Core Media Graduate Position Application

Alex Whyte

Quick Background CheckI am a 2013 graduate from IADT with an Honors Degree in Visual Communications. I am a creative thinker with a passion for advertising, communications, web design, design for print, branding, identity and illustration.

I am currently doing a part-time Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising and Online Communications with DIT.

Digital design, creativity and curiosity are all big drivers for me. Creativity comes in so many forms and I think the ability to seamlessly merge digital communications and creativity is essential. I feel embracing the digital transformation is no longer an option for anyone in this industry.

A Little Bit About Me

Hobbies & ActivitiesDoing. Growing up I wanted to do everything from archery to zorbing and I still love trying new things. At the moment I am playing GAA with Foxrock-Cabinteely and rugby with Old Belvedere rugby club. I love being active and keeping fit. I am also passionate about music, food and friends.

DesignI am extremely passionate about design. Design for me is not just about stimulating the eye, but communicating a message and improved experience through better design.

Things That I Enjoy

Web Design and DevelopmentI have designed and coded a number of websites using HTML5, CSS and JavaScipt. I have an appreciation for great design and a strong understanding of UX, wireframing and design for screen.

Adobe Creative SuiteI have developed a strong range of skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and InDesign. I have used these to develop and design communications for both print and screen.

Skills I Have Acquired

Bank of IrelandTechnical Query ManagementAug 2013-PresentMy role here involves assisting users on the Payments Plus and File Gateway systems, these are methods of making bulk payments online through uploading XML files. Mostly I am dealing with technical queries they have in relation to their file format. It is my duty to be able to advise users of any formatting problems within the code in the files and use problem solving skills to provide solutions.

Freelance Graphic DesignerVarious ClientsAugust 2013 – Present Since completing my degree with IADT I have done a number of small graphic design jobs, these are mostly illustration based cards and wedding invitations.

Office AdministratorLondisAugust 2011 – August 2013 (2 years)My duties in Londis included organising the daily cash, balancing the tills and dealing with any cash discrepancies. I was also responsble for managing and monitoring the shop ATM, taking stock, dealing with deliveries and entering delivery docket information on to the shop system.

Work Experience

Why I think you guys are great With all of the awards Core Media have won, the work you do with Junior Achievement Ireland, your emphasis on personal and career development, being voted the best work place in 2014, your drive to provide the very best service for clients, is all testament that Core Media would be an amazing place to work and would be a great company to grow with.

I would love the opportunity to be considered for one of your graduate positions and think I could be a great fit for the Core Media culture. I think that your summary of; Action, Curiosity and Togetherness make a great ethos for any working environment. I am hard working, curious, driven and would love to further develop my skills in the media and communications areas of the advertising industry.

I graduated with an honors degree in Visual Communications from IADT and I am currently doing a part time postgraduate diploma in Advertising and Online Communications with DIT. I would love to work as part of your creative team and I am keen to learn and experience all aspects that Core Media has to offer.

Why I Would Love the Opportunity

This is me selling myself to youDuring my time at IADT have developed strong skills across the Adobe Creative Suite. I have also designed and coded a number of websites using HTML5, CSS and java script. I am fascinated by the powers of online and digital technologies and think this ever-changing platform holds so much possibility for communication and interaction and I am excited to further develop digital marketing and online communication skills.

I have a strong passion for creativity and curiosity. I believe that concept and idea generation need to be at the core of any successful design or campaign, without these I think it is almost impossible to evoke a response or reaction from an audience, without this how can you expect your work have any impact on people.

I believe in the work and ethos of Core Media, I think your links with Junior Achievement Ireland are inspiring. I feel that design for social change is something that is on the up in Ireland and something I feel very strongly about, it is often our responsibility as designers and communicators to give back to the community when we can and when we can do this in smart, useful and engaging ways they will be the most rewarding.

Why I Feel You Should Consider Me

25 Beech Park Ave, Foxrock, Dublin 180861946609alexwhytedesign@gmail.com

My Contact Details

David SmithAtelier Design, Head of Visual Communications IADTContact details available upon request

Louise MurtaghTeam Leader Business Online Contact details available upon request

References

Leaving Certificate

Loreto Foxrock 2002-2009

Visual Communications, BA (Hons)

IADT 2009-2013

Advertising and Online Communications,

Postgrad Diploma DIT 2015-Present

Education

Visual CommunicationsI have also chosen to include an example piece of work from my portfolio in my application. I feel as a creative that it will give a broader view of how I work, what I am passionate about, what drives me and how I move from a creative concept to a piece of communication. The project I have chosen to feature is Charity Clarity.

My Design Projects

ChallengeI have always felt there has been a lack of transparency in the Irish charity sector and wanted to design a website that would combat this and increase accountability. It is also my desire is to provide smaller charities with a platform where they can compete with bigger charities and bigger advertising budgets. I wanted to showcase the power of using design to promote social change.

Key InsightThe charity sector in Ireland is currently unregulated and it can often be difficult to determine where the money you donate is actually going.

Design SolutionI designed a website that gives a clear and concise breakdown of a charity’s financial information, highlighting when there is information they have not made publicly available, decreasing their transparency rating. I also designed a quick view page that gave a quick overview of how different charities rank under different aspects so you can easily compare charities that do similar work. I also wanted to make it an information hub for charities including sections on recent articles about the sector, recent blogs and current events. There are also contact pages and social media links for anyone that wants to get involved.

Technical BitI designed, wire framed and built the websites myself, paying particular attention to the UX design, as a key element to the site is being able to see large amounts of financial data in a way that is easy to understand and compare. I coded the website using HTML5 and CSS, for the interactive financial data info graphic I used java script and Kinect so that there were various levels of information available depending on how much you interacted with the info graphics.

Charity Clarity

Above: Quick view page, where charities could easily be compared and transparancy levels established Above Right: interactive info graphic that broke down a charities spendingRight: Homepage with information about the site and the charity sector

Above:A full page layout from the website, showing the emphasis on UX through clarity readability and usabilityLeft: Full page layout of an info graphic, once you hover over a circle it gives you further breakdown of where those funds are spent and if there is any secondary information in this area it is then available

Outdoor promotional material Using traditonal rotating bus stop advertisments emphasising the message that CharityClarity.ie will help you decipher information that might not always be clear and assist you in making an informed donation

Thank You