Hilary Gillespie : Front-end developer (and designer!)

Employment

Current

• Front-end developer at GlobusMedia

Past

• Senior Designer at HMV
• Web production designer at Profission Partnership
• Owner at CODEBLOO Design
• Print production designer at Virgin Mobile
• Quark-Production Artist at EQAO
• Graphic Web Designer at MIST Inc.

Experience

1. Front-end developer

   GlobusMedia - (Information Technology and Services industry)

   March 2009 - Present (1 year)
   • Translated visuals provided by agency designers into compliant, CSS-based, cross-browser compatible HTML web pages
   • Skinned the in-house software applications with custom designs, using CSS, JQuery and Cold Fusion to maintain functionality and cross-browser compatibility.
   • Worked closely with back-end developers to ensure software integrity, and develop custom functionality
   • Created visuals for client branded UIs of in-house software, adhering to design specifications and branding guidelines, using Photoshop and Illustrator
   • Updated previously created client sites and mailing list templates
   • Created CMS templates for internal and public websites
   • Edited and manipulated photographs and images

2. Web production designer

   Profission Partnership - (Design industry)

   November 2008 - March 2009 (6 months)
   • Produced compliant, CSS-based, cross-browser compatible web pages from Photoshop documents designed by the creative director.
   • Updated previously created client sites and mailing list templates
   • Edited and manipulated photographs and images. Created and updated basic flash animations and presentations.

3. Owner, designer & developer

   CODEBLOO Designer - (Design Industry)

   May 1999 - October 2007 (8 years 5 months)
   • Developed custom web sites and rendered existing offline branding and corporate identities into digital, online brands
   • Hand coded website layouts to adhere to the latest W3C guidelines using (X)HTML and CSS, as well as updated older sites to validate with current browsers and devices
   • Worked directly with clients to capture information requirements and translate specifics into user-friendly graphic and interface design
   • Customised Wordpress and Blogger interfaces with unique template designs, custom CSS and tailored CMS solutions.
   • Created unique visual concepts for clients including individual graphics, logo and ID packages, brochures, flyers and magazine advertisements and prepared promotional materials for print
   • Analyzed existing HTML pages and websites for editing and/or restructuring, made recommendations for further development of new visual content in keeping with client and market expectations
   • Provided business analysis and strategy expertise for certain projects, when necessary
   • Digital photography and photo retouching
   • Designed custom operator logos, screensavers and wallpapers for various cellular handsets (Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Kyocera, LG, Sony/Ericsson)
   • Worked with Advoca Interactive and Aquent on a variety of web-based and print projects as a contractor

4. Consultant

   Aquent - (Talent Acquisition - Staffing and Recruiting)

   2006 - 2007 (1 year)
   • EQAO – Quark-Production Artist – Aug 06- Jan 07: Creating and editing Quark file and templates, including image selection, manipulation, layout, mathematical equations and implementing revisions from various departments. Pre-flight prep.
   • LCBO – HTML/CSS Coder and Front-End Designer – June 07- July 07: Updating previously created sites, creating new, web-compliant, CSS-design based sites, editing and manipulating images and creating supporting documentation to allow for other team members to update and manage the site.
   • Virgin Mobile – Designer – Print Production – Aug 07- Sept 07: Creating and editing new and older in-house designs for Virgin’s unique branding model. Worked in a very high pressure and deadline driven environment under the creative director to create edgy mobile packaging, in-store displays and V-Fest related advertising.

5. Web and graphic support

   Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - (Non-profit Organization Management)

   March 2005 - November 2005 (9 months)
   • Developed web pages and standardized layout elements and static graphic designs for front-end projects using HTML and CSS
   • Addressed project related issues and client concerns to facilitate efficient delivery of site and to guarantee optimal user experience
   • Researched and analyzed new technologies and prepared project recommendations to guide site development
   • Managed the architecture, organization and regular updates of multiple organization-hosted websites
   • Created unique promotional and corporate materials for print including folders, posters, signs and invitations

6. Graphic web designer

   Mist Inc - (Information Technology and Services industry)

   December 2000 - September 2001(10 months)
   • Created user interfaces for web-based applications that fulfilled specific business, user and brand needs
   • Facilitated the integration of front end designs into back end systems using XML
   • Communicated and worked with back end developers and marketing departments throughout the design process to ensure the interface experience satisfied the software requirements
   • Defined functionality requirements for visual aspects of POS terminal software and designed user icons based on input from sessions with clients
   • Prepared project related documentation and assisted in the development of the corporate brand

Education

1. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

   Professional Acting (BADC Advanced combat certificate - Gold)

2. Ryerson Polytechnic University

   New Media

3. Toronto French School

   Bilingual, International Baccalaureate