!NTRODUCT!ON
Let me introduce my self…
NE ! L
READ
HEAD
HELLO. I’M NEIL READHEAD.
I am a graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, photographer, art director, design consultant, and much more…
With over 30 years of professional experience I gained a broad knowledge base and skill set spanning many disciplines within the design industry. As they say “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” My experience, knowledge and skills set allows me to see the big picture while also being able to focus on the detail.
Graphic design is my bread and butter. I happiest when designing graphics for logos. The branding of business or the business of branding is where it all started for me. The successful logos then become the base of the brand. The brand components are developed around the logo to create the Brand Identity Guidelines (B.I.G.). The guidelines are an instruction manual or a “this-is-how-it’s-done” blueprint for how to use the brand components succinctly to create the brand content. The guidelines can cover anything you can think of like logotype, logomark, typography, colour palett, layouts, tone of voice, animations, audio etc. They can cover print, web, social media, product and packaging, signage and livery. The list goes on. This is all known as “Frontend”.
As a “Frontend” designer I am an experienced Web Designer. In the old days I used to hardcode sites by hand with HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript. I currently use site builders like WordPress, Squarespace, Unbounce, Shopify or which ever suites. This has made it possible for me to develop my “Backend” knowledge base learning to build shops, automated tasking and AI.
I am well versed with in house studio processes, developing internal systems, project processing and management and the tools required to deliver these tasks. I speak “Tech” and translate it into English and vice versa.
I am passionate about photography, cinematography, music, art, architecture and travel.
Read on for more…
SK!LLS
The skills that pay the bills
Work Skills:
Application Skills:
Languages:
EXPER!ENCE
Companies I have worked for and the position requirements.
DETAILS:
Company: Neil Readhead Design
Business: Design Agency
Position: Founder
Duration: 2020 – Present
Website: neilreadhead.com
Location: Wilmslow
DESCRIPTION:
NE!L READHEAD. Thats me. I am the design agency.
Initially, I set up this business to sell my services as a graphic designer and web designer. Offering graphic, web and hosting packages. But why stop there… As a Designer, I have been lucky enough to have had the chance to create many different types of work. Work including illustrations, portraits, painting, murals, graffiti, sculptures, graphic design for print and web, web design, photography and development, Photoshop and image editing, cinematography and video editing, 3D modelling and texturing and Art Direction.
I will endeavour to continue the use of these skills to build my company and portfolio and design bespoke graphics, logo design, brand identity guidelines, marketing material and social media and develop unique hardcoded and template-driven websites and email campaigns.
Let us NE!L something unforgettable!
CLIENTS:
Soroptimist International, The Pankhurst Trust, Pizza Express, The British Gymnastics Association, Piggl, Commercial Legal, Quartet Family Office, ISg PLC, Jeweller Solutions, The Jewellery Studio, Goodie Gumdrops Fashion, Arabian Nights www.88222.com Mobile Casino, Mouth Guards for Sport, Glen Tarn, Swann Micro Technology, Business Logix, Nano-Tech, Kiss Telecom, Finch Product design, Barrands Electricians, Britannia Car Leasing, Oldham Coliseum, “Clothes Show Live” Birmingham. Various bars, nightclubs, bands and record labels. Including Sub Sub, Dry Bar, 10 Bar, Zest Bar and Grill and Zinc in Manchester. Technics DJ Academy and Spirit Recording Studio. Yesterday’s/Millenium night club Alderley Edge.
DETAILS:
Company: Party Delights
Business: Online Retail
Position: Senior Designer / Art Director / Mentor
Duration: 2006 – 2020
Website: partydelights.co.uk
Location: Manchester
DESCRIPTION:
I worked as a senior designer, mentor and art director at Party Delights Ltd. and Delight Direct. “The UK’s leading online party retail store”. Working directly with the CEO/Creative Director Allison Graham, Managing Director Stephen Graham, and Technical Director Paul Shuttleworth.
I worked closely with the Design Manager Sarah Allsop. Developing the design studio’s internal systems, project processes and brief sheets. Helping build a better communication relationship between the Buying, Photography, Marketing, Social, SEO, UX, Tech, Translation and design teams.
I art directed shoots creating photography and video content for the sites. Marketing material for Email, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and other social media platforms. Bus stop and billboard advertising campaigns, Tesco Direct catalogue and numerous other publications. Design of in-house documents, signage and retail trade fair stands.
