Jessica Frances Vines Design & Illustration
I want to make things
that make people feel good.
I feel like I’ve always been a designer. Design has always been about simplicity and straightforward communication for me. A good strategy is so important.
I’ve made a point of working for people I respect and can learn from. My design philosophy is “Think first.” There’s too much branding and design out there that doesn’t say anything, or make you feel anything. I want
to make things that make people feel good.
Education
BA Multimedia Design with distinction, the Design Centre, South Africa [2002-2004]
Skills
Branding, typography, magazine design,
book design, illustration, packaging, retail campaigns, internal campaigns, event branding, front-end web design.
PROFICIENT IN ADOBE INDESIGN, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP and MUSE.
Accolades
Bronze Loerie* Corporate Identity [2012]
Judged on the the Loeries Young Creatives Award 2012 panel
Featured In Lürzer’s Archive 200 Best Packaging Design Worldwide 2010/11
Clio Finalist Packaging [2010]
Silver Loerie* Packaging [2010]
Bronze Loerie* Packaging [2010]
*The Loerie Awards are South Africa’s premier advertising awards.
Employment History
Freelance
Oct 2013 – present
Freelancing in Bristol for agencies including McCann Bristol, Mason Zimbler
and Smith+Milton.
Senior Designer, Grid Worldwide
Oct 2011 – Oct 2013
As a senior designer in the team, my responsibilities were considerable.
I was allocated key accounts to run on my own, from project planning and outsourcing, to design and art direction. I was responsible for building relationships with clients. I worked on pitches, with involvement in creative strategy and concept, execution and presentation. The work I did included branding, brand guidelines, magazine design, book design, retail and internal campaigns, packaging, illustration, events, front-end web design and brand essence videos.
In addition to my responsibilities as a creative, I took on a managerial role, which involved work allocation, creative reviews and people management. It was my responsibility to oversee production and ensure high standards in the agency’s work.
Brands: Altech Autopage, Stanlib, Tashas, AAA School of Advertising, The Loerie Awards, Gordon Institute of Business Science, Red Square, Tiger Brands, Acumen
Freelance
Jan 2011 – Sep 2011
Managing my own clients and projects, I created brands from scratch including a pop-up gallery, a new take-away restaurant and a pro bono job for a care centre for autistic children. I also worked closely with the marketing manager of Nando’s UK on special projects. On top of my own accounts, I consulted for agencies including Ogilvy, Metropolitan Republic and The Brand Union, working on various campaigns, branding, packaging design, magazine design and illustration.
Brands: Nando’s, KFC, First National Bank, FHM, True Love Magazine, Slo•Jo
Senior Designer, Breinstorm Brand Architects
Apr 2010 – Dec 2010
As a senior designer at this boutique agency that focused on publication design, fashion, architecture and the arts, I worked closely with the creative director, and was involved in all aspects of the business. Projects included branding, the design of annual reports and brochures, the redesign of magazines, the concept and design of fashion shows and other events, and the illustration of kids’ storybooks.
Brands: David Tlale, Afrisam, BASA, Antalis, the Pica Awards, Thought24 (publisher), AZA (Architecture ZA Bienniale Festival 2010)
Senior Designer, The Brand Union Johannesburg
Oct 2009 – Mar 2010
Working as a senior designer, I was schooled in branding as a science. I worked on pan-African projects, developing brands and in-depth brand guidelines. Projects included pro bono work for a charity, interior design and the design of a custom typeface for a telecommunications brand.
Brands: The Foschini Group, Great to Give, Neotel, Broadband Infraco, Scib Paints
Designer, Cross Colours
Feb 2007 – Sep 2009
Working at this below-the-line agency gave me experience in packaging, internal campaigns, promotional material, direct mailers and branding for events.
Brands: Nando’s, Virgin Money, Mastercard , Sasol, Coca-Cola, Netcare
Travel: Six months backpacking in Europe.
Designer, @126 architects
Mar 2006 – Sep 2006
I worked alongside interior designers to come up with branding and design
for various clients in the retail sector.
Travel: Four months working holiday in US.
Web Designer, Graylink
Jan 2005 – Sept 2005
My very first job involved website design, the making of web banners,
as well as Flash animation.
