design – Graduated June 2014 with SCQF Level 8
                          National Certificate in Art & Design – Graduated June 2012 with SCQF Level 6

2004    DEKRA Training school, Marktoberdorf, Germany – Basic Business Studies
Two month part-time course covering basic Marketing skills and computer skills
Qualifications    DEKRA Certifikat – August 2004

1994 – 1995    Wildner Training School, Munich, Germany. – Computer Graphics & Desktop Publishing
Six month full-time course, including an introduction to the DOS operating system, the Windows platform, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Pagemaker and Corel Draw. Introduction to the Apple Mac operating system, Aldus Freehand, Adobe Dimensions, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Kai’s Power Tools and Quark Xpress.
Qualifications    Wildner Certificate – Note 1.2 – June 1995

1976 – 1978    Forrester High School, Edinburgh
Full-time student at Forrester High School..
Qualifications    “O” Levels in English, Art & Design, Maths and Metalwork

General skills    

• Computer literate, especially on the Apple MacIntosh platform
• Comprehensive knowledge of Desktop Publishing and the European Printing Standards.
• Many years experience in Publishing Houses and Advertising Studios producing periodicals, print advertising, packaging, event-flyers, posters, etc.
• Many years experience of freelancing within the Graphics Sector
• Proven track record of business development and client relationship management.

Software skills

Adobe Creative Suite software (up to and including CS6) Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat and Bridge. Apple iWork, QuarkXPress, CorelDraw, MS-Office. Dreamweaver, Flash, Firefox, Safari, etc., mostly (but not specifically) using the Apple Macintosh platform.

Language skills

Bilingual in English and German, plus basic knowledge of other European languages, including French, Turkish, etc.

Driving Licence:    

Full, clean driving licence with extensive driving experience in mainland Europe.