I worked with the design team to oversee an evolving set of design challenges for a growing list of features for the main website and several dynamic and responsive white labels. Including Parties”R”Us (Toys”R”Us), Funk Party (Funky Pigeon) and Tesco Party. EU sites for Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Amazon and eBay.
I designed partyware products including invitations, birthday cards, plates, cups, napkins, party boxes, room decorations, banners, balloons and a range of personalised products. Procuring and maintaining Licenses from numerous companies including Disney, Pixar, Nickelodeon, Lego, One Direction and Carte Blanche (Tatty Teddy).
I headed the design and development of Party Delights Personalised Product Range from front to back. From the customer frontend UX, the design and layout of internal systems to the design of templates and plates for the in-house printing process. Producing a range of products including personalised invitations, cards, confetti, balloons and banners.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Website design, research and development.
- Develop the design studio, internal systems, project processes and brief sheets.
- Art direction of graphic design, photography and cinematography for site content, product design, packaging, email and social media.
- Design of graphic material for advertising campaigns, site content, social media and press (flyers, poster, bus stop 6 sheets and billboard).
- Product design for licensed and non-licensed party products (Partyware, personalised cards, invitations, confetti, balloons and banners).
CLIENTS:
Disney, Disney Pixar, Star Wars, DC, Marvel, Lego, Batman, Nickelodeon, One Direction, Peppa Pig, Thomas & Friends, Barbie, Ben 10, Bing, Carte Blanche and many more.
DETAILS:
Company: S.S.R./Technics DJ Academy
Business: Media
Position: Design Manager
Duration: 2001 – 2003
Website: s-s-r.com
Location: Manchester
DESCRIPTION:
I was the Lead in-house designer for both The School of Sound Recording (S.S.R) (aka Spirit Recording Studio) and The Technics DJ Academy.
I wrote the syllabus on ‘Promotional Design and Advertising’ for Manchesters Technics DJ Academy and The School of Sound Recording. Set design briefs for students to fulfil as part of the Student Course Pack. I liaised with the Musicians and DJs, creating their promotional materials, press releases, magazine adverts, bus stop posters, large wall posters and flyers to tie in with the student course requirements.
Working their concepts through photography, art direction and preparation of finished work. Orchestrating all aspects of the design and development requirements of each brief. Assuring all students have all the materials they require to complete the project and pass their course.
I also designed the branding, stationery, marketing material, brochures, flyers, posters and magazine adverts for both the Manchesters Technics DJ Academy and The School of Sound Recording.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Write a syllabus on promotional design and advertising for student course packs.
- Write students’ briefs.
- Design and production of course promotional literature, brochures and marketing material.
- Design and production of in-house advertising and marketing material.
- Strong production knowledge.
- Clients include: DJ Mag, Mixmag, New Musical Express, New Deal and M.O.L.P
The School of Sound Recording (S.S.R), Spirit Recording Studio and The Manchester Technics DJ Academy.
DETAILS:
Company: Guardian Media Group PLC
Business: Media
Position: Production Assistant
Duration: 2003 – 2006
Website: theguardian.com/gmg
Location: Manchester
Working closely with the Production Manager, I designed adverts and set adverts and inserts for over 29 North West local weekly News Newspapers. Including the Manchester Evening News, METRO Newspapers, Home Search Magazine, Job Search and Channel M Manchester Television.
- Producing desk-top publications using Quark Xpress, InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Producing advertising imagery and editorial using Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Designing and setting adverts to meet the customer brief.
- Developing, updating and maintaining images, text and layout of regular client bookings.
- Producing illustrations for adverts using Illustrator, InDesign and Streamline.
- Text setting and Proofreading.
- Strong production knowledge.
Manchester Evening News, METRO Newspapers, Home Search Magazine, Job Search and Channel M Manchester Television
DETAILS:
Company: Kronfli Duliba Productions
Business: Media
Position: Best boy / Runner
Duration: 2000 – 2001
Website: kdproductions.tv
Location: Alderley Edge
DESCRIPTION:
Involved in all aspects of projects, from conception to completion. Working closely with all members of the team, mainly the stylist.
REQUIREMENTS:
Sourcing of materials.
Set Design and Lighting.
Theme Revisions.
