Hi, I’m Heidi Potterill. I have over 20 years of experience in advertising design, starting my career in digital photography and retouching, which sparked my passion for computers and design. For the past 12 years I’ve freelanced with clients such as PMI Science, Unilever, IQVIA, Johnson Controls, Oracle and Tearfund, delivering both digital and print work. I love turning ideas into visually compelling graphics and telling stories through design, and my portfolio reflects a breadth of brands and campaigns.…

Heidi Potterill

Hi, I’m Heidi Potterill. I have over 20 years of experience in advertising design, starting my career in digital photography and retouching, which sparked my passion for computers and design. For the past 12 years I’ve freelanced with clients such as PMI Science, Unilever, IQVIA, Johnson Controls, Oracle and Tearfund, delivering both digital and print work. I love turning ideas into visually compelling graphics and telling stories through design, and my portfolio reflects a breadth of brands and campaigns.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Heidi Potterill. I have over 20 years of experience in advertising design, starting my career in digital photography and retouching, which sparked my passion for computers and design.

For the past 12 years I’ve freelanced with clients such as PMI Science, Unilever, IQVIA, Johnson Controls, Oracle and Tearfund, delivering both digital and print work. I love turning ideas into visually compelling graphics and telling stories through design, and my portfolio reflects a breadth of brands and campaigns.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Studio Manager at Tearfund
May 1, 2023 - September 25, 2025
Managed the creative team's workflow across Copy Writers, Designers, Videographers and Digital Producers. Implemented new workflow systems to improve cross-organisational collaboration, triaged inbound work, allocated tasks to the most suitable team members, and prioritized solutions to meet deadlines.
Studio Manager at HEIDI’S CREATIVE STUDIO LTD
September 1, 2012 - Present
Oversee the end-to-end studio operation, coordinating multiple design disciplines and ensuring timely delivery of digital and print materials for a broad client base. Lead by example in design quality and process efficiency.
Production Design Manager at SAPIENTNITRO
September 1, 2016 - September 25, 2025
Led a team of Designers and Artworkers on large accounts, established studio processes, and guided work from concept to delivery while ensuring brand guideline compliance and output readiness for print and digital channels.
Freelance Artworker at DIGITAL & DIRECT
January 1, 2010 - September 25, 2025
Artworking and production support for major clients, ensuring deliverables exceeded expectations and aligned with brand standards.
ArtworkER at WDMP
September 1, 2008 - September 25, 2025
Graphic design and high-level retouching for major brands; contributed to pitch work and ensured repro-ready outputs that adhered to brand guidelines.
Graphic Designer/Head of Studio at EHOUSE
June 1, 2006 - September 25, 2025
Led studio from inception, growing the team to 6 designers and 1 web designer; managed imaging workflows, print and online brochures, and tight turnaround repro work with an offshore component.
Photographer at HIRT AND CARTER
August 1, 2000 - September 25, 2025
Specialised in digital photography, image manipulation/retouching and colour correction; coordinated studio operations and client liaison.
Studio Manager / Creative Studio Lead at Heidi’s Creative Studio Ltd
September 1, 2012 - Present
Oversee artworking and design projects for a diverse client base; manage production workflows for digital and print; coordinate client communication and delivery; maintain brand consistency and quality.
Studio Manager at Tearfund
May 1, 2023 - September 25, 2025
Manage the workflow for the creative team, including copy writers, designers, videographers and digital producers; set up new workflow systems; triage inbound work; allocate tasks; negotiate deadlines; organize and prioritise solutions to meet deadlines.
Production Design Manager at SapientNitro
September 1, 2016 - September 25, 2025
Lead a team of designers and artworkers on large accounts; ensure smooth studio operations, implement processes, provide creative input and ensure work meets brand guidelines and is production ready; quality control.
Freelance Artworker at Digital & Direct
January 1, 2010 - September 25, 2025
Artworking and production work to ensure final deliverables exceed expectations for high-profile clients, with a focus on accuracy and quality.
Artwork er at WDMP
September 1, 2008 - September 25, 2025
Graphic design and retouching to a high level; assisted in pitch management and repro disk ups; ensured brand consistency and print readiness.
Graphic Designer/Head of Studio at EHOUSE
June 1, 2006 - September 25, 2025
Set up the studio from scratch and grew the department; managed a team of designers and a web designer; oversaw image processing with a team in India; artworking and design for print and online with tight turnaround times.
Photographer at Hirt and Carter
August 1, 2000 - September 25, 2025
Specialising in digital photography; image manipulation/retouching and colour correction; coordinated studio operations and client liaison.

Education

Bachelor of Art at Natal
January 24, 1994 - December 6, 1996
National Diploma in Photography at Technikon Natal
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1996
National Diploma in Photography at Technikon Natal
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1996

Qualifications

National Diploma in Photography
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1996
National Diploma in Photography
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1996

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare, Software & Internet, Other

Skills

Experience Level