I am a graphic designer, illustrator, and pitch deck specialist with a passion for turning ideas into creative solutions. I thrive on taking the kernel of an idea and developing it in unique ways that others might not think of. With years of experience across multiple disciplines and industries, I bring a broad skill set to every project I work on. I enjoy stepping back to see the bigger picture while diving into creative visuals for diverse challenges. I love fast turnarounds and working closely with clients and creative teams to produce engaging branding, marketing, and pitch materials.

Luke Giles

I am a graphic designer, illustrator, and pitch deck specialist with a passion for turning ideas into creative solutions. I thrive on taking the kernel of an idea and developing it in unique ways that others might not think of. With years of experience across multiple disciplines and industries, I bring a broad skill set to every project I work on. I enjoy stepping back to see the bigger picture while diving into creative visuals for diverse challenges. I love fast turnarounds and working closely with clients and creative teams to produce engaging branding, marketing, and pitch materials.

Available to hire

I am a graphic designer, illustrator, and pitch deck specialist with a passion for turning ideas into creative solutions. I thrive on taking the kernel of an idea and developing it in unique ways that others might not think of. With years of experience across multiple disciplines and industries, I bring a broad skill set to every project I work on.

I enjoy stepping back to see the bigger picture while diving into creative visuals for diverse challenges. I love fast turnarounds and working closely with clients and creative teams to produce engaging branding, marketing, and pitch materials.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Illustrator & Pitch Deck Specialist at Self Employed
August 1, 2018 - June 7, 2024
Worked as a freelance contractor creating pitch decks and illustrative work for agencies and private clients. Clients included Momentum, Snackzilla, The Department, Insurance Nexus and more.
Storyteller Designer at Mach49
March 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023
Ran storytelling workshops with clients from multinational corporates. Developed story and pitch decks with joint client and in-house teams over 7-10 weeks. Designed pitch decks and associated assets including logos, branding, merchandise, and social media content. Worked across 8 ventures, successfully taking majority to full funding. Participated in internal guilds to develop new processes and foster team spirit.
Senior Pitch Designer at Ogilvy UK
November 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022
Created pitch decks for leading brands and clients. Prepared internal presentations for various teams. Produced published documents promoting equality and corporate responsibility. Created social marketing assets. Managed a pool of freelance support and a midweight designer to ensure workflow control.
Design Creative - Monthly Freelance Contract at Nucco Brain
June 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Specialised in pitch decks and winning new business primarily. Rebranded and created brand guidelines for international companies. Delivered design solutions across digital marketing collateral, UI interfaces, video graphics, print assets, infographics and illustrations.
Design Creative at The Department
May 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
Worked across design and illustration from pitch process to concept ideation and asset delivery, including pitch decks. For live projects, designed varied assets such as large dragonfly wings for HP activation and illustrated graphics for a circus-themed party for a leading social media company. Created publications and printed material including newspapers for the Women's Football World Cup, stylised production manuals, and interactive white papers.
Skills Training & Contract Work at Self Employed
April 1, 2016 - August 1, 2018
Focused on personal illustration and self-learning while working various short contract roles, some of which are included in the portfolio.
Project Director (Contract) at Small Axe Communications
May 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016
Oversaw discovery/design process for a divorce/mediation app client, scoping and visualising branding and UX development. Worked directly with client and led a team of designers alongside the Managing Director. Copywrote for web and app content, managed content production and web builds. Mapped initial concept, charted user journeys, led user testing, and scoped a buildable product. Ran branding workshops and consulted on various charity and NGO projects.
Content & Social Manager at London Craft Week
April 1, 2015 - May 31, 2017
Set social media strategy at the launch of London Craft Week, managed and coordinated a team of 20 for content creation and live event reporting. Created and scheduled newsletters, organized coverage and content collection at launch events. Ensured business partner agreements were met and honored.
Project Manager (Contract) at Type Tasting
January 1, 2015 - May 31, 2015
Managed fulfilment and e-commerce processes while consulting on marketing strategies and supporting product development for a debut book. Advised on marketing, devised cover variations for campaigns, managed e-commerce processes handling 500 sales within the first week.
Content Manager at Simply Media
September 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015
Led content creation and managed the migration of content and sites across platforms involving product managers, developers, and UX designers. Created social and newsletter copy. Supervised a team including UX designer, developer, and graphic designer during the redesign of Reader’s Digest website and stabilization of MovieMail website. Trained and managed editorial teams, developed pricing structures, and created editorial content calendars.
Project Director & Chief Editor of Online & Social Media at Artrocker Magazine
May 1, 2013 - February 28, 2014
Established a new editorial team, managed a wider resource of writers, streamlined administrative processes, commissioned, proofed and edited articles, improved social media engagement, and managed creation of a summer festival coverage.
Senior Administrative Specialist at Queen Mary University London
May 1, 2012 - September 30, 2013
