CV

Professional Summary

Hi! I’m Lauren Newton and I'm a Graphic Designer, who's passionate about all things digital and print.

My focus is to ground ideas in research and theory to create bigger more exciting concepts and designs. I am fully trained in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects and Lightroom as well as hands on skills such as screen printing, book making and letter press.

So, let us work together to help get your ideas off the ground.

Skills and Adobe Suite

Infographics Motion Graphics Data Visualisation Editorial Video Editing Letter Press Branding Screen Printing Book Binding

Photoshop Illustrator InDesign After Effects Lightroom XD Large Format Printing Vinyl Printing

Work Experience

2017

RSSB - Junior Graphic Designer

I was placed within the communications department of the business. I worked closely with the existing graphic designer and shared the work load of design work given by all departments. The work varied from print to digital, with focus on interactive infographics and icons to booklets and leaflets. Again, my skills of communication, compromise and team work were utilised to allow a clear communication to be made between all the different members of the media team.

2017 - 2018

Transport for London - Junior Graphic Designer

My responsibility during my time at TFL was to lead the redesigning of a training booklet which is used by the company to welcome new employees to the company. TFL had recently gone under an entire re-brand so a new set of guidelines was to be followed to create the new booklet. My skills within communication were utilised to allow for a clear concept and intuitive to be created between the different creative departments.

2015 - present

Newton Creative - Graphic Designer

2015 - 17: British Transport Police

2016 - 17: Railway Benefit Fund

2017: RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

2017: UK Greetings

2018 - present: RFR (Rail Fraud Restitution)

2020: Thornbridge Brewery

2019 - 2020: AP Photography and Media

2020 - present: LGCHF (Letchworth Garden City Heritage Fund)

2017 - 2020: Think Road Safety

2020 - present: North Hertfordshire College

2020: Paths, Peaks and Pints

2020: Yorkshire Ambulance Service (Pride at YAS)

2018 - 2020

Rail Fraud Restitution - Designer and Interim Head of Branding

I am the lead freelance graphic designer for RFR. I have created the company’s logo, branding and design standards that are currently in use. I also continue to design for them as they develop and expand their business which has grown largely in recent months.

202o - present

North Hertfordshire College - Designer, Lecturer and Course Team Leader for Graphic Design Level 3.

My responsibilities include supporting Level 3 Graphics students by providing inclusive provision which develops their independence when using a wide range of graphical skills through digital workshops and workshops including the use of physical materials and tools. Through these digital workshops, I support the students when using Adobe Create Suite, which I am fully efficient in, as well as key IT skills that will improve their knowledge of design. Our practical workshops include screen printing, painting, lino printing, paper craft, 3D modelling, illustration and many more techniques that can broaden their concepts relating to Graphic Design.

I incorporate both theory and practise within my teaching to ensure my students have a deeper understanding of Graphic Design as a practice. I have also teached graphics-based workshops with students within Level 2 & 3 Media Level 2 & 3 Art and Design, Level 3 Fashion, Foundation and Entry 3 level students. These different classes allow me to adapt my teaching and support my own continual professional development into relevant and engaging lessons for each set of students as their individual needs differ within classes.

I have also help lead Induction with several different classes at the start of the new academic year and took part in the enrolment of new students. This included inducting students with the policy of the college, introducing them to their scheme of work and timetable and welcoming them to the college. I also took part in open evenings held through out the year and spoke to parents and students to enthuse them to enrol in our courses.

202o - 2022

North Hertfordshire College - Equality and Diversity Champion

Championing our work on equality, diversity & inclusion with colleagues. Generating and implementing innovative ideas for raising awareness, promoting respect and ensuring that all members of our community feel safe, respected and valued.

Lead designer and project lead for LGBTQ+ History Month 2021. This project included integrating key LGBTQ+, facts, history, statistics and celebration in the students bridge programme and creating a creative arts project that involved students creating art work inspired by LGBTQ+ History. Whether it was through celebration or reflection, the project allows students to take responsibility and initiative in LGBTQ+ history month. I also the lead the branding and design of all art work for the resources, making sure that all work was relevant and engaging to young students. This include creating social media marketing to be posted throughout the month of February on the College’s social media.

Within the college I also co-lead the student LGBTQ+ Society, which holds a meeting once a week. We encourage and support the students to engage with the college by organising and hosting events that support both the local and wider community. Through my graphical skills, I have created many different pieces of promotional material for this society, both through print and digital design. I have also been a contributor towards the end of year online exhibition, leading the design of the site and working as part of the exhibition team to add and organise the students’ work.

2021 - present

Newton Creative - Store Owner and Lead Print Designer

Etsy store owner of Newton Creative. We create bespoke, handmade pop culture prints, including The Simpsons, Stranger Things, Lyrical prints, Wandavision, Animal crossing and many more.

We have accumulated over 1500 sales since January 2021 and have a 4.9 5 star rating.

2022 - present

Soho Print Store - Graphic Designer and Social Media Content Creator

My main responsibilities includes managing, producing and marketing Soho Print Stores sister company; Soho Gift Store. This store opened during the Covid 19 Pandemic and focuses on encapsulating the iconic Soho district in Central London through art/graphic prints and gifts My day to day activities range from designing bespoke prints and gifts for the store, marketing the store on social media, managing stock, selling to customers and managing the stores website.

Social media marketing is a key aspect of our business, and I am in charge of producing and distributing content to promote our store. These include graphic posts, videos, product placement and photography. Through the use of our social media marketing, we have been able to stretch our audience to international viewers, tourists as well as locals.

My next main role includes creating new designs and artwork for the store to sell. This includes prints, t shirts, postcards, greeting cards, stickers etc. These designs range from illustrative, infographic, typographic and graphical and aim to encapsulate Soho and it’s iconic neighbourhood including Carnaby Street, The Liberty, Soho pubs and restaurants and many others.

Customer service is also a key part of my responsibilities, from dealing with customers orders and commissions as well as making sales to in-house customers who enter our store. These range from locals to passing tourists.

During my day to day at Soho Print Store, I also undertake many different Graphic Designer responsibilities. These range from creating artwork for clients ready for print, from editorial, branding, retouching, compositions and fine art. I also take these designs through to printing process, preparing the artwork for print and then readying print finishes either for large format, vinyl, foiling or standard issue. These can then also be trimmed, creased or finished.

I have also had the opportunity to design, produce, print and apply our vinyl window display graphic and creating our front of house window display. This is key to enticing customers into our store, as well as creating a call of action for customers to explore our online store through QR codes.

Education

2015 - 2018

University Of Portsmouth

BA Hons in Graphic Design - 2:1

2020 - 2021

City and Guilds

Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training