Louise Mathews
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About
My ambition is to bring life to my dreams and the dreams of others through my Arts and Craft. To do this I wish to harness my ever improving breadth of skill through experience and observation in the creative industry. I believe my insatiable curiosity, thirst for inspiration, enjoyment of Memetics and lateral thinking give me the ability to spot gaps in the market and act on them in an original from, making me an ideal addition to any innovation-driven company.
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Education
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Bachelor of Arts (BA) Product DesignCoventry University2009 - 2012I lead group projects for the first two years of University Degree; working closely with overseas students. Wrote up group schedules and took minutes at group meetings, making sure the team kept deadlines. As well as my degree, I was able to take an annual module in a course of my choosing, these were: Academic Writing, Second Life, and Adobe Flash
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pass Institute of applied EntrepreneurshipCoventry University2011 - 2011SPEED West Midlands/EFS –This consisted of one on one Mentoring from Entrepreneurs, as well as workshops (topics included Intellectual property, international business, etc), Networking, tutoring and funding towards our own business ideas.
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Foundation degree Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special EffectsRavensbourne College of Design and Communication2004 - 2005We were taught traditional animation, character reference sheets, storyboarding, as well as 3D modelling and animation using the software Maya
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Experience
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Freelance Plush Pattern DesignerDempsey Designs LTDNov 2012 - Jul 2013 (8 months)Working to a brief with references, formulating visuals completed made up mock up of the final soft toy. Collaborating with my client to get the product as close to what they wanted as possible, whilst using my pattern experience to design patterns easy enough for beginners and children to follow. This required documenting prototype progress with Photography as well.
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Seasonal Sales AssociateForbidden planetNov 2012 - Jan 2013 (2 months)Our strong team work kept the number of customers waiting to be served to a minimum, and good numeracy was essential in cashing up at end of day. Spare time was used to update myself on product knowledge and keep our workspace tidy. I had a genuine passion for the products I was selling, as well as the company’s ethos.
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Data Entry ClerkSercoFeb 2008 - Nov 2008 (9 months)This consisted of recording and cataloging sensitive data and trouble shooting for accurate information. This improved my communication skills as I needed to be patient and negotiate with civil servants in other departments to come to an amicable solution, and confirm details with challenging customers.
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Seasonal Sales AssociateNext Group PLCOct 2007 - Dec 2007 (2 months)Stock replenishment and Customer Care required good interpersonal skills and taking the initiative to contact nearby branches to hold products by.
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Redemptions TeamRoyal Bank of ScotlandAug 2007 - Aug 2007Faxing provisional redemption statements to solicitors and posting closure letters to customers. Working in a team we had a common goal to complete so many tasks per day.
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VolunteerRSPCAJul 2006 - Dec 2006 (5 months)Cleaning out and spending quality time with the animals; This improved my self-motivation and commitment to tasks.
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Bar StaffBarracuda GroupAug 2005 - Dec 2005 (4 months)Staying motivated and enthusiastic whilst serving challenging and vulnerable customers, and housekeeping.
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Work PlacementAKA Cartoons Studio INC.Oct 2005 - Nov 2005 (1 month)Participated in thumbnail meetings with storyboard artists, took part in props design, and received invaluable critique on my work. This hands-on experience gave me the confidence to make suggestions in project meetings, and staying in Vancouver also made me realise just how much I enjoy travelling and experiencing different countries and cultures.
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Sales AssistantThorntonsJun 2002 - Jan 2003 (7 months)The shop was co-owned by both Thorntons the confectioner, and Birthdays the Card shop.
This was where I first started to develop my communication and interpersonal skills and I did this through assisting disabled and senior customers with product choices -
Work ExperiencePwCJun 2001 - Jun 2001During the final 2 weeks of year 10, at secondary school.
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Awards
Coventry University Sept 2009 – June 2012 Annual 'Addvantage' module: Academic Writing, Second Life, and Adobe Flash
Coventry University – Institute of applied Entrepreneurship January – June 2011 SPEED West Midlands/EFS –This consisted of one on one Mentoring from Entrepreneurs, as well as workshops (topics included Intellectual property, international business, etc), Networking, tutoring and funding towards our own business ideas.
WEETU – Women’s Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit January – March 2009 Is Enterprise for me? A course in Self management, setting S.M.A.R.T goals, and teaching us to assess whether our business ideas are Viable and profitable
Since 2006 I have been creating bespoke soft toys; this began as an exercise for me; designing and working out patterns, and creating experimenting with different fabrics such as fleece and corduroy. Due to the positive feedback and requests I had received thanks to my online portfolio, in 2007 I began taking commissions to recreate the characters of clients as soft toys. As well as forming my own aesthetic, I greatly enjoy working with the styles of others and I am also very adept at illustrating to get an understanding and feel for characters, working closely with the customer to bring their ideas to life. Since 2009 I have been working to make this into a registered business and sell my work via an online shop. I have ambitions to tour appropriate fares and conventions to distribute my products, building my customer base and look into collaborating with other bespoke freelancers. -
Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@LouiseWillis, member since 2010
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Following 7
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Followers 4
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