Rob Balfre
PERSONAL PROFILE
In over 6 years working in the web design industry I have gained valuable experience and knowledge in all areas of design, UI layout and front end development. I am passionate about great design and constantly seek to improve my skill set. One of my major strengths is my adaptability. I am able to jump easily from designing website mock ups in Photoshop, to HTML, CSS and JavaScript development.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
AdJug Ltd, London (October 2007 - present)
Senior Front-End Developer - www.adjug.com |
www.adjug.de
Employed to redesign and build AdJug’s front-end UI. Working closely with the product manager and .NET developers launching new sections of the site. Complicated table data and controls needed to be streamlined and easier to use. Javascript and AJAX (mostly JQuery) has been used to enhance design and usability.
Key achievements:
- Re-designed and built the company’s homepage, making it faster, clearer and simpler to sign up / login.
- Converted the site from a fixed width to flexible layout.
- Old pages using tables for layout were re-coded with CSS improving accessibility.
- Launching the German version of AdJug.
Key responsibilities:
- Concept and execution of high-level visual designs.
- Hand-crafting standard compliant XHTML/CSS.
- Deploying and configuring Javascript Libraries.
- Ensuring cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility.
Freelance Web Designer (January 2006 - September 2007)
Various web design and development projects for multiple clients.
Catalyst Productions (July 2002 - November 2005)
Web and Print Designer
Part of a small design team building and maintaining all of Catalyst’s client web and print design work.
FURTHER EDUCATION
I find the Internet to be one of the greatest places to research, study and expand my skill set. However since finishing secondary school, I have completed the following courses:
- Diploma in Computer aided Design and Animation Cavendish College, Central London
- GNVQ Advanced Art and Design Bishop Ramsey College, Ruislip
SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY
Web
I have knowledge and experience of programming in the following: XHTML / CSS, Flash,
Javascript, Ruby and Python.
Adobe Photoshop
I have been using Photoshop extensively since 1997 and consider myself to be an
expert user. I use Photoshop to create layouts for design work, as well as retouching
and manipulating photos.
Adobe Illustrator
and Freehand Although I am more comfortable with pixels rather than vectors, I have
plenty of experience creating layouts, illustrating and designing with these applications.
Adobe Flash
I have created many diverse projects in Flash including web sites, galleries, banner
advertisements, CDROMs and presentations.
Operating systems
Capable of working / experienced in Windows, Mac and Linux environments
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
All facets of design, art, photography, computers, technology, music, movies and travelling.