Hi, I'm John Gillespie, a multidisciplinary UN designer with over eleven years of experience in design and development focused on creating a sustainable world. I've spent more than two decades in digital media and communications, including eleven years with the UN Department of Global Communications in New York, where I specialized in branding, UI/UX design, front-end development, and content editing. I have designed and developed a wide range of UN web properties, micro-sites for the Secretary-General's initiatives, and social media branding campaigns. My work has been recognized with multiple awards including the UN Secretary-General Award and several Graphic Design USA Inhouse Design Awards. When I'm not designing or coding, I enjoy photography and writing, which have also played important roles in my projects at the United Nations.

John Gillespie

Hi, I'm John Gillespie, a multidisciplinary UN designer with over eleven years of experience in design and development focused on creating a sustainable world. I've spent more than two decades in digital media and communications, including eleven years with the UN Department of Global Communications in New York, where I specialized in branding, UI/UX design, front-end development, and content editing. I have designed and developed a wide range of UN web properties, micro-sites for the Secretary-General's initiatives, and social media branding campaigns. My work has been recognized with multiple awards including the UN Secretary-General Award and several Graphic Design USA Inhouse Design Awards. When I'm not designing or coding, I enjoy photography and writing, which have also played important roles in my projects at the United Nations.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m John Gillespie, a multidisciplinary UN designer with over eleven years of experience in design and development focused on creating a sustainable world. I’ve spent more than two decades in digital media and communications, including eleven years with the UN Department of Global Communications in New York, where I specialized in branding, UI/UX design, front-end development, and content editing.

I have designed and developed a wide range of UN web properties, micro-sites for the Secretary-General’s initiatives, and social media branding campaigns. My work has been recognized with multiple awards including the UN Secretary-General Award and several Graphic Design USA Inhouse Design Awards. When I’m not designing or coding, I enjoy photography and writing, which have also played important roles in my projects at the United Nations.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Designer + Web Developer at Dag Hammarskjöld Library, DGC, UN Secretariat, New York
December 31, 2021 - July 17, 2025
Graphic designer and web developer responsible for the design and development of the Library's websites as well as electronic and printed materials. Contributed branding, design, development and social media skills.
Associate Website Officer at Web Services Section, DGC, UN Secretariat, New York
December 31, 2019 - July 17, 2025
Supported website creation and maintenance in WordPress and Drupal for the Outreach Division including iSeek, the UN Intranet, focusing on development, design, presentations, and client management.
Graphic Designer at Graphic Design Unit, DGC, UN Secretariat, New York
December 31, 2020 - July 17, 2025
Led design and branding for global communications campaigns across the UN system, including social media design. Won awards including the Secretary-General Award finalist and 8 GDUSA Inhouse Design Awards.
Web Designer + Developer at Web Services Section, DGC, UN Secretariat, New York
December 31, 2016 - July 17, 2025
Designed and developed the first UN homepage built in Drupal and created web branding applied in six languages to hundreds of UN web properties.
Designer + Web Developer at Africa Renewal, DGC, UN Secretariat, New York
December 31, 2012 - July 17, 2025
Rebranded, redesigned and developed print and web versions of Africa Renewal magazine; one of the first Drupal sites at UN HQ, recognized as 'best practice' in 2011 DGC review.
Video Editor + Web Developer at Health TV, Auckland, New Zealand
December 31, 2008 - July 17, 2025
Developed and maintained five WordPress sites; daily content editing for national broadcast; combined video editing and web development skills.
Designer + Web Developer at Special Operations Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
December 31, 2010 - July 17, 2025
Owned and operated a design, web, and video business focusing on branding, print production, web development in Drupal and WordPress, and video production.
Designer + Web Developer at Communication Arts Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand
December 31, 2006 - July 17, 2025
Designed and produced a variety of printed materials including corporate reports, brochures, magazines, and postage stamps at a large design agency.
Designer + Web Developer at Chrometoaster Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand
December 31, 2003 - July 17, 2025
Worked at a design collective start-up that became a successful award-winning agency delivering design, layout, prepress, and web development.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Wellington University, Wellington, New Zealand
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1995

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Government, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education