Skill set (21)
Christopher in a few words
Hello, I'm Christopher Dowson, a seasoned designer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. My expertise lies in branding and digital design, and I have worked with a variety of agencies and organisations across the globe to create beautiful, effective designs that resonate with audiences.
My design journey began in the late 90s, where I worked in-house for printers and publishers. During this time, I gained valuable experience and honed my skills in the field. In 2005, I decided to launch my own studio, which allowed me to take on a variety of exciting design projects and work with a diverse range of clients.
As a designer, I have a keen eye for detail and am passionate about creating designs that are both visually stunning and highly functional. I understand that design is not just about aesthetics, but about creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the audience. With this in mind, I work closely with my clients to understand their goals and tailor my designs to meet their unique needs.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with both household names and emerging businesses, helping them to establish a strong brand identity and gain a competitive edge in their respective markets. Whether it's developing a new brand strategy, creating a striking logo, or designing a responsive website, I am committed to delivering high-quality work that exceeds my clients' expectations.
In addition to my work as a designer, I am also deeply passionate about the design industry as a whole. I stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and techniques, attend industry events and conferences, and regularly share my knowledge and insights with other designers and aspiring creatives.
Overall, I'm a dedicated and skilled designer with a passion for creating exceptional designs that make an impact. If you're looking for a designer who can help you take your brand to the next level, I would love to work with you.
Experience
- My First RaygunFounder/OwnerApril 2005 - Today (20 years and 1 month)Nottingham, UKIn my freelance career I have had logos published by Taschen, spoken at numerous local and national conferences and even had my digital colouring work praised by Vanilla Ice. Around these milestones I have delivered design projects for clients in all sectors; most recently Royal Mail and The University of Nottingham.
- MyZoneBranding/Digital Design ConsultantSeptember 2020 - December 2020 (3 months)Nottingham, UKWorking alongside a top class marketing, copywriting, UX and design team on a readjustment of the Myzone brand following some incredible growth during 2020's lockdown, I was responsible for providing a layer of top-end creative design over the solid UX groundwork of the brochure and sales websites.
- ContrastHead Of DesignNovember 2018 - March 2020 (1 year and 4 months)Nottingham, UKAs Head of Design, I was responsible for developing and managing all aspects of Contrast's design and creative output. I ensured design and creative deliverables were aligned to client expectations and executed within budget and timescales. I worked with internal and external clients, pitching designs and using my 2 decades of industry experience to understand and interpret client needs. I'm the hands-on sort, and am happiest when I'm just making something (or making something better). As a huge fan of best practice - and not one to rest on my laurels - I took the time to research and implement new processes and practices to improve the efficiency of the design and creative output at Contrast.
Recommendations
Education
- Higher School CertificateUniversity of Teesside2003Creative Visualisation, Certificate of Higher Education
- BTEC National Diploma, DesignTHE SHEFFIELD COLLEGE2000BTEC National Diploma, Design