CLIENTS:
British Rail, Fashion Catalogue and Phil Cool
EDUCAT!ON
DETAILS:
Course: Pro Web Design
Name: Adobe Cert. / Internet + ColdFusion
Location: Manchester
DESCRIPTION:
My HND course was mainly practical and project-based, with an emphasis placed on sketchbook development and typography. I developed core skills, communication and problem-solving. This also included Contextual Studies, Research, Conceptual Thinking and Digital Media. Other specialist subjects are listed below.
CORE UNITS:
- Advanced HTML Authoring
- Advanced CSS Authoring
- Advanced Dreamweaver
- Advanced Flash (Action Script & Animation)
- Advanced Photoshop
- Professional Web Design/CIW Site Designer
DETAILS:
Course: Higher National Diploma
Name: Graphic Design
Location: Manchester College
DESCRIPTION:
My HND course was mainly practical and project-based, with an emphasis placed on sketchbook development and typography. I developed core skills, communication and problem-solving. This also included Contextual Studies, Research, Conceptual Thinking and Digital Media. Other specialist subjects are listed below.
CORE UNITS:
YEAR 1 SUBJECTS STUDIED:
- Digital Imaging
- Graphic Design
- Art & Design Projects & Context
- Typography
- Page Layout & Desktop Publishing
- Introduction to Visual Communication
- Commercial Printing
- Introduction to Photography
- Sustainable Design
YEAR 2 SUBJECTS STUDIED:
- Design Production
- Multiple Design Briefs
- Graphic Design Projects
- Web Design Projects
- Typography Projects
- Motion Graphics
- Video Editing
- Preparing a professional portfolio and CV
- Client Initiated Design Project
DETAILS:
Name: Art and Design
Location: Stockport College
DESCRIPTION:
In my ND course, I worked through the design process. I was involved in numerous projects, design competitions and ‘live briefs’ (set by outside companies). I concentrated on generating ideas in response to creative briefs. Developing my software and practical skills, I created visuals that culminated in a Final Major Project and exhibition.
CORE UNITS:
- Visual Recording in Art and Design
- Materials, Techniques and Processes in Art and Design
- Ideas and Concepts in Art and Design
- Communication through Art and Design
- Contextual Influences in Art and Design
STUDY AREAS INCLUDE:
- Image Manipulation
- Computer Applications
- Typefaces and Letter Forms
- Typographic and Layout Design
- Information Graphics
- Website Design
DETAILS:
Course: 1st National Diploma
Name: General Art and Design
Location: Macclesfield College
DESCRIPTION:
On my 1st National Diploma course, I developed the fundamental elements of art and design practice. Namely, drawing skills (including life drawing), creating digital imagery and generic creative skills (writing, research methodologies etc.)
CORE UNITS:
ACH!EVEMENTS
Awards / Hobbies / Sports / Travel
| GCSE’s: | 8 GCSE’s Wilmslow County High School |
| Awards: | Junior Artist of the Year Red House School Norton |
| Awards: | Basketball & Tennis Coaching Award |
| Certificates: | Three-week Outward Bound Course (Aberdovey) |
| Commissions: | Wall Murals, Illustrations, Portraits & Photography |
| Hobbies: | Exploring, Getting Samps in my Passport, Travelling, Backpacking, Hiking, Moutain Biking, Cycling, Skiing, Snow Boarding, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Binge Watching TV Series and Movies. |
| • Muay Thai – 3 years Shanti Academy | • Aikido – 4 years 4th Kyu Green Belt |
| • Tennis – David Lloyds Tennis Team | • Tennis – Pownall Park (Under 21/Seniors) |
| • Tennis – Under 21 County Level | • Hockey – Wilmslow (1st/2nd/3rd team) |
| • Hockey – Disley Hockey Club (1st/2nd team) | • Basketball – Wilmslow High School Team |
| • Basketball – Stockport Atlas Team | • Basketball – Blue Johns Team |
| • Football – Wilmslow High School Team | • Athletics – Wilmslow (100m Hurdles/High Jump) |
| • Gymnastics – Eston Team (Trained with TGB) | • Gymnastics – Longlands Team |
30 Countries visited so far:
| • Australia | • Fiji | • Kiribaty | • Tenerife |
| • Austria | • France | • Laos | • Thailand |
| • Bali | • Gibraltar | • Monaco | • United Arab Emirates |
| • Bulgaria | • Greece | • New Zealand | • United States |
| • Cambodia | • Hawaii | • Scotland | • Vietnam |
| • Cyprus | • Ireland | • Singapore | • Wales |
| • India | • Isle of Man | • Spain | |
| • England | • Italy | • Switzerland |
