Scroll down to view my CV and a breakdown of my software knowledge.
I’m originally from Daliburgh, on the Isle of South Uist in Scotland. I graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 2012 with a Master of Design in Animation and a Bachelor of Arts in Art & Design. Prior to this I studied for a Higher National Diploma in Visual Communication. This is my design portfolio website and it showcases a few examples of my work in design for print and screen.
CV
- Adobe Creative Cloud – (Very high competency.)
I’m well versed in using programs such as Adobe InDesign when composing layouts for print and when designs utilise a combination of graphics and typography. I’ve created print-ready page designs in a wide variety of formats for multiple clients using this software.
I use Adobe Photoshop on a daily basis to edit and create graphics, Gifs and photographs.
My go to program for editing photographs is Adobe Lightroom. I also use it when creating in HDR and as part of my design process in 360° and VR environment design. I also frequently use it to write and embed meta tag information into files for digital publication.
I begin most projects by creating a vector file(s) using Adobe Illustrator. This allows me to design scalable, optimised graphics for any design requirement. I also export paths from Adobe Illustrator into Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects to create assets for motion graphics.
I use Adobe Premiere Pro in my editing and post production process for time-based media such as animation and video.
I use Adobe After Effects (including plug-ins such as Red Giant suite, Trapcode suite, Plexus, Element 3D etc.) very frequently to create and post produce time-based assets. I also often use this program, together with Avid Pro Tools and Adobe Audition to create sound treatments for animated assets.
When designing and editing pdf files, I’ll use Adobe Acrobat to optimize and tag, introduce interactive functionality, to author and give permissions and to publish documents.
- Autodesk Maya – (High competency.)
A 3D design program I use very regularly to create still and animated 3D assets and also to create OBJ sequences for use in Adobe After Effects.
- Microsoft Office – (High competency.)
I have used Microsoft Excel in several roles, including to catalogue accessioned museum pieces, naming conventions, archive documents and photographic library references for the Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry and in project managing freelance work. I also used Excel on a daily basis during my time at CFH where I would utilise/manage and update complicated (formulae-based) protected documents adhering to GDPR.
I’m a proficient, daily user of Microsoft Word.
I’m experienced in using Microsoft PowerPoint to create slide presentations.
I have a great working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, having used it on a daily basis for email correspondence with internal and external stakeholders in several roles.
I’ve used Microsoft SharePoint to liaise with colleagues and organise workloads and I have an understanding of its functionality.
- Microsoft Teams/Zoom – (High competency.)
Again, I have used both of these platforms for daily meetings with colleagues and external clients, as well as to conduct and receive training. I’m veery well versed in how to use these programs.
- Client Databases – (High competency.)
I have managed, updated and created complicated databases in several previous roles and for various purposes. One example is my work in creating and developing a database-driven 14,000-page website and learning resource for the Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry. I worked closely with the museum director and Level Up web development agency to create a valuable resource for the community. I’ve also used and updated client databases within Royal Mail, CFH and AVHT where I also trained volunteers (including people with special needs) in how to update and contribute to the database.
- WordPress CMS – (High competency.)
I have a very solid understanding of using WordPress and have used it to design multiple responsive and optimised websites and blogs for various projects, including for my own website. I also use WordPress servers to host 360° virtual educational tours and interactive VR environments for various clients.
- Wagtail CMS – (High competency.)
I created large sections of the Scottish Shale website and learning resource using the Wagtail content management system and used it as my primary web design tool for over 2 years. I find that many of the design procedures used in Wagtail are transferable to other content management systems. I trained colleagues to use it under moderation. I’ve used Wagtail for page composition and functionality for hundreds of challenging page designs – as well as to edit and maintain databases.
- Topaz Labs Ai – (High competency.)
I use this software to increase picture quality in still imagery and video, and to upscale footage. It’s also very useful for optimizing graphic content for large format print.
- PTGUI/3DVista – (High competency.)
I use these programs to create immersive HDRi environments for motion graphics and 360° virtual environments/VR. I also use this for creating bracketed exposures when filming in environments with challenging lighting.
- Filezilla/– (Intermediate competency.)
I use software such as Filezilla to test, publish and transfer files to servers online, utilising safe file transfer protocol (SFTP).
- Canva – (High competency.)
I usually turn to the Adobe Creative Suite rather than Canva for most projects, as I see it as a superior software. Having said this, I have a good understanding of Canva and often turn to this software if timescales are tight and one of its many templates may be a suitable solution (especially for social media designs).
- OBS Studio – (High competency.)
This is something I’ve turned my attention to in the past year. I like to keep up with new advances in design and communications and have a great understanding of how to best utilise this streaming platform to engage with audiences. I also have experience in tailoring assets for this platform (stingers, idents, audio blasts/sound effects etc) as well as building complex hardware set-ups/studios (PC set-up, macro keys, audio set-up, transitions, multi-cam arrangements, lighting, linking social media/steaming platforms to the software etc).
