I’m currently a freelance senior integrated designer. I’ve been in the design industry for 20+ years now, and have been freelancing for 8 years. I love what I do. I’m passionate, a perfectionist, and highly organised. A good ‘housekeeper’ when it comes to file saving and following company protocol. I have a varied skill set where I can turn my hand to most briefs. Which makes me a valuable asset in studio! Experience with both online and offline marketing. From design for web, to social and email marketing, as well as UI/UX. For offline, I am used to adhering to guidelines and working across branding projects, as well as corporate documents, OOH, editorial and art direction. My vast industry experience has taken me through fast-paced design agencies, where I’m able to work under pressure and deliver on time, as well as in-house for a retail clothing company. Here, organisational skills were paramount as we often designed campaigns months in advance of each season. I’m enthusiastic, a social beast, with great time management skills. Always looking for my next creative adventure within an equally creative team. I’m used to presenting ideas and communicating with team members, as well as confidently liaising with clients and suppliers. Day to day, I’m used to taking an idea from scratch and taking it all the way to sign off. Out of office, I’m a keen paddle boarder, a lover of comedy, film and I’m a real foodie… I’m always thinking about my next meal! A fitness fanatic (studying to become a qualified strength & conditioning coach), an animal lover, and I have a side hustle where I design one-off personalised wall art and occasion stationery. I love paper… and on my travels, I collect different pieces that showcase unique print techniques and textures.

Emma Wagstaff

I’m currently a freelance senior integrated designer. I’ve been in the design industry for 20+ years now, and have been freelancing for 8 years. I love what I do. I’m passionate, a perfectionist, and highly organised. A good ‘housekeeper’ when it comes to file saving and following company protocol. I have a varied skill set where I can turn my hand to most briefs. Which makes me a valuable asset in studio! Experience with both online and offline marketing. From design for web, to social and email marketing, as well as UI/UX. For offline, I am used to adhering to guidelines and working across branding projects, as well as corporate documents, OOH, editorial and art direction. My vast industry experience has taken me through fast-paced design agencies, where I’m able to work under pressure and deliver on time, as well as in-house for a retail clothing company. Here, organisational skills were paramount as we often designed campaigns months in advance of each season. I’m enthusiastic, a social beast, with great time management skills. Always looking for my next creative adventure within an equally creative team. I’m used to presenting ideas and communicating with team members, as well as confidently liaising with clients and suppliers. Day to day, I’m used to taking an idea from scratch and taking it all the way to sign off. Out of office, I’m a keen paddle boarder, a lover of comedy, film and I’m a real foodie… I’m always thinking about my next meal! A fitness fanatic (studying to become a qualified strength & conditioning coach), an animal lover, and I have a side hustle where I design one-off personalised wall art and occasion stationery. I love paper… and on my travels, I collect different pieces that showcase unique print techniques and textures.

Available to hire

I’m currently a freelance senior integrated designer. I’ve been in the design industry for 20+ years now, and have been freelancing for 8 years. I love what I do. I’m passionate, a perfectionist, and highly organised. A good ‘housekeeper’ when it comes to file saving and following company protocol.

I have a varied skill set where I can turn my hand to most briefs. Which makes me a valuable asset in studio! Experience with both online and offline marketing. From design for web, to social and email marketing, as well as UI/UX. For offline, I am used to adhering to guidelines and working across branding projects, as well as corporate documents, OOH, editorial and art direction.

My vast industry experience has taken me through fast-paced design agencies, where I’m able to work under pressure and deliver on time, as well as in-house for a retail clothing company. Here, organisational skills were paramount as we often designed campaigns months in advance of each season.

I’m enthusiastic, a social beast, with great time management skills. Always looking for my next creative adventure within an equally creative team. I’m used to presenting ideas and communicating with team members, as well as confidently liaising with clients and suppliers. Day to day, I’m used to taking an idea from scratch and taking it all the way to sign off.

