I have been designing since my school days, and doing it professionally since 2008. I have worked with a range of clients including national newspapers like The Irish Times and small startups like “collective social buying” startup Vavavouch.
As well as working with companies and startups, I also design for events. Some of these events have been for other geeks like me — such as Dublin Web Summit — while some have been for very successful geeks — see f.ounders for example.
What the organisers of these events and the earlier companies appreciate is that I take what I do seriously. I communicate clearly and I’m easy to work with. What they safely take for granted is that I have a depth of design knowledge, the technical skill to go with it and the experience to shepherd a project from beginning to completion.
A philosophy… of sorts
I set out every morning to design interesting things for interesting people. That is my philosophy. I chose design as my career because it promised a life far from ordinary. The result of this is that monetary payoff is rarely my reason for choosing a project. I have worked on everything from academic journals, to making little cardboard trucks that “delivered” jelly beans to my clients’ customers, while my clients range from huge multinationals to NGOs in East Africa.
Working with me
I like to keep things simple. I am honest and direct. If you are too, we’ll get along famously. I like to meet with my clients in person and get to know them. If this isn’t possible I like to talk face-to-face on Skype.
I keep my emails short, I let the designs do most of the talking. Having said that, you’ll always know what direction I am taking with a project and why. I don’t use jargon when I don’t have to, and never just to make something sound “cool”.
Process
Design is a collaborative process — the result isn’t my work, but rather the progeny of the unique interaction of your ideas and knowledge of your market and my skills and experience. That means clients have to work at the relationship too. You need to be able to talk to me about what you want from a project. You know your users better than I ever can, so I need you to help me design the best possible experience for them.
The next step
There is a whole lot more I could say, but your time is better spent looking at what I can do. If you have already seen my work and want to work with me, well don’t be shy! I love getting emails, especially from you. I can tell you’re my kind of people.