Dani Dixon
All about me
I have been a self employed Art Director / Graphic Designer / Illustrator (and loving it) for nearly 6 years. I love the mix of briefs I get to work on and no day is the same. My jobs range from board reports and infographic presentations to illustrated dinosaurs and characters. No job is too big or small, with over 22 years in the design industry I have pretty much done it all. Full rebrands, agency work, small start ups, exhibition stands, books, magazines, anything you have in mind we can discuss what you need. Just get in touch and we can go from there.
Before I became self-employed...
Hoburne
Job Title: Marketing Design Manager
April 2016 - Sept 2018
Responsible for ensuring all design jobs are completed to the highest brand standard. Jobs are briefed in from various arms of the Hoburne brand; Hoburne Holidays, Hoburne Holiday Home Ownership, Hoburne Golf, Hoburne Developments and Hoburne Decking. Working within a close marketing team I am responsible with my design team for ensuring consistency and quality reigns high across print and digital design. I work closely with Marketing Managers, Directors, creatives, digital experts and Marketing Execs to ensure the brand proposition is developing and meeting expectations. Work ranges from POS material, digital assets, signage, park refurbs, concept design to park audits and staff relations.
Key Skills
• Well organised multi- tasker
• Managing staff and workflows
• Works well to high pressured deadlines and schedules
• Team player
•Designed for a multitude of topics and mediums, print and digital
•New product launches
•Staff training and development
• Illustration
•Photography art direction, in studio and on location
•Commissioning design
Qualifications
• BA Hons Illustration - Swansea Arts Institute
•BTEC Foundation year - Bournemouth Arts Institute
• A Levels Art, English Literature, History and General Studies
My achievements
Fitness
First
Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer
Oct 2014 - March 2016
I am one of 3 designers who oversee all of the graphics requirements within the Fitness First brand. I work on print and digital jobs briefed in from throughout the whole company in the UK. My job role entails; • Creative bespoke design to brief such as z cards, flags, product branding, vouchers • Large scale external banners, wall and window graphics • iPad app design • Core campaign development • Photo retouching • Concept design • Logo and brand development• Digital presentations • Liasing with team members, club staff and print companies • Clothing/uniform design • Copy writer
• My family
• Building a successful business
• Running 20 marathons so far...
• Creating a bespoke running magazine which has been published globally
• Working on several brand launches
• Winning Team Member of the Year when at Imagine
BH Publications
BH Creative
Mongo Print
Job Title: Senior Designer
Jan 2014 - Oct 2014
I am the sole designer working across three companies, all run by the same employer. BH Publications produce our own magazines BH Exclusive and New Forest Exclusive, plus titles on the behalf of others. Clients include Chewton Glen Hotel, Cliveden House Hotel, Christchurch Harbour Hotel, The Kings Arms and sister hotels, Captains Club, Highcliffe School and many more high profile clients. The magazines are all glossy, luxury products. At BH Creative we focus on brand development, corporate material, advertising, brochures and anything else a client may require. Any print requirements are then run through Mongo Print, where I have experience in large format prints, signage and special finishes. As a part time employee I have a lot to get done each week and work tirelessly with clients to ensure everything is completed to the best of my abilities, to spec for set deadlines.
Imagine Publishing
Job Title: Senior Art Editor
2006 - Jan 2014
I progressed quickly from Designer to Senior Art Editor, during these years I've worked on a whole host of titles across the creative, gaming and computing divisions on magazines, bookazines and digital iPad projects.
My current job role is running the design team within the Bookazine department of 6 Designers and 7 Production Editors • Scheduling the workflows of all my designers and freelancers • Assigning projects suited to varying skill sets • Checking over work and ensuring each deadline is met to a continuous high standard • Creative influence and mentor within the department • My own project work • Developing brands and new launches • Interviewing staff • Staff training. The Bookazines schedule is non stop with up to 10 deadlines per month.
After working on a huge variety of projects, I have a wide knowledge of different printing requirements and understand how text and images work in harmony, ensuring all design is suited to the demographic and can adapt my style to suit.
Other skills that may interest you; Photography shoot experience
• Working with model agencies and stock libraries • Budgeting and invoicing (Excel) • Commissioning illustrators • Staff appraisals • Training and disciplinary • Writing Photoshop and design tutorials • Illustration.
