Curriculum Vitae: Mike Smith
Graphic Designer & Front End Developer
- hello@mikesmithdesign.co.uk
- +44 (0)7539 320308
- Egham, Surrey
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Quick Links
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Contact Info
Email hello@mikesmithdesign.co.uk Telephone +44 (0)7539 320308 Location Egham, Surrey -
References
Julian Davies
Managing Director
Sears Davies
4th Floor, 57a Great Suffolk Street
+44 (0)20 7633 0939 julian@searsdavies.com
London SE1 0BB
Personal Profile
I am a self driven and committed graphic designer with years of experience in a number of different design fields, both as a freelancer and at agency level. I graduated Arts University Bournemouth in July 2015 with a First-class honours degree in Graphic Design. I am currently working as a freelance designer having just left an agency role of 3 years with Sears Davies. My primary strengths are in web design and development but I also have extensive experience in branding and identity, editorial design, art direction, typography, and illustration.
Outside of work I’m a Spurs fan, a bit of a foodie and a lover of tattoo art. I have a keen interest in music, having played in bands from a young age. I now DJ and produce music as well designing t-shirts, poster prints and wall art.
Freelance Roles
Mike Smith Design
Graphic Designer & Developer
Jul 2012 - Present
Various, UK
Throughout university & my professional career I have managed my own freelance design business. I have maintained well over 100 client relationships & developed working partnerships with organisations such as Panasonic and Bournemouth University. My early expertise was in branding & identity design but as my career has progressed this has gradually shifted to specialism in digital design, specifically in web design and development
Key Responsibilities:
- Producing a range of print based media including corporate identities, stationery, books, brochures, flyers and packaging
- Developing digital content including websites, email campaigns, social media artwork, videos and animations
- Networking with potential clients to develop new business opportunities
- Consulting and advising clients on the best approach to their branding and online presence
- Maintaining client relationships through regular checkups, maintenance and brand progression
- Managing all accounts, costings and budgeting
Cygnus
Web Developer
May 2021 - Jul 2021
Remote
6 week fixed term contract working with multi award-winning agency Cygnus. I was part of the digital team, primarily working on the development of the new Bletchley Park website in an agile environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading the development of the new Bletchley Park website
- Defining the project scope and timeline through user stories, sprints and epics via Jira
- Participating in and leading team meetings relating to the project
- Engaging with twice daily stand-ups to provide status updates, flag issues and provide technical support on other ongoing projects
Many Makers
Digital Designer
Mar 2021 - Apr 2021
London, UK
4 week hybrid working placement with London-based video and branding agency Many Makers. In this particular role I was the design lead for the refresh of Pfizer’s new oncology hub.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing web pages for Pfizer’s new oncology hub
- Adapting existing design and assets produced by previous agencies
- Leading client meetings and design reviews
- Producing other digital assets such as HTML banner ads
Little Black Book
Designer
Nov 2019 - Jan 2020
London, UK
Over a 2 month period I provided in-house design support on numerous occasions to Soho-based advertising publication Little Black Book. I worked with various team members including the managing director on a wide range of projects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing and building new web pages to promote new offerings
- Designing a number of white paper documents written in-house, including both the typesetting and the production of various supporting assets such as charts and graphs
- Refreshing the design of the existing site pages including news listings, member profiles and product pages
- Designing new pitch decks from scratch
- Producing a series of downloadable assets to assist LBB members with using various services
McDonald Butler
Digital Designer
Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
London, UK
London-based marketing agency specialising in the technology. I provided ongoing design services over a 6 week period, supporting various team members across multiple accounts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Producing digital assets including landing pages and HTML emails
- Designing and amending corporate presentations in multiple languages
- Creating infographics
Permanent Roles
Sears Davies
Digital Designer
Aug 2015 - Sep 2018
London, UK
A London based agency with clients including Manchester United Football Club, Aviva and Barclays. I worked as part of a close knit team of designers, dealing primarily in front end web design. I was responsible for the design, build and delivery of web projects as well as assisting with branding and print design. During my time at Sears Davies, I was involved in a number of professionally recognised and award winning projects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing, building and delivering responsive, scalable web-based interfaces
- Producing costings and budgets for web projects
- Providing support and training to clients on the administration and maintenance of their websites
- Designing, building and delivering HTML email campaigns
- Providing information and support on all digital queries to colleagues and clients
- Supporting business directors with my digital expertise during client meetings
- Preparing and retouching images for a variety of applications
- Server and domain administration including DNS setup and database configuration
- Designing corporate identities, stationery, literature and signage
VoIP Unlimited
In-House Designer
May 2015 - Aug 2015
Bournemouth, UK
During my time at market leading telecommunications company, VoIP Unlimited, my role was in-house designer. Working closely with web developers and marketing executives I produced content for a number of tasks ranging from redesigning business cards to cutting edge web applications.
