United Kingdom

Graphic Design

UX Design

Motion Design

Copywriting

Branding

Michael Waddle

Design Team Leader

Typography

Public Speaking

Prototyping

Communication

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Critical-thinking

Empathy

Team player

Organisation skills

Presentation skills

Customer service

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Project management

Brand strategy

Design systems

Illustration

SurveyMonkey

WordPress

Youtube

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe XD

Axure

Facebook Ads

Figma

Glassdoor

HTML

InVision

Jira

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe After Effects

Confluence

Sketch

Mural

How to think about design career paths and what progression looks like for designers?

Design career path

As the Design Team Lead for one of OLIVER’s fastest-growing (and most secretive) clients, my top responsibility is ensuring that all projects and campaigns are both on-brief, and of the highest creative calibre. This includes facilitating the growth of the original squad of 5, to an onsite team of 18 designers, video editors and copywriters.

I empower my team through trust, giving them the autonomy to tackle each problem in the way they feel is best. In turn, they trust me to provide creative and visual direction to ensure the work satisfies our client's very particular needs. 

I also work closely with the other design team lead, to make sure our combined team is working collaboratively and that the right skills are being utilised on any given project. As a team we work closely with the client to share knowledge and experience, enabling us to rapidly deliver the most effective solutions for design and motion products.

We (2 x DTLs) work daily with the project manager (client side) and our nominated Oliver project coordinators to manage client expectations and project priorities, ensuring the team is adequately briefed on their tasklines.

» Creative, design and copy direction for all deliverables; storyboarding, video, animation, social content, brand development, design for print, and key visuals
» Providing leadership, mentorship and guidance for a multi-skilled design team
» Daily account management (scheduling, ticket creation, and client briefing)

Profound is a digital agency in Basingstoke with a global reach, that puts customer experience at the heart of design. With a formidable pedigree across eCommerce, website and mobile design, Profound was the obvious choice for the next step in my career.

My role is to deliver considered, user-focused and beautiful design solutions for digital environments. My biggest success within the role has been helping to develop the motion design proposition for Profound, educating both the team and our clients on how it can tell more compelling stories. Adding yet another string to our burgeoning bow! This part of my role utilises my skills in directing, filming, copywriting, storyboarding and post-production. 

The Senior Digital Designer position has quickly developed my understanding of UX, and the role that UI plays in a good customer experience. What's quite exciting is the opportunity to use my animation abilities to bolster that customer experience with considered interactions and transitions.

I am also the in-studio photographer, primarily shooting the team's headshots, and the lifestyle images on our website.

My role at Childs farm was Lead Digital Designer with a focus on content creation for social. The role utilised my skills across Video (directing, filming, storyboarding & post production), Photography (lighting directing & shooting), Animation, Rich Media Display Banner Design, HTML & CSS Coding (email, banner & web), Wireframing (UX and sitemapping), Social Media, Email Campaign Management,  and Data Collection & Management (Survey Monkey).

My best experience at OLIVER was heading out to the 3M Corporate HQ in the USA as part of a team to pitch for a large campaign in the Personal Protection market. We were successful both in winning the pitch and gaining additional work from the USA, bringing nearly $1M of extra work to the Bracknell studio.

This lead to me becoming part of the team that manages the work from the USA, liaising with marketers at 3M HQ, the team in Bracknell and an off-site satellite team of designers. 

The senior integrated role utilised my skills across video editing , animation, HTML and design for print. Part of my role is 'freelance co-ordinator', and as such I lead the induction process for new starters, work with accounts to manage their workflow and oversee their output before sharing it with the client.

Until February 2018 I was the interim Design Team Leader. This has really expanded the scope of my role; I have taken on much more team management, account handling and creative leadership, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. As part of this responsibility I also lead the team in weekly PULSE meetings to ensure strong, consistent communication within the design team and with the accounts team.

My role at Oliver was Integrated Designer on the 3M account. I am based at the 3M site in Bracknell as part of the Oliver team. The integrated role utilises my skills across video editing , animation, HTML and design for print.

I work with the 3M Oliver team to ensure strong creative output, that is always on brand.

My role as the creative designer was to produce all of the internal, strategic and tactical marketing materials. These include bespoke end-user product and zoning posters, dual branded e-shots, product catalogues, sales presentations and industry reports.

Further to my central role, I worked closely with the marketing coordinator to generate new marketing campaigns and keep the other teams up to date with the movements of the marketing team.

I contracted at Reading College for 4 months to assist with the roll out of a multi college re-brand as the Activate Learning group was formed. I worked primarily on designing literature for Reading College, but also worked on publications for Banbury and Bicester College, The City Of Oxford College, UTC Reading and UTC Oxfordshire, which all formed Activate Learning.

The role was challenging and diverse, requiring and developing my skills in; Illustration, Logo Design, Typography, Photo-editing, Brochure/Prospectus Design, Branding, Web Design and E-marketing.

Mid-weight Designer at highly creative and diverse consultancy in North London. Working with a selection of established and upcoming brands across a range of medias, including animation and 3D modelling.

Role included: account management, client facing, design for print, web & video, print management, and team leadership.

Clients:
Westway Development Trust
UCLB
Energy Saving Trust

An enjoyable role specializing in bespoke print and web designs (Logos, brochures, flyers, websites and posters), liaising with printers, quote generation, telephone support, client negotiations, database management and customer service  and basic administration

Graphic Design for all kinds of new businesses, with a focus on branding and social media.
Role included: Sourcing new clients, design for print, web & video, print management, account management, client facing and team leadership.

The creative synergy of my collective history manifested as an opportunity to make the world prettier.

Designer for a small and struggling digital and litho print studio.
Role included: design for print, print set-up, client facing, front of house / administration, marketing planning, and account management

A challenging and varied role which required liaising with clients and management, whilst maintaining the responsibility of designer. The position required excellent customer service.

Work experience in a Design company. Working with several large brands, producing a variety of design solutions, from corporate identities through to book design and packaging.

Clients:
PC World
Nestle

Graphic Design for all kinds of new businesses, with a focus on branding.
Role included: Sourcing new clients, design for print & web, print management, account management, and client facing.

Michael Waddle🇬🇧