Professional Experience

CONTRACT & FREELANCE 2008-2010
• Sept 08–present
SENIOR DESIGNER — St Pauls Publications

• Jan 2009
CONSULTANT — American Academy of Financial Management, DUBAI

• Jan–Aug 2008
DESIGN STUDIO MANAGER — Gopher Graphics

STUDIO MANAGER/SENIOR DESIGNER — Network Printing Studios
2004–Nov 2007
Recruited to develop and manage internal art studio, incorporating pre-press and print quality control. Overseeing: Design (Branding/Corporate Identity, Publishing and Advertising); Design Management (liaising with clients, publishers, authors, editors, designers, advertisers, paper suppliers, printers, and finishing); Production (monitoring traffic flow, timelines, budget constraints, quality control and delivery).

Objective
• Create an art department that would deliver work of the highest integrity
• Develop budgets and monitor cost and revenue
• Create timelines, and work successfully to tight deadlines
• Anticipate problems and provide effective resolution quickly
• Provide direction and focus: to team and to clients
• Foster relationships and maintain loyalty with staff, clients and suppliers
• Encourage a willingness to accept ownership of a project and follow through with accountability and resolution when challenges arise
• Build a reputation for excellence through solutions-driven attitude to design, clear communication, and impeccable attention to detail

Outcome
Network Printing Studios had a loyal client-base which quickly went from strength to strength, and has continued to grow. Network developed a reputation for efficient, well-designed print media and strict quality control that set it apart from other print houses. The pre-press division within the art department was encouraged to use initiative and provide feedback to Creative studios and designers and offered advice on correcting issues that can occur, such as – typographical errors; overprint / knockout issues; and process, spot and / or fifth colour print. This policy meant repeat and loyal custom in a highly competitive market.

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR — Reed Elsevier
2003–2004
Recruited to troubleshoot and re-structure Online and Display-Classified Ad Production department.

Objective
• Analyse and solve problems within the department – develop protocols
• Deal with hostile flow-on departments (sales and creative)
• Teach and maintain effective communication, production and sales skills
• Evaluate and train staff to be flexible, solutions-driven and quick thinking
• Build and maintain new relationships with departments, management, clients

Outcome
Within months of commencement, ‘Online and Display’ was re-designed and running effectively with the recruitment of a senior position – to mentor and monitor workflow – and the creation of junior roles with staff tailored to fit the category requirement – creative and personable (advertising/sales); analytical and structured (online/traffic). By the time I moved on, there was: results, respect, and a smooth-running office that met its objectives in a concise and timely manner.

PRINT MEDIA DESIGN — Brevier Design
1989–2005 Founder and Owner, Design and Production Company
Book Design
Hard cover coffee-table books, histories, biographies, children’s books and educational volumes – all publications requiring different treatments, design styles and typography.
• Harper Collins – Assorted titles
• Harper Collins Sports – Steve Waugh Diaries Series, Rugby League Annual Series
• Halstead Press – Assorted titles – Full concept, design & production
Magazine Design
Minimum 188 four-colour pages per month, press-ready, each with its own distinctive in-house style and format.
• South Pacific Science Press – Position Magazine, GIS User, Measure & Map
• FPC Power Magazines – Stamp News, Coin Review
• LexusNexus (Reed Elsevier) – Lawyers Weekly, Human Resources Magazine

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION — Federal Publishing Company (FPC)
1986–1989 Production coordinator
Directly responsible for production of eight monthly titles running consecutively. Coordinating the equivalent of a four-colour magazine per week, as well as coordinating a fortnightly newspaper.

TYPOGRAPHY & GRAPHIC DESIGN:
High Distinction – School of Graphic Arts, Tighes Hill
TRADE: 4-year composition apprenticeship for Macleay Argus newspaper which produced six titles per week under very tight deadlines.

Skill sets
MANAGEMENT
• Staff time management
• Project management
• Client liaison
• Determining, and working to, a specific budget
• Solutions-focused approach to design and production
• Excellent people skills and communication
• Adaptability, speed and precision, attention to detail

PROGRAMS
• InDesign CS3
• Photoshop CS3
• Illustrator CS3
• Acrobat Professional
• Quark Express 6.5
• Dreamweaver CS2
• Suitcase (Font management)
• Microsoft Office suite