Simon Davies CV

Personal Statement

I have worked in the new media, web and ecommerce retail sectors in a design, development and web consultant capacity for over seven years. My passion is usable, aesthetic and intelligent user interface design. I'm always looking for new, exciting opportunities to exercise my diverse skill set as well as my commercial awareness.

Work Experience

Head of Design and Front End Development at Austin Reed Group (February 2010-Current)

The Austin Reed Group comprises of three international fashion brands: Austin Reed, CC and Viyella. The group is steeped in heritage (Austin Reed has just celebrated its 110th anniversary) and thus required a sensitive approach to developing and shaping the brand on the relatively new revenue stream of ecommerce.

The role included the following:

• Defining processes for web maintenance tasks
• Liaising with various departments on project and goal related tasks
• Building relationships with external service providers
• Consulting on bespoke platform development and internal staff growth planning
• Strong understanding of copywriting and implementing SEO
• Designer and developer for all group websites, affiliated microsites, media partners and customer newsletters
• Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suit products and XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery. Strong knowledge of Actionscript, PHP and MySQL
• Heavily contributed toward a small team which increased ecommerce turnover on average across group by 312%

Lead Designer and Front End Developer for Nvisage Ltd (September 2008- February 2010)

Medium sized new media agency Nvisage provided me an excellent opportunity to showcase my business acumen. There, I planned and advised both small and international clients on how best to approach web marketing, design and development.

Ever the opportunist; I also unearthed an untapped a new revenue stream. By utilising open source solutions and drawing on my own knowledge of efficiencies in workflow, I was able to offer a low budget web design service called Nvisage Express. This model capitalised on low overheads and Nvisage gained revenue where previously they would have turned away business.

Principal of Si Davies Web Marketing (2005-2010)

Over six years working as a freelance online media consultant has given me a rounded knowledge of how to tackle creative design challenges, and market businesses effectively on the web. This knowledge, coupled with a meticulous eye for detail has also provided me the ability to scope out projects and flag possible hurdles from the planning phase. My portfolio ranges from leading charity organisations and blue chip companies, to high street fashion brands and family run businesses, and demonstrates the following services/disciplines:

• Design:
  • User interface design for Intranets/Extranets: Facilitating the needs of different user groups
  • Optimised ecommerce design: Increasing conversions by utilising calls to action, instilling trust in the brand through best practice and highly usable design techniques
  • User centric small and international website design geared around preliminary target audience research
  • Micro site design and strategy to boost traffic and exposure to niche products and services
  • Flash banners/adverts for blue chip companies, integrating with existing click through marketing software
  • Email, viral marketing strategy and implementation for leading businesses in financial, IT and fashion sector
  • Brand identity strategy, documentation and implementation
• Further skills inherent to this position include:
  • Creating and maintaining client relationships, excellent communicative skills
  • Project and time management, working within timeframe and budget
  • Excellent social and presentational skills