Thomas Gillespie

Thomas Gillespie Design / Layout / Copywrite Mr.Lacy, Selfridges, Oxford St

Mr.Lacy were approached by Selfridges, Oxford Street to create a pop-up-shop in their new shoe department over Christmas / New Year 2010.

To go with the stand, I designed this promotional small zine for customers.

The idea was to make it more than just a catalogue of laces, and include editorial content from the various

artists, street-wear shops and creative people that use Mr.Lacy laces in their work.

My intention was to make the zine something interesting that people would want to hold on to, not dispose of after one read.

The zine was printed in Cornwall onto a tactile, heavy weight recycled stock.

The zine sits on the counter of the promotional display stand in Selfridges, Oxford Street as well as being sent to retailers around the UK and Ireland for promotional purposes in their stores too.

Thomas Gillespie Design / Web / Code SJ Skatestore, Truro

http://www.sjskatestore.com

SJ’s Skateshop is the second oldest skateboard shop in the UK. They were in dire need of re-branding and re-launching into the internet marketplace.

Whilst working at The Rolling People, we re-branded SJ’z to SJ Skatestore - including logo, designed and built the online webshop and created magazine advertisements

announcing the re-launch and the new website.

The process was conducted whilst working closely with the manager and staff of the shop in Truro, Cornwall. We were very conscious not to alienate them, and the local loyal customers from the new-look shop.

Several versions and mock-ups of the website and logo

were voted upon by staff until everyone was happy with the new look.

Internet sales are steadily inclining, with dedicated employees being taken on to run the social media and content aspects of the shop.

The aim is to be the largest independent online retailer of skateboard products and accessories in the UK.

Thomas Gillespie Design / Layout International World of Workers

As a member of the International World of Workers Union, I was approached to design various internal communication materials, such as ballot papers, bulletins and flyers.

This was the first time i’ve had to work in a foreign language. Thankfully the Spanish copy was supplied to me!

The ballot paper for instance was circulated amongst all UK members.

The ballot was very important, and I was very proud to have worked on it.

This kind of work is as far removed from skateboard design as possible, and I enjoy using my design knowledge and skills on a variety of projects.

Thomas Gillespie Design / Illustration A Third Foot Skateboards

I started working for A Third Foot Skateboards part-time whilst at University. I have been skateboarding for 11 years now, and so I jumped at the chance to design them and work for a skateboard company.

My role at A Third Foot is to handle the companies graphic output, as well as film and edit videos of the team.

Above are a selection of my three favourite graphics I have designed for them.

I am most proud of the central one, as this was the first item I designed that was sold by shops around the country.

In the 2009 I organised a Summer Vacation Tour with the sponsored team riders. This was covered by

Sidewalk Magazine, and I filmed and edited a video from the trip. This increased awareness of A Third Foot, and in turn increased sales.

Thomas Gillespie Experience & Qualifications

Relevant Experience

2010 - The Rolling People, Birmingham/Cornwall.

Temporary contract at a skateboard and streetwear distributor. Involved in two large projects. Redesigning and rebuilding the B2B company website, and a complete re-brand of SJ Skateshop. This included logo design, full-page print advert in Sidewalk Magazine and a design and build of customer facing website – www.sjskatestore.com

2010 - Pure Liesure Media, Birmingham.

Full-time position at a large, busy Design, Marketing and Printing company in Birmingham. It was my job to take artwork files from the designers, ready them for print and get them printed and dispatched to the client. I learned a lot of new skills whilst working in the print room, and got a sense of the design process from another perspective.

2010 - Positive K, Birmingham.

Junior Graphic Design position for two months at Birmingham based Design & Marketing agency.

2008/Present - A Third Foot Skateboards, Birmingham.

In charge of graphic output of the company, as well as video and editing work.

Qualifications

2009 – University of Worcester BA Creative Digital Media 2:1

2005 – Kidderminster College BTEC Music Technology

2003 – Redhill School GCSE 2 x A, 2 x B’s, 6 x C’s

Awards/Achievements

2010 - The big smoke!

Promotional zine for Mr.Lacy available from the Selfridges, Oxford Street over Christmas and New Year!

2009 – Being sold in shops!

Through A Third Foot, the first range of boards I designed was put into production. I have since worked on 5 more board releases, as well as catalogue layouts, tshirt designs and video productions for A Third Foot.

2008 – On the telly!

Freelance video work for ‘Curb Surfers TV’ aired on the Extreme Sports TV channel. Focusing on the A Third Foot Skateboards factory, interviews with the owners and action footage of team riders.

2008 - Green Design Award, University of Worcester and Worcester City Council

My design solution to provide visitors and students of the University with an environmentally concious ‘Green Trail’ around the grounds was chosen as the winner by University Staff and Worcester Council officials.

Thomas Gillespie References

Tom joined us on a four week placement, which we extended to a full time position as a result of his enthusiasm and commitment to the projects with which he became involved.

Tom demonstrated an ability to think creatively in response to the brief and was quick to develop a clear understanding of the design process from initial concept to finished artwork.

I would recommend Tom as a valuable addition to any creative design team.

Jason Church

Design Director Traffic Marketing & Communications

Tom has been working at Code for some months now and shown a great passion for understanding the creative process involved with B2B brands.

His willingness to understand the marketing essentials like proposition and competition before putting mouse to mac has delivered visual communication that differentiates and prompts response.

Phil Elwell

Marketing Director Code Marketing