ABOUT ME
Graphic Designer/Illustrator
Hello, I’m Jess! Welcome to my portfolio website. I’m a graphic designer with a passion for aesthetics, learning, travel and art. I’m from New Zealand but I have lived half my life in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates and I'm currently based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The experience of working across multiple languages, cultures, and continents has led me to believe that good design transcends language. I hope you enjoy looking through my portfolio. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
ILLUSTRATOR
Expert
I have an advanced level of skill in Illustrator. I've been using this program for 10 years, slowly teaching myself how to use it, as well as learning some skills from a CS short course and additional industry skills on the job.
INDESIGN
Expert
I have been using InDesign for the past 8 years. I first started using this program at University in a CS basics class and have been very passionate about using it since then. I have learnt a lot in the past 4 years, as part of my job at OSN. While working there I benefited from the experience of my colleagues and continued to improve my skills.
PHOTOSHOP
Expert
I have extensive experience with Photoshop. I initially taught myself how to use it during my lunch breaks at high school, experimenting with all of the tools and features. I then took an Adobe CS short course in my last year of high school. Since then I have learnt more new skills during my time at University and working as a designer.
EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION
2017 - on going
I am currently based in Buenos Aires where I am learning Spanish. I also keep up my design skills by taking on small projects for various clients and myself. I also take courses to improve my skills.
May 2017
A two-day course on textile printing. Learning technical skills in textile printing design and production.
TRAVELlER
May 2016 - May 2017. Global.
After a few years in Dubai, I decided to take some time off. I travelled through Europe, North America and South America. I experienced different cultures and explored many great museums, absorbing a range of design and art ideas along the way. During this trip I also started to learn Spanish.
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
July 2013 - April 2016. Dubai, UAE.
In the 3 years I worked at OSN I gained a lot of skills, not just in design. Working in a large (8 designers) multinational and multilingual team I learned how to collaborate with different types of people and overcome language barriers. As part of the Marketing Department, we handled a range of projects. This included anything from billboards to flyers and store design to on-screen graphics. All of this in over 15 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and in up to 4 languages. As part of a large team we worked as individuals with a common goal, working on separate projects in alignment with the company's image. I also was part of a group on larger tasks, sometimes working as a contributor and other times becoming the lead designer and project manager.
GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING INTERN
June 2013 – July 2016. Dubai, UAE.
Interning in the marketing department at OSN I was given the opportunity to use the skills that I gained at university in real-world applications. I was part of a team of 5 other designers who were all Arabic speakers. I came in as a native English speaker with a fresh take on design. I was increasingly given more complex projects and evidently completed them above expectations as they employed me full time by the end of my internship.
BACHELOR OF ARTS: UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO
February 2010 – November 2012. Dunedin, New Zealand.
I graduated with a Major in Design and Minors in Art History and Communication Studies. In my design classes, I studied both graphic and product design, giving me a well-rounded education in both. We learnt how to use CS programs such as InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator as well as CAD programs like Solid Works in addition to technical skills with 3D printers and hands-on modelling. As an art history student, I studied a range of topics from Gothic architecture to Totalitarian art and propaganda. In Communication studies, within the media studies program, I learned a lot about working with different groups and individuals to convey an intended message through a variety of platforms. My multidisciplinary studies at Otago enriched my education in visual communication in a way that solely studying design would not have done.
ST HILDAS COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
January 2003 – December 2009. Dunedin, New Zealand.
At St Hilda's I studied a range of subjects such as Science, Math, English, and French. However, my main and favourite classes were Painting, Design, Art History, Graphics and Computing. My love of these subjects (and the brilliant teachers who taught them) led me to study design at university. My school also enabled me to have access to the Adobe CS programs, which I taught myself how to use during my lunch breaks.
