Elliot John William Steel Ba (Hons)

Home Address: Sawrey House, 72 Kings Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 3AP
Web: www.ell02.com
E Mail: elliot@ell02.com
Home Telephone: 01252 617315
Mobile Telephone: 07811 995510
Date of Birth: 31 March 1979

"A multimedia designer with an artistic flair for graphics design. Extensive experience working with large clients on diverse projects, developing high profile applications."

CORE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge of the following applications: HTML, Dreamweaver (MX & Ultradev), Fireworks (MX & 4), Flash (MX & 4 with Actionscript), Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, In Design, Director, CSS, Javascript, MS Office. An awareness of video editing techniques.

Extensive experience within commercial e-commerce 'dot com' companies - lastminute.com, holidayautos, expedia, kelkoo, opodo.

Freelance agency experience working for clients such as Vodaphone and Microsoft.

4 + years experience as a freelance multimedia designer. Creating Websites, Print based design, Flash Animations & Applications, Web Games, E-Shots, CD-ROM’s.

Noted for the ability to take a clients thoughts and requirements and develop them into fresh new ideas and concepts.

A flair for creating graphically rich applications whilst working within the constraints of usability, accessibility, and functionality.

Proven ability to aid promotion of web applications through search engine placement and online marketing techniques.

Extensive ‘QA’ testing experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

January 2003 - Present: Senior Web Designer: www.holidayautos.co.uk (part of lastminute.com):

Holidayautos.co.uk is the worlds largest leisure car hire broker, and is owned by lastminute.com (Europe’s most visited travel and leisure web site). The website is accountable for 70% of all business and transacts an average of £600,000 daily.

Working as a senior designer (both print and web) within this high-profile '.com' I have been involved in all areas of site design, maintenance and print based advertising. Working in a design team of five aided by an extensive development team I have been responsible for many areas of site development…

Key areas of responsibility include:

Complete design of company websites and brands

Design and distribution of company E-Shots (Distributed to 2.7 million people every week)

Design of promotional banners and page content

Design of print based advertising for national newspapers

Design of company promotional materail for exhibitions / brand awareness

Creation and maintenance of web pages

Creation of affiliate pages for partners such as kelkoo, expedia, opodo and virgin

QA testing

Multi-Channel development – WAP, Digital Channels, Various mobile technologies

Working with web development team on areas of e-business development

During my time with Holiday Autos I have also been a senior webmaster for holidayhotels.co.uk, the sister company to Holiday Autos. Within this role I have been solely responsible for the progression and upkeep of the site from design to S.E.O. Over the past six months I have successfully trebled average daily visits to holidayhotels.co.uk from 800 to 2,400 unique daily visitors. Please Note: This site is now managed outside of the company and no longer represents the quality of my work.

January 2000 – January 2003: Freelance Multimedia Designer:

Working within a highly creative agency I was responsible for designing and developing multimedia applications for commercial businesses using the Macromedia and Adobe suites. Further information and the company portfolio may be obtained online: http://www.liquidcreative.co.uk. Designing a broad range of applications gave me a good eye for design, whilst realising usability and accessibility issues. Developing web sites from scratch has provided me with an understanding of all areas of web site development from graphics design to meeting and working sympathetically with clients. It has also given me an excellent insight into designing specific sites to meet certain needs and specifications. Working on large projects I am very aware of the importance of working in harmony with other project developers.

EDUCATION:

2001 – 2003 The Digital Accademy, Wokingham:
HNC in Multimedia: Passed with merit

1997 – 2000 Staffordshire University: Ba (Hons) Film, Television & Radio Studies
Degree class: 2:1

Subjects studied include:
Multi-Media applications, HTML, Video production, Audio production, Broadcasting history, Script writing.

My degree has provided me with an excellent understanding of the infrastructure of the dominant media industries, and an insight into how the mass media is produced through various practical assignments and case studies.
The biggest of these roles was working as an Art Director on the short film ‘Lawrence Pinks Reflection’, winner of the JVC short film award 2000. Working as Art Director I was able to gain skills in all areas of presentation from set-design to lighting, developing an eye for visual production and design. I have also worked as a Cameraperson on two further productions and co-produced a short film for the BBC’s ‘Aiming High Project’. These experiences have provided me with an excellent understanding of media production, and in particular a passion for design based media.

Working through a modular scheme also enabled me to gain many valuable skills in information technology. These include multi-media applications skills in presentation and design. My vast knowledge of HTML led me into developing several web sites, and allowed me to develop many presentation skills. My extensive knowledge of the Internet and its applications furthered my passion for multimedia design.

1995 – 1997 Farnborough Sixth Form College
4 A – Levels in English Language, Geography, Media Studies, General Studies.

1990 – 1995 Court Moor School, Fleet
9 GCSEs – Grades A – C (Including English and Drama)

ABOUT MYSELF:

Throughout my academic life I always had a keen interest in the arts. At school and college I was an enthusiastic member of drama clubs and societies, becoming involved in the production of many theatrical shows at a senior level. I regularly help out at The Camberley Theatre, working as backstage crew on a number of major theatrical productions. This hobby evolved into an interest for visual design, and ultimately a passion for multimedia design.

My main interest outside of my academic life is kayaking on both white and placid water. I am an active member of a local canoe club, often becoming involved in committee meetings, and organising trips away to Wales and the West Country. As well as running challenging rivers I also enjoy competing in marathon races on the river Thames. I am also actively involved in teaching and instructing at a local swimming pool and canoeing centre on the Basingstoke canal for the handicapped. As well as being an avenue for relaxation canoeing has also given me leadership, teaching, and social skills. My other main interest is juggling, at which I have reached a highly competent level. As well as juggling I also enjoy many other circus skills such as plate spinning and uni-cycling. These pursuits have provided me with determination, directed thinking, and perseverance.

I also have a passion for travel and adventure. As well as enjoying the Peak and Lake District, I also enjoy travelling abroad to America and Europe. Most recently this has lead me the Himalayas, completing thirty days of trekking and rafting. Through these experiences I have enjoyed many exciting and valuable experiences, in particular learning the importance of teamwork and leadership.

Please contact me for references.