Out of office, I’m a keen paddle boarder, a lover of comedy, film and I’m a real foodie… I’m always thinking about my next meal! A fitness fanatic (studying to become a qualified strength & conditioning coach), an animal lover, and I have a side hustle where I design one-off personalised wall art and occasion stationery. I love paper… and on my travels, I collect different pieces that showcase unique print techniques and textures.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Designer / Studio Manager (In-House) at Joules Clothing Ltd
May 1, 2016 - April 1, 2017
Designed all branding and marketing collateral, managed a busy studio, and signed off work before print. Produced graphics across shows, retail, trade and direct, collaborating with digital team, illustrators and product team to create catalogues, look books, acquisition pieces, adverts and retail POS. Managed the team with regular one-to-ones and 6-month reviews. Turnarounds were fast and campaigns were concepted months before launch.
Senior UI Artist at Codemasters Software Ltd
January 1, 2013 - May 1, 2016
Senior UI Artist / Creative Graphic Designer for racing titles (Formula One, GRID Autosport, DiRT Rally) across Xbox, PlayStation and PC. Conceptualised screen layouts, set up grids, contributed to style guides, and designed animation, icons, logos and menus. Implemented designs into game assets using 3D software (3DS Max) and Unity, in close collaboration with programmers to ensure content functioned correctly and intuitively.
Art Director (Agency) at Cogent Elliot
March 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013
Fast-paced agency work across multiple brands. Collaborated with art directors, copywriters and the creative director. Projects ranged from brand identity to taxi wraps, brochures, exhibition launch materials, direct mail and outdoor advertising. Managed projects from concept to print, scoped photo shoots, liaised with printers/paper reps, and attended press events.
Senior Creative Designer (Agency) at Rave Communications
May 1, 2008 - March 1, 2010
Worked within a team of designers to grow work for pitches. Clients included DHL, Cisco, Polaris, Victory Motor Cycles, South Birmingham College, Irwin & the Birmingham Bull Ring Markets. Took on temporary Studio Manager duties, handling workload, first point of contact with Account Managers, and briefs into the studio. Verified all work before client delivery with strong time management and accuracy.
Senior Creative Designer (for Opus Publishing) (Agency) at Kraken Creative
December 1, 2005 - May 1, 2008
Worked on Opus Publishing projects with major brands such as NFL, Vivienne Westwood, Formula One, Arsenal, and more. Responsibilities included design, conceptual work, liaising with printers/paper reps, and art direction. Travel opportunities included visiting NFL offices in New York while working on the NFL Super Bowl Opus.
Junior Designer to Mid-Weight Graphic Designer (In-House) at Printing.com
November 1, 2004 - December 1, 2005
Entry-level to mid-weight graphic design role at a franchise/house environment. Gained experience in client relations, print processes, and delivering design solutions to fit business needs, across Birmingham and Coventry stores.
Senior UI Artist / Creative Graphic Designer at Codemasters Software Ltd
January 1, 2013 - May 1, 2016
Designed racing titles (Formula One, GRID Autosport, DiRT Rally) for Xbox, PlayStation and PC; concepted screen layouts and built style guides; created animation, icons and menus; collaborated with programmers to integrate assets in-game using 3D software (3DS Max, Unity).
Senior Creative Designer at Rave Communications
May 1, 2008 - March 1, 2010
Collaborated in a team of seven on pitches and campaigns; produced work for DHL, Cisco, Polaris, South Birmingham College, and more; oversaw briefs, timelines and studio workflow; mentored junior designers; served as temporary Studio Manager.
Senior Creative Designer (Opus Publishing) at Kraken Creative
December 1, 2005 - May 1, 2008
Design and concept work for Opus books with high-profile brands (NFL, Vivienne Westwood, Formula One); liaised with printers and paper reps; travelled for key shoots and events (e.g., NFL Super Bowl Opus); projects typically 12–18 months.
Senior UI Artist / Creative Graphic Designer (In-House) at Codemasters Software Ltd
January 1, 2013 - May 1, 2016
Designed racing titles such as Formula One, Grid AutoSport and DiRT Rally for Xbox, PlayStation and PC. Conceptualised screen layouts, grids and front-end style guides; animation, icon, logo and menu design. Implemented designs into the game using 3DS Max and Unity, collaborating with programmers to ensure content displayed and functioned intuitively.
Senior Creative Designer (For 'Opus' Publishing) (Agency) at Kraken Creative
December 1, 2005 - May 1, 2008
Worked on Opus publishing projects with big brands such as NFL, Vivienne Westwood and Formula One. Responsibilities included design, conceptual work, liaising with printers and paper reps, and art direction. Travelled to NFL offices in New York for the NFL Super Bowl Opus; projects typically spanned 12–18 months.

Education

BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Coventry University
September 1, 2001 - June 1, 2004
BA (HONS) Graphic Design at Coventry University, School of Art & Design
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
A-Level Art and Graphic Design at Ernesford Grange School & Community College
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2001
GCSEs at Ernesford Grange School & Community College
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1999
BA (HONS) Graphic Design 2:1 at Coventry University, School of Art & Design
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
A-Level Art and Graphic Design at Ernesford Grange School & Community College
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2001
GCSEs (9 B+) at Ernesford Grange School & Community College
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1999
BA (HONS) Graphic Design (2:1) at Coventry University, School of Art & Design
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
A-Level Art and Graphic Design at Ernesford Grange School & Community College
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2001
GCSEs (B and above) at Ernesford Grange School & Community College
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1999

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Graphic Design
September 1, 2001 - June 1, 2004
PASS - 2:1

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Gaming, Healthcare, Energy & Utilities, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Education, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other