Chris Mounsey is a friendly, sharp, self-motivated Graphic Designer, Copywriter and Creative Director with an excellent grasp of Public Relations and Marketing driven by 9 years’ extensive professional experience in all aspects of design for print and web.

More than proficient in all Desktop Publishing and Graphics applications, with expert skills in Photoshop, Freehand, Illustrator, Quark and InDesign. Proficient with HTML and CSS, both hand-coded and assisted by Dreamweaver, bolstered by some Flash and extensive Content Management Software experience.

Always articulate and with a near pedantic grasp of grammar and syntax, Chris has honed both his writing skills and his understanding of the principles and “netiquette” of Web 2.0 online communities in over two years of writing the highly-regarded Devil's Kitchen libertarian political weblog.

Chris is particularly interested in the ways in which weblogs and other online communities can assist companies, both in generating new business and in providing more responsive systems for existing clients.

Ambitious, enthusiastic and a team player who is also able to work to self-imposed deadlines whilst remaining calm and collected under pressure, Chris is currently seeking a new challenge.

PRINT APPLICATIONS

• Expert in Photoshop, Freehand, Quark and InDesign.
• Well-versed in Pagemaker, Illustrator, Acrobat, MS Office, NeoOffice.
• Aware of all practical pitfalls of submitting files for print.

WEB APPLICATIONS

• Expert in Dreamweaver, experience of Flash and Fireworks.
• Proficient in CSS and HTML, both hand-coded and assisted by applications such as Dreamweaver.
• Experience in setting up content management systems, including DruPal, Scoop, Mambo and WebsiteBaker.

CLIENT-FACING SKILLS

• Excellent client liaison skills.
• Proven ability to attract and retain clients long-term, as demonstrated by substantial portfolio of clients built up over 6 years.

FURTHER SKILLS

• Crisp, engaging, grammatically correct copywriting.
• Fast and accurate proof-reading.
• Good understanding of the basics of database and online application programming.

Freelancer: Devil's Kitchen Design, London

Dec ‘06–present

After a decade in Edinburgh, Chris has moved down to London seeking new challenges (and more interesting work!). He is currently freelancing under his old Devil's Kitchen Design monicker, with the majority of his work deriving from his Devil's Kitchen weblog.

One of his current projects is the building of a CMS website for a conglomeration of property law firms based in Russia and Eastern Europe, proving that, with the growth of broadband access, it really is possible to work at a distance.

Chris is also advising a companies on the best ways to maximise their online exposure and leverage online communities in order to drive business.

Lead Designer: Delta Sierra Too Ltd, Edinburgh

Oct ‘04–Dec ‘06

Formed by Chris with two former DS-2 employees following the collapse of DS-2 (after the MD's personal guarantee was called in). Continued to develop and maintain web applications for DS-2 clients—including Dunfermline Building Society and Barony College, Dumfries—whilst maintaining Smart Design & Print's portfolio and developing new clients.

Lead Designer: DS-2 Ltd, Edinburgh

Aug ‘04–October 04 ‘

Head-hunted by this web design and programming agency to organize and manage their projects and liaise with clients. Developed hands-on HTML and CSS skills whilst designing, managing and coding sites (including content management systems) and monitoring accessibility issues. Continued to work on Smart Design & Print's design portfolio.

Creative Director: Smart Design & Print Ltd, Edinburgh

Apr ‘03–Aug ‘04

Headhunted by Smart Design & Print from previous post at Lutton Press. Permanent position involving responsibility for liaising with clients and producing good-looking design to the client's brief. Extensive involvement in quoting for and sourcing printed materials and maintaining the computer network and application upgrade paths.

Pre-press Graphic Designer/Mac Operator: Lutton Press Ltd, Edinburgh

Nov ‘98–Apr ‘03

Permanently employed by Lutton Press Ltd, processing files for output leading to excellent knowledge of all DTP applications. Also designed materials from scratch—such as logos, stationery, brochures and postcards—for multiple clients. Remained until head-hunted by Smart Design & Print.

Fringe Marketing Manager: Edinburgh University Theatre Company, Edinburgh

May ‘98–September ‘98

Employed on a temporary contract to sell the Bedlam Theatre as a professional venue during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 1998. Came in under the £3,000 budget, and still managed effectively to sell the venue, resulting in substantial profits which allowed the company to continue its projects throughout the rest of the year.

Sep ‘90–Jul ‘95:

Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire

GCSE (1992/93)

Art/3D Design: B; English Literature: A; English Language: A; French: A; Chemistry: A; Biology: A; Physics: B; Mathematics: C; Extra Statistics Module: Pass; History: B; Latin: A

 

A Level (1995)

Art/3D Design: B; Biology: B; English Literature: B; Chemistry: C

 

Others

Jun ‘95: Awarded 2nd Senior Art Prize:  the first time in the school’s history that sculptors had won both the first and second place prize.

Sep ‘90–Jul ‘95:  Played for numerous House teams, including soccer, the Field Game, Fives and cricket.

Reading

Fantasy/Science Fiction novels: Tolkien, through Heinlein and Wynne-Jones to Iain M Banks

Social novels: In particular Anthony Powell, Evelyn Waugh, Kingsley Amis and Simon Raven

 

Current affairs

News and periodicals: news every day, usually through the BBC website and other online sources. I have subscriptions to The Spectator and Private Eye.

I also keep up on the industry through regular reading of MacUser and Computer Arts.

 

Politics

I maintain and write, under a pseudonym, a political weblog which currently attracts over 15,000 visitors a week, and growing. URL available on request.

I am also one of the founder members of the recently formed UK Libertarian Party.

 

Drama

Although I am currenly taking a bit of a break on this front, with the Edinburgh University Theatre Company, I acted, directed, teched and produced. This last involves ensuring that shows actually happen, ensuring that the team work smoothly together, that money is raised and that the show comes within budget. I have produced or executive produced forty shows, including 12 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, since December ‘96.