Provided stability and regular income by taking a full-time role in the Business & Management department during family circumstances.
Project Director of Music Merchandise at Creative Soles
January 1, 2010 - April 30, 2012
Directed music merchandise division, secured deals with artists, built an e-commerce platform, created marketing and social media copy, negotiated commercial licenses avoiding standard image fees, managed development and design teams, established relationships with commercial partners, developed brand tone of voice, and led the website to 40,000 unique users within 6 months while managing editorial and PR teams.
Freelance Illustrator & Pitch Deck Specialist at Self Employed
August 1, 2018 - June 23, 2024
Worked as a freelance contractor creating pitch decks and illustrative work for agencies and private clients. Clients included Momentum, Snackzilla, The Department, Insurance Nexus, and more.
Storyteller Designer at Mach49
March 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023
Ran storytelling workshops with clients from multinational corporates. Developed stories and pitch decks collaboratively with clients and in-house teams over 7 to 10 weeks. Designed pitch decks and associated assets such as logos, branding, merchandise, and social media content. Worked across 8 ventures taking the majority to full funding and contributed to new process and strategy development within internal guilds.
Senior Pitch Designer at Ogilvy UK
November 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022
Created pitch decks for leading brands and internal presentations across the business. Produced published documents promoting company's efforts in equality and corporate responsibility. Managed freelance support and midweight designers to ensure workflow control.
Design Creative - Monthly Freelance Contract at Nucco Brain
June 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Specialised in pitch decks and winning new business. Rebranded and created brand guidelines for international companies. Delivered design solutions from digital marketing collateral to UI interfaces, video graphics, print assets, infographics, and illustrations.
Design Creative at The Department
May 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
Worked across design and illustration from pitch process to concept ideation and asset delivery. Created pitch decks and designed assets for live projects including large installations and illustrated graphics for events. Developed publications and printed materials ranging from newspapers for the Women’s Football World Cup to production manuals and interactive white papers.
Project Director (Contract) at Small Axe Communications
May 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016
Oversaw discovery and design process for a divorce/mediation app, scoping and visualising branding and UX development. Worked with client and managed a team of designers. Lead copywriting, content production, and website builds. Ran branding workshops and consulted on copy, imagery, marketing pitches, and UX/UI concepts for charities and NGOs.
Content & Social Manager at London Craft Week
April 1, 2015 - May 31, 2017
Set out and implemented social media strategy starting from the inaugural year. Managed a growing team creating content and reporting on live events through social media channels. Created and scheduled newsletters. Coordinated coverage of launch events and ensured partner agreements were honoured across social platforms.
Project Manager (Contract) at Type Tasting
January 1, 2015 - May 31, 2015
Managed fulfilment and e-commerce processes. Advised on product marketing and devised marketing ideas including multiple book covers for consumer choice. Created written copy for marketing and workshops. Installed and managed e-commerce system that handled 500 sales within the first week.
Content Manager across MovieMail, Reader’s Digest and Simply at Simply Media
September 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015
Led content creation and managed migration of content and sites to new management, platforms, and UX/UI designs. Supervised a team during website redesign, managed emergency troubleshooting, and stabilized product offerings. Developed pricing structures to ensure product viability and created editorial calendars with promotional sales.
Project Director & Chief Editor of Online & Social Media at Artrocker Magazine
May 1, 2013 - February 28, 2014
Re-established editorial team during digital transition, managed contributors, and led coverage of live music events, interviews, and features. Improved submission and archival processes and enhanced social media engagement. Managed festival creation alongside booking agent with video and written coverage.
Senior Administrative Specialist at Queen Mary University London
May 1, 2012 - September 30, 2013
Worked in Business & Management department providing stability and regular income during family circumstances.
Project Director of Music Merchandise at Creative Soles
January 1, 2010 - April 30, 2012
Directed music merchandise division launching e-commerce platform and securing deals with major artists and merchandise companies in UK and USA. Managed teams of developers and designers, established account relations with commercial partners, and shaped brand's online marketing persona leading to rapid user growth.
Various administrative and project assistant roles at Creative & Cultural Skills, PLASA Events Ltd, Cleanaway UK, Visit London
March 1, 2004 - April 30, 2010
Performed various administrative and project assistant roles after university across multiple organizations.

Education

BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture at Sheffield Hallam University
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003
BTEC National Diploma at Bedford College
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999
A Level at Bedford School
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1997
GCSE at Bedford School
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995
BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture at Sheffield Hallam University
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003
BTEC National Diploma in Art & Design at Bedford College
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999
A Level at Bedford School
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1997
GCSE at Bedford School
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Education, Software & Internet