Digital Designer

Jessica Corbel – Calligo

What do you do?

My job involves fulfilling marketing objectives by designing creative solutions to strengthen our brand and promote our message. It’s an exciting and varied role which includes illustration, animation, digital design, print design and many other forms.

Skills you need for the job?

I graduated from university with a Digital Media and Web Design degree before starting at Calligo, however you don’t need to have a degree to start out in this industry. A keen eye for design and a passion for it is always a good start.

What training have you undergone?

I have been working closely with the Senior Graphic Designer, who has taught me lots of tips and tricks to improve my skill sets. I have seen a massive improvement since starting here, which shows how much hard work and practice has to do with it.

Training and development on the job?

We have access to a number of online training websites (such as Lynda and Skillshare) which really come in handy when I need to brush up on an old skill or use a different technique or software.

Advice for job seekers?

Create an up-to-date digital portfolio. Make sure it stands out, shows a variety of styles and demonstrates your passion for design. I would also recommend having an account with Dribbble and Behance. Even if you don’t want to post your work, there are so many talented designers to gather inspiration from.

Charlene Brown – States Of Jersey

What do you do?

Plan and create quality, easy-to-use digital content that allows customers to access government information and complete their tasks quickly and simply. Collaborate with States of Jersey departments, working closely with them to research customers’ behaviour and journeys to help them design and write content to suit customers’ needs. Complete regular content audits and inventories to make sure that content is up to date, accurate, valuable and targeted to customers’ needs. Deliver training courses which teach and inspire people to consider content from their customer’s perspective and the basics in writing open, effective, usable and useful web content.

What training have you undergone?

NN/g UX certified, Diploma in Web Content Writing, Diploma in Digital Marketing, Google Analytics Individual Qualification, User Research and Usability testing.

What do you do on an average day?

I work with individuals across the States of Jersey to plan, prepare, maintain and deliver great content for their customers. This can include a wide range of topics including recycling, maternity, careers, education, tax, benefits and much more. We conduct user research, build site maps, consider and test information architecture, write and test content, plan content promotion and measure our results using analytics and website feedback.

Skills you need for the job?

A passion for customers, excellent writing skills, an eye for detail, the ability to turn complex subjects into easy, digestible content, excellent influencing skills, a good understanding of usability, accessibility, information architecture, user experience (UX) and the ability to conduct user research.

Advice for job seekers in the same field:

We definitely need more women in this industry, so ladies please have the confidence to go for these content roles. There’s a wide range to choose from including content writer, content editor, content designer, content manager, content marketer etc.

Ben Young – Specsavers

What do you do?

I work on various design and conceptual briefs across digital, print and outdoor media.

What do you do on an average day?

I work on various projects throughout the day. These are communicated through client briefs from our traffic team, then assigned by senior management. I mostly rely on the Adobe Creative suite, this could be XD for UX/ UI web design, InDesign for print, Photoshop for banners or image manipulation and After Effects for prototyping interactions or Facebook video. I also use Google Web Designer for HTML5 animations and Cinema 4D for 3D conceptual work.

Skills you need for the job?

There are six key skills – creativity, communication, technology, time management, typography and most of all passion. If you don’t enjoy what you do, you’ll have nothing pushing you to succeed. I believe happiness should be a top goal in any career.

What training have you undergone?

I studied a mixture of IT and Media diplomas at Highlands College before undertaking their Foundation Certification in Art Studies. This helped me clarify the route I wanted to take before studying Graphic Communication and Illustration at Wolverhampton University. Prior to working at Specsavers I worked as a Website Designer, Creative Artworker and at a couple of agencies in print and digital design.

Training and development on the job?

We have several company subscriptions including Lynda and Treehouse to improve our skills. If we switch from different software platforms such as when we transitioned from Hype to Google Web Designer, we receive further training. I will also be undertaking CPUX Foundation Course and Certification by the International Usability and UX Qualification Board on behalf of the company. This will broaden my knowledge for UX/UI design work.

Martin Smith – Alemba

What do you do?

I am a Graphic and UI Designer for Alemba, a company that makes ITSM and Enterprise Management Software. My role is split between creating marketing content and working on the UI & styling of our software products.

What do you do on an average day?

My role in Alemba is wonderfully varied. One day can see me working with the marketing department creating content for advertising and social media campaigns; another day I’ll be working with the development team on software styling. Alemba has offices and members of staff around the globe, so I frequently find myself collaborating with colleagues in Australia, South Africa or America. It’s definitely never boring!

Skills you need for the job?

Extensive knowledge of all the usual industry standard design software, as well as a flair for design, is essential. Being able to think creatively and come up with well-polished designs and original ideas. An understanding of
UI design and up-to-date knowledge of UX/UI trends, techniques and technologies is necessary. Knowledge of web development (especially HTML5, CSS and JavaScript) is also essential.

What training have you undergone?

I’d previously worked for over 15 years as a Graphic Designer in the print industry, in which time I was able to hone my skills as a designer. Design has always been a passion for me, so I would spend a lot of my free time learning new software and techniques, as well as teaching myself the fundamentals of web-design and development.

Advice for job seekers?

As with most creative roles, the single most important thing you can do is build a strong & focused portfolio. Make yourself as versatile as possible – the more skills you have, the more value you’ll add to your future employer.

David Richards – The Potting Shed

What do you do?

I am a Senior Web Developer which involves planning and developing websites, apps and emails for various clients. I also handle the local IT setup in the office.

What do you do on an average day?

Most of the day I will be working on the current project which is normally a website or app and consists of building front and backend components, setting up and optimising servers, and testing, lots of testing! The rest of the time I will be fixing or improving anything IT related in the office, training and improving on my skillset and doing anything that needs to be turned around quickly which can normally consist of small website amends, HTML email campaigns, pulling in reports and server amends.

Skills you need for the job?

Basic HTML/CSS/Javascript knowledge (Frontend), Basic PHP/ASP knowledge (Backend), Basic MYSQL/SQL Server
Knowledge (Database), Basic Ubuntu/Windows server knowledge (Hosting Server), Basic knowledge of version control software (Git)

Career prospects:

As a senior developer I am always trying to find new ways to make tasks quicker. As time goes on and I develop in my role I will be looking to move forward onto becoming a lead developer and one day, a digital director.
Advice for job seekers in the same field: Build a website to show off. It can be about anything that you want. It shows that you have a basic understanding on the various areas that you would be working on daily. When I got my first job as a junior developer I had made a (really) basic website that listed computer parts and a few generic pages. Each page had something different that showed off my skills.

“Build a website about anything that you want. It shows you have a basic understanding on various areas.”

Sara Pike – Specsavers

What do you do?

I look after the design team for the Nordic region, working on design and conceptual briefs across print, digital and outdoor media.

What do you do on an average day?

I work within a team and between us we work on tasks such as designing advertising concepts for press, animated digital adverts, creating mood boards for themes, retouching images, writing photography briefs, and organising photo shoots, as well as providing art direction and liaising with our clients.

Skills you need for the job?

Creative flair, originality and a strong visual imagination. Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Knowledge of other programmes in the Adobe Suite, especially editing, 3-D and web tools. A working knowledge of Flash/Animate/ Edge Animate/Google Web Design. A basic understanding of HTML5/CSS.

Training and development on the job?

I like to be continually learning and have learnt to use new software including Hype (for animation) and continue to learn Cinema 4D for 3D rendering.
Career prospects: Graphic design has lots of career pathways if you are able to vary your skillset.

Advice for job seekers in the same field:

Get as much work experience as possible including work placements, charity work, and work proactively on your own projects. With the expansion of digital, a designer who has a varied skillset is really valuable, so learn skills such as HTML, CSS, animation and 3D if you can.

Joshua Bale – Specsavers

What do you do?

I create visual concepts and elements, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. I also develop the overall layout and production for advertisements, brochures, magazines and other corporate elements.

What training have you undergone?

BTEC Extended Diploma in Art & Design at Highlands College and BA (Hons) Visual Communication, at Arts University Bournemouth.

What do you do on an average day?

I’m set client briefs and I have to interpret it through original creative graphic design solutions, using a mix of creative skills, specialist graphic
and multimedia software and commercial awareness, which ends up being used for current and future advertisements as well as corporate elements for Specsavers Opticians.

Skills you need for the job?

Learn creative and graphic design skills (the internet is your friend here), gain creative work experience and build a strong portfolio which should include client and personal work. Be friendly and confident- we’re not only looking for your creative skills, we’re also looking to see if you will fit well within the team.

“Keep learning new skills, build up your portfolio and get work experience.”

Katie Freeman – Switch Digital

What do you do?

My job is to work with the Creative Director and motion graphics designer to turn a client’s brief into a creative concept/execution for their website or digital marketing activity.

What do you do on an average day?

At Switch, there is always a buzz about a new brief or project going live. I really look forward to coming to the office every day. On a Wednesday, we have a team lunch where we try out a different café each week. We have a very calm and healthy office environment thanks to our ‘living wall’ (made from plants) and office dogs! My typical day will start out by checking emails, prioritising tasks using Trello, catching up with Steve our Creative Director, working on a new brand concept, attending a team meeting and speaking to clients on the phone. The days usually pass by so quickly!

Skills you need for the job?

I would say knowing how to use the Adobe software programmes is probably the most important skill. However, on top of that you need to have a sharp eye for detail, the ability to interpret a complex brief and strong problem solving skills. You also need to have a creative mind and be able to constantly come up with innovative creative concepts to communicate the client’s message.

Advice for job seekers?

Any work experience will be useful so get as much as possible. For example, Project Trident, work placements, even offer to help friends and family – you will learn a lot and it will be useful to start building your portfolio. Also try and read as much industry press such as Behance and Dribbble.

“Practice as much as possible in your spare time and ensure you keep up to date with the Adobe programmes”