About

Graphic Designer

Hello, my name is Husam Ahmed. If you’re here to grab my CV please find it here. If not, the most unique graphic designer story awaits!

My Story So Far…

The journey of an artist and designer is not always a straightforward one, but for me, it all started with a love for the arts. With a background in hand lettering and calligraphy, I stumbled upon the world of Arabic Graffiti, which became my outlet for creative expression and rebellion. And so, Caligraffiti was born.

It all started with love…

I am a talented artist and designer, combining my background in