Employment Experience

Graduating from Billy Blue Graphics college in 1995 with an ‘Advanced Diploma of Graphics Design’ my first job in the industry was at a small publication company Casper Publications. I was hired as an Art Director, and was responsibil for design and layout of their bi-monthly publication ‘Practical Hyropincs and Greenhouses’ magazine, other responsibilities included maintaining their online presence.

Back in those days HTML markup was mainly hand coded getting a little bit of help with ‘Hotdog’ web editor. I instantly was attracted to Web Design and development, as I loved being able to make my designs interactive.

After 3 years in publishing, I put the print world on the shelf (for a rainy day) and joined a company named Walmac Interactive. The now 3 strong team, it was exciting times as we could see the web explosion starting to happen . This is where I really developed my flash skills, and things started getting exciting when flash 4 came out…. ‘Action Script baby!’

After a year working at Walmac, we were aquired by Euro RSCG in Syndey, but remained working under the umbrella of Walmac. The team remained the same, we were just getting paid more and working on bigger, high profile projects. Two years later we had 9 staff at Walmac, thats when I headed over to London… for the good stuff!

‘The good stuff’…. more like ‘What stuff’. It was mid 2002 and the ‘internet bubble ‘ had popped, my expectations weren’t met, and at one point I had to pull pints at the local. That’s were I met the fella from MTV UK. After prodding him to check out my online portfolio, it wasn’t until I emailed him until he checked it out and realised I wasn’t just a pint puller.

I spent the next 3 years working in the digital department at MTV UK in their design team. I was soley responsible for all flash development, as well as working in a team on the creative. It was pretty interesting times, as I spent a lot of time experimenting around. Apart from the usual additions to the MTV.co.uk there was huge amount of other projects like TV animations, mobile applications, development applications, show microsites and new interactive development proposals. All in all it was a FUN learning experince!

I left MTV in 2006 to start my own company ‘Chop Designs Ltd’ in London, and spent a year Freelancing to digital media agencies including LBI (formely Wheel), AIS, Wunderman Interactive, Dow Carter and a host of private clients.

Feeling my roots were fading I headed back to Sydney in Nov 2007, good move that was…

Feb 2008 I ended up having a major accident smashing my left calcaneus. ‘Everything in life happens for a reason’… they say. This last year has been a major recovery plan, as things got worse when I contracted MRSA in hospital. 6 months in a wheelchair and 6 surgeries later 2008 was pretty serious for me. Thank God or Apple for my laptop and my family and friends as they supported me through those tough times.

Managing to keep working steadily on a few private jobs, as well as spending a lot of time developing my skills in 3D software, I’m currently working on my personal portfolio, and re-engaging my foot into normal activities, enabling me to get back into full-time employement.

Watch out 2009, here I come! Just hope it’s not 2010 when I get there!

L.

Musical Tastes

As a kid in the 80’s those late night infomercials selling the complete 80’s collection almost get me…. however there was no Talking Heads. In the 90’s Jimi Hendrix, Faith No More, Metallica and Pantera soon were eclisped by RAVE music. Rave soon evolved into dub and breaks, in the mid 90’s I was listening to Square Pusher and Aphex Twin (Mike and Rich…. awe). Hmm good days.

Late 90’s I moved back into minimal/progressive electronica. Club 77 in Syndey was a bit of a favourite back then The progressive was a mainstay for a while and in 2003ish I took a bit of a chill pill and enjoyed more of the ninja tune again, Nightmares on Wax, Air, Cold Cut. Being in London was good for the music soul lots of live gigs (Squarepusher 1 to remeber) and fun festivals (The Big Chill my favourite). Listening to Roots Manuva brings back work memories in 2005 06, few of my mates loved heavy breaks and fat beats… Ned and George I’m tinking of u! I musn’t forget London without the mention on Mr Scruff@The Forum and the Euro connection at the Lock Tavern, Camden… Nedi Mura?

Now days its Bon Iver, Booka Shade, Bedrock just naming the B’s…. ‘Why Can’t We Live Together‘ by Timmy Thomas is one of my all time fav’s as well as ‘Autumn Leaves‘ by Cold Cut . I can’t forget to mention Ian Brown as my all time top ‘cool dude‘ Kayne you come second! The Presets and Sneaky Sound System have been good for me in 2008. Just before I leave I must mention ‘So Far Away ‘ by John Lord Fonda it helped me get through many a night in horse piddle! O O O and of course Philip Glass.. love you!