Key Responsibilities:
- Producing brand guidelines for the company
- Designing user interfaces for both web and software applications
- Producing imagery and content for email marketing campaigns
- Creating illustrations, iconography and animations for use on the customer facing website
Awards & Recongnition
Skills & Expertise
Technical Skills
- Proficient in Web/UI design using the Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch and prototyping tools such as InVision
- Accomplished in front-end development using HTML5, CSS3, Javascript (ES5 and ES6) and jQuery
- Adept in front end development workflows, most notably CSS preprocessors such as SASS
- Skilled in web-based animation using jQuery and native CSS animations
- Experience of building web-based applications using React.js
- Thorough understanding of code standards, compliance for accessibility and device profiles
- Extensive experience with Module Bundlers and Task Runners such as NPM and Webpack via the command line
- Proven track record developing complex content managed websites using Expression Engine and WordPress
- Working knowledge of other web-based programming languages, systems and frameworks for instance SQL, PHP, Git
- Experience working with domain, server and database administration in a LAMP environment using platforms such as Plesk, cPanel and phpMyAdmin
- Competent at creating and editing video content for the web with After Effects and Premiere
- Good understanding of SEO best practice
- Strong grasp of 3D modelling and photorealistic rendering
Design Expertise
- Extensive experience working independently as a freelance designer
- Proven ability to multi-task efficiently in a high-pressure studio environment, deliver results and meet deadlines
- Up to date knowledge of best practice and design trends on the web
- Highly experienced in information architecture, UI and UX design
- Adept at producing realistic project timelines and budgets
- Skilled in identity design including name generation, logo design and typographic treatment
- Capable of complex problem solving via hands-on development
- People person with the ability to confidently partake and direct client meetings either in person or via telephone/video call
Education
Arts University Bournemouth
BA (Hons) - Graphic Design (1st Class)
Sept 2012 - May 2015
Bournemouth, UK
A diverse course encouraging professional design thinking & practices. I worked on a wide array of projects ranging from typography to 3d design both independently & as part of a team.
Key learning points:
- Looking to alternative fields such as product design or music for inspiration
- Learning the value of critical review and peer assessment
- Appreciation for the theoretical and academic side of design as well as the importance of design history
- Importance of time management and setting personal goals
- The ability to research, analyse and communicate through critical writing and speaking
University for the Creative Arts
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
Sept 2011 - Jun 2012
Maidstone, UK
A one year course exploring a range of creative subjects. This allowed me the time & creative inspiration to decide which areas of art and design to pursue further as well as gain insight from professional designers, artists and researchers.
Key learning points:
- Invaluable experience working in multiple areas of art & design including fashion, photography, illustration & fine art
- Ability to specialise & direct my own learning through research & review
- Experience in preparing a cohesive body of work both for examination & exhibition
Oakwood Park Grammar School
Various Qualifications
Sept 2004 - May 2011
Maidstone, UK
11 GCSEs graded A* – C including Maths and English
3 A levels graded ABB:
- Media Studies – A
- English Literature – B
- Graphic Design – B