CV

A designer of apps and web-based software, with over 25 years’ experience of making technology work for people, based in Leeds, UK. A specialist in UI design, with a strong background in UX design. Working closely with businesses, designing simple and usable digital products that their users have loved. Bringing a human-centred design approach, with creativity, interpersonal skills, technical understanding, and a track record of versatility. Designs have led to increased sales, trust, and reputation, as demonstrated in working as a Senior Creative Designer at KPMG.

FREELANCE UI/UX DESIGNER, Leeds
Jan 2024 - Present

Digital designer of apps, websites, and graphical assets. Consulting with local schools on web design, content and UX. Advising businesses how to improve their app and web designs, with the following mix of strengths:

• Proven creativity and problem solving, designing elegant and intuitive wireframes and prototypes with Figma.
• A human-centred design approach, with user research that leads to designs that have the best practices of simplicity, usability, accessibility, empathy, and ethics.
• Confident interpersonal skills, collaborating seamlessly with clients, stakeholders, and users, to transform complex tasks into easy to use and streamlined digital products.
• Versatility, with experience of mentoring, training, and copy writing. Designer of logos, icons, flyers, and adverts.
• Excellent technical understanding, a high level of HTML and CSS, working well with developers in Agile teams.

SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER - KPMG, Leeds
Apr 2016 - Dec 2023 (Redundancy)

UI/UX product designer and visual designer of dashboards, surveys, mobile prototypes, policy apps, AI chat, product ordering and HR systems, sold successfully to well-known national and international brands. The role included:

• Use of Figma, Adobe CC, Sketch, Miro, and Invision, designing high fidelity, fully branded mock-ups, and prototypes of mobile responsive software experiences.
• Low-fidelity wire frame design, creating user journeys, using empathy, and iterating from user feedback.
• Strategic design leadership in Agile teams, with mentoring and supervision of junior colleagues.
• Leading on workshops for client scoping, sketching, ideation, brainstorming and research activities.
• Component library and design system creation.
• Logo design and branding for software products, with additional design of branded PDF training manuals.
• HTML and CSS builds, implementing fully responsive and accessible designs in corporate branding.

FREELANCE UI/UX WEB DESIGNER - Leeds
Sep 2014 - Apr 2016

Designing e-commerce websites and interfaces for digital agencies. The role included:

• Creation of high-fidelity mock-ups, low fidelity wireframes, responsive design, HTML and CSS builds, UX prototypes, Shopify and Wordpress builds.

FREELANCE EMAIL DESIGNER - Farnell, Leeds
Jan 2013 - Sep 2014

Contractor designing and developing responsive, dynamic HTML email templates.

DIGITAL PROJECT MANAGER - Twentysix Digital, Leeds
Sep 2012 - Jan 2013

Project Manager for the design of corporate scale, CMS driven websites.

SENIOR DIGITAL OFFICER - Leeds Metropolitan University
Dec 2005 - Sep 2012

Senior website build team member, with UX design and project management experience. The role included:

• HTML and CSS template building in the corporate CMS, with user admin, support, and training.

E-CONTENT OFFICER - Derbyshire County Council
Oct 2004 - Dec 2005

Creating front end HTML templates, designing banners and graphical content in the new CMS.

WEB DESIGNER - Peak Net, Derbyshire
Jun 2001 - Oct 2004

Designing extremely high quality, professional websites for large businesses across the UK.

WEB DESIGNER - Textile and Clothing Network, Leeds University Textiles Department
May 2000 - Jun 2001

IT HELPDESK - Leeds University Information Systems Services
Apr 1998 - May 2000

IT TRAINING CONSULTANT - LINK Multimedia Learning Centres, Leeds and Wakefield
Feb 1997 - Apr 1998

Software: Figma, Sketch, Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, Adobe XD, Miro, Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, Affinity Publisher, Balsamiq, InVision, Sublime Text, Dreamweaver CC, InDesign CC.

UI Design: Component design, design system design, responsive web design, mock-ups, layout, mark-up, accessibility.

Visual / Graphic Design: Image and banner design, applying branding, grids, colour, typography, logo, and icon design.

UX Design: Wire-framing, sketching, prototyping, IA, site maps, stakeholder engagement, workshops, user centred design methodologies, persona creation, user journey improvement, survey creation, usability, document writing.

Communication: Training, presentations, copywriting, social media, soft people skills, cross-functional collaboration.

Project Leadership: A design leader in Agile/Scrum teams, collaborating on large software product builds. PRINCE2, Achieved the ILM Level 3 First Line Management qualification. Functional specification writing. Business budgeting.

Code: HTML, CSS, SASS, LESS, Bootstrap, SEO, browser testing.

Content Management Systems: Front end template building and admin of CMSs such as WordPress, Shopify, RedDot and Tridion, with content auditing and advice.

Event Management and Marketing: Digital marketing, print design, advertising, and staff management; having previously run and promoted a successful club night spare time business.

1993-1996: BA (Hons) Degree Sociology and Public Media (Grade: II i).
Trinity and All Saints, a College of the University of Leeds.

1991-1993: Brighton University Certificate in Foundation studies Art (pre BA).
Hastings College of Art and Technology.

1991: A-LEVELS; Sociology (A), Art (C), Politics (C).
William Parker School, Hastings.

Video gaming, seeing bands, hobby art and design projects. A Sci-Fi and Fantasy fan.