“I take a scientific approach. I try to think critically when starting projects. So I can be free from bias. Well, that’s the plan, anyway.”

I’ve been working as a senior Art Director for around 6 years at this point. The last three focused on advertising and the three previous more on digital projects. Prior to that I was Creative Director for a trade publication after working my way around Brisbane from Finished Art and Graphic Design over several years.

Addressing the ‘why’ and ‘who’ while following a process is how I find my way to a good strategy with sound tactics. 

I apply UX methods and thinking inside of the scientific method.

1. Question, 
2. Research,
3. Hypothesis,
4. Test,
5. Result.

The possibilities of crafting long-term relationships based on real world data collected first hand and testing assumptions until we can call them truths is pretty exciting.

A good few years ago I needed to complete a quota of PD. So I did a PM course. Turned out I really liked it and have been using the skills I learnt far more often that I expected. 

I genuinely think everyone should do a short course in PM. 

As a freelancer sometimes I’ll be asked if I know other freelancers that can do X. I usually do. Then I put my producer hat on and can facilitate; copy, photography, videography, editing, model building, tailoring, leatherwork, or anything really — I know some really crafty people.

Nearly 200 I think — websites designed. Yes, I counted them. 

My digital story

For my 15th birthday in 1995 I asked for a second home phone line. I claimed some used office tech from my dad’s work. I summered at a computer hardware workshop. Then I built my own 486 with two modems and set up a BBS from home. Planet X it was called. I set up distribution of games and sold subscriptions to users. I served mail and traded files. 

I ran Planet X for 3 years. There was always someone else on my computer. It was so much fun. It was my first business. I still have the first uncashed cheque from a user.

Since computer club in highschool I’ve been coding. I know these alphabet soup flavours; HTML(5), PHP, CSS, SCSS.

I also webmaster and host a few sites too.

SEO

I do; Research, Planning and directing copy, Seeking backlinks, Maintenance and reporting, and Iterative improvements. 

SEM

I do; Research, Planning, Writing, Set up, Monitoring and Reporting.

SM is an ever changing landscape. Did you hear what happened with Facebook this week? (I’ll never need to update that copy) 

That said there’s still value to experience. I’ve got some.

Sure, not for feature films of course, but I can hold my own with Premiere. 

This comes in handy when directing a shoot. I can produce animatics rather than relying on a storyboard alone. This helps sell in to the client and communicate between craftworkers.

Also if budgets are low I can get the job done.

Yes and Desktop Publishing, Finished Art, Manual Arts and more. I was trained by an old-school ad man and can use Pantones, Guache and a blade. I’m also a fine art print-maker (I was secretary of the QCA print club, la-de-da)