Ryan Howe T: 07590 430811 E: blockup@live.co.uk W: www.ryanhowe.tumblr.com
Personal Profile I am a trained designer and have had experience over the last eight years in: marketing, sales, advertising, furniture and graphic design. My strengths lie in using my honed conversational skills to extract concise information regarding a client’s requirements and desires to complete projects with efficiency. This has provided a high level of customer service and satisfaction, which has enabled me to build both strong and lasting personal and business relationships. I have a proven sales record exceeding a £1 Million target of new business in furniture and interior contracts. I have also met and often exceeded targets in my current role at a creative agency – diversifying the company’s portfolio and leading it into new market sectors. I helped devise, implement and develop my previous employer’s marketing strategy. I then successfully completed a 12 week project where I was personally responsible for designing and launching a brand for an aesthetic laser company, devising and implementing their marketing strategy for the first year of trading. My design work has received much praise and I have been nominated for 100% Design and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) awards. I have led projects in web development and e-commerce. I have procured and led design projects for the Welsh Assembly and the BBC. I am an accomplished team member, capable of motivating others, reliable, organized, hard working, with high levels of energy and stamina, well motivated with a friendly outgoing nature – this has been reinforced by my previous employers and last year, with the ‘most valuable person’ award at Gingernut Creative.
Key Skills
Research, Reporting and Recording: An undergraduate dissertation that was graded amongst the highest in the University faculty. Confident in writing quarterly reports and evaluations in a working environment. An ability to research markets and offer products that are tailored to specific campaigns. Marketing and PR: An innovative and original approach to B2B, CRM and direct marketing. A complete understanding of the commercial viability of a project and awareness of the possibilities and constraints that will ultimately ensure success. Proven abilities in driving products and brands in diverse business sectors. I.T. Skills: PC and Mac literate. Proficient in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Quark, InDesign, 3D StudioMax, Solid Works and also several web-design packages. Organisation and Motivation: Able to self motivate without outside influence and be resourceful in approach. Maintain accurate and organised records of all endeavours, ensuring accountability at all times. Creativity: Ability to devise, develop and visually realise in a short space of time. Insight into collecting varied resources and transferring appropriately to a project. Enjoyment of working on point of sale and internal advertising projects where appropriate. An ability to approach projects from alternative perspectives, tapping into client and consumer behaviour. Presentation: Confidence in making verbal and visual presentations in both academic and commercial environments. A people person with practised and proven communication skills. A friendly, helpful character with a proficient telephone manner.
Education and Qualifications 2000 – 2004 The Nottingham Trent University, BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design. 2:1 1999 – 2000 Glamorgan Centre of Art and Design Technology, BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies. 1997 – 1999 St Alban’s R.C. High School. A levels in Art, Biology and Geography. Independent Studies in R.S. and I.T.
Recent Employment 2009 – 2011 Gingernut Creative, Marston Green, Birmingham Duties undertaken:
Campaign, marketing and communications strategy. Behavioural led social marketing. Concept design and development. Account and project management including new business.
2008 – 2009 Celtic Spirits/ The Kings Arms, St John’s Square, Abergavenny. Duties undertaken:
Marketing the company’s brand. Events organising, promotion and advertising. Graphic design, informational and promotional materials and web development.
2004 – 2007 BOF (Bridgend Office Furniture) Group Ltd, Bridgend. Duties Undertaken:
Winning new businesses by procuring contracts and tenders. General inside sales to include designing point of sale graphics and other promotional material. Marketing and assisting in developing the company’s brand. Space planning, concept boards and 3D visual presentations. Project Management.
2002 – 2003 (Year out within the degree course). Attic2/DfTA (Cardiff Wales) Ltd. Duties undertaken:
Design and concept development, Furniture manufacture. Graphic design, brand identity/ development, sales and marketing.
Voluntary Work 2007 – 2008 Yorkin Village (BriBri Indigenous Community), Talamanca Jungle, Costa Rica. 1999 – 2009 Catholic Peoples Weeks, (www.catholicpeoplesweeks.org.uk). 1997 – 2002 Welsh National Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Interests I work on a voluntary basis regularly and have done so for many years. I also love travelling and spent a year living and working voluntarily with indigenous communities in South and Central America where I set up a workshop programme to support their traditional arts and crafts, but more importantly generate income for the villagers. During this time I also worked as a mountain guide and translator which improved my written and spoken Spanish. I am a keen reader and musician. I am also an avid fan of film and film making. I enjoy most sports, both playing and watching and I am a member of a gym. Architecture is also of great interest to me. I also love to socialise and enjoy both eating out and cooking for my friends and family. I keep up-to-date with news, politics and current affairs in the daily newspapers.
References Mrs. Serena Roberts (Director), Gingernut Creative, TS2, Pinewood Business Park, Marston Green, Birmingham, B37 3TH. Tel: 0121 779 1999 Email: serena@gingernut-creative.com
Mrs. Jenifer Lewis J.P., 23, Everest Drive, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1DH. Tel: 01873 810590 jenwildacre@yahoo.co.uk
Recent Work Examples (click to view online)