Curriculum Vitae

Key qualifications

I have always enjoyed using my creative skills, and I demand good results when I take on tasks. I work equally well in teams or by myself, with my sketch book or in front of the Mac – but if I have a choice, I prefer a combination.

Education

2005 - 2007 : MA Design (Graphic design), Northumbria University at Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  • Obtained distinction – best in class.
  • Undertook 30 credits of self directed research prior to completing a 60 credits graphic design project for a snowboard company, including branding, advertisement, snowboard-designs, website, design manual etc.
  • Broadened my understanding of successful brands, sellable products and eye-catching advertising campaigns.
  • Most relevant modules: Intellectual Property Rights, Creative Thinking, Research Principles, Case Study, Cross-Cultural Communication.
2002 - 2005 : BA (hons) Multimedia Computing, University of Sunderland
  • Obtained first class honours degree.
  • Final year project: Designed a website and CMS (Content Management System) for ANSA UK (Association of Norwegian Students Abroad). Learnt to communicate and collaborate with a real client; a respected organisation run
    on voluntary basis.
  • Elected modules to focus my education on graphic design for web and print.
  • Gained extensive understanding database driven websites (PHP/MySQL).
  • Most relevant modules: Advanced Web Techniques, Project Management, Multimedia Authoring, 2D and 3D Graphics, Human-Computer Interaction.
2002 : Visual Communication, NTNU Trondheim, Norway
  • A 6 months study focusing on imagery and semantics in advertising.
2001 : Webdesign / Mac Design MI (Merkantilt Institutt), Trondheim, Norway
  • Completed two 6 months courses in web design and Mac design, with a result equivalent to 1st class and upper 2nd class respectively.
1999 - 2000 : Sports and Outdoor Life, Voss Country College, Norway
  • I organised several events for about 100 students alongside attending compulsory classes.
1996 - 1999 : A Levels, Lillestroem Upper Secondary School, Norway
  • A levels in Mathematics, Information Technology and English

Professional experience

2007 - Present : Head of Design, Orange Bus Ltd
  • Responsible for sketching and finalising layout on all websites made by Orange Bus.
  • In charge of converting the layout to HTML and CSS with a high focus on validation and compatibility across browsers.
  • Participate in kick-off meetings as well as continous contact with the client throughout the design process.
2001 - Present : Freelance graphic/web designer
  • Co-founded Underscore Design in 2001.
  • Work published on www.skrogstad.no and www.underscore.no
  • Developed web pages for several companies, including custom built CMS for maintaining small to medium sized web pages.
  • Responsible for registrations, database setup and support.
  • Gained 6 years experience with a range of computer packages, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, GoLive), Macromedia MX (Dreamweaver, FreeHand, Flash), QuarkXpress, Microsoft Office and FTP-applications.
  • Achieved high skills working with HTML, XHTML, DHTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL focusing on validation according to W3C standards.
  • Experienced working with clients providing good solutions to meet their requirements.
June - Sept 2006 : Graphic designer/ Medical secretary, Blood Bank, Akershus University Hospital, Norway
  • Created and developed a newspaper advertising campaign to raise awareness about blood donation.
  • Redesigned stationery, donor ID cards, posters and brochures for an international conference in Cape Town.
  • Locum medical secretary.

Other work experience

2000 - 2004 : O'Martins Restaurant, Trondheim, Norway
  • Part-time work.
  • In charge of evening and night shifts.
1999 - 2002 : Plantasjen (garden centre) Skedsmo, Norway
  • Part-time work.

Languages

  • Norwegian : Native language
  • English : Fluent
  • French : Basic
  • Swedish : Basic
  • Danish : Basic

Position of responsibility

2003 - 2008 : Board member ANSA UK (a student organisation with approximately 1500 members across the UK)
  • Webmaster 2003 - 2007.
  • Art Director of two editions of the members' magazine "Newsletter". Circulation: 800.
  • Co-host of events (sports tournaments, job fairs, symposiums) for the members, with an average of 100 participants.
  • Co-founder of ANSA Sunderland (March 2003), a branch consisting of 70 members. Elected as treasurer in 2004, and was in charge of hosting several events for the members.
  • Auditor 2007 - 2008.
  • Winner of the Royal Award 'Vaganten' for the contribution

Interests

I enjoy spending time with friends and family. My hobbies include films, literature, photography, drawing, music and sports. I prefer winter sports – snowboarding, cross country, telemark and downhill skiing. I have travelled a lot, but would like to travel more – one of
my biggest dreams is to sail across the Atlantic.

References and certificates