Curriculum Vitae 2010
Below you will find a html'd version of my CV. Please feel free to contact me regarding small projects and extra work, however please also remember that I am in full time employment and quite happy in my current position and role.
About Me
- Name: Gary Finbow
- Status: Living with partner
- Driving Licence: Yes / Clean (1998)
- Current Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Qualifications
- 2.1 BA(hons) Multimedia Graphic Design
Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. - B-tec(National) Foundation Studies (Graphic Design)
Cleveland College of Art and Design, Middlesbrough, Teesside - A-levels in Media Studies and Art & Design
Middlesbrough College, Middlesbrough, Teesside
Other Qualifications include 11 GCSES, 5 'Cambridge Information Technology' certificates, NCFe qualifications in 'painting ad drawing' and various other qualifications that strengthen my artistic background.
Experience
14 years experience, I can pretty much do whatever is required of me and even advise on best practice for accessibility within the structure of the html. Focusing majority on document flow and structure without the inclusion of Javascript/css and then adding those elements as a 2nd layer to the design. I strongly believe that a site should work for the user wether or not javascript is enabled and that this is a must for any site that wishes to conform to accessibility guidelines.
I am currently investigating the accessibility and design advantages of using HTML5 (see this site). Although most browsers do not currently fully support this language, it is still important to work with bleeding edge technology in the background so that when it is used by the masses you have at least an up-to-date knowledge of its limitations and pitfalls.
Standards compliance is always key.
Technical Skills
I have experience and extensive knowledge in the following areas.
- Html
- CSS
- XML, XSLT & xPath
- Photoshop, Fireworks & Illustrator
- General Image Editing/creation techniques
- Both Mac and Windows environments
- Illustrative techniques and illustration
- Photography and Image cleanup
- Page Layout for both print and on-screen media
- Graphic Design
I have experience in the following but would not consider myself an expert, even though I use these technologies on a day to day basis. In other words I have either built sites using or heavily modified existing code to get an open source or paid for solution working how I needed it to.
- ASP.net
- C# (C-Sharp)
- Visual Basic .net
- PHP4 & 5
- Code Igniter PHP framework
- Wordpress & Textpattern Templates
- Javascript
- jQuery
- SQL
- MSSQL & T-SQL
- SEO
- Accessibility & Usability
I have used in the past or use when a project has required these technologies.
- ASP
- ColdFusion
- VBScript
- Visual Basic
- XSD
What Can I Bring to Your Company?
Being an accomplished graphic designer, illustrator, html/css coder, designer and having experience in both project management and brand deployment I have many facets to offer your company. I work well with people and I find my self both motivating and being motivated by the people around me. I work well as a team or on my own, and I gel well with people and flourish when under pressure.
Hobbies & Other Interests
I have an unmatched taste in music, and I love listening to it loud, I love to socialise and it doesn't matter if its on screen or in person I get just as much enjoyment from the guild chat of my favourite MMO to going down the pub and catching up with my friends at a weekend. I also try my hand at DJ'ing every now and again - I find this a good release for all those weekday tensions. I'm also an avid gamer and you can often find me on many game type ranging from action, adventure, beat-em-up's, RPG's, MMO's right the way to puzzle games and other quick fix arcade favourites an my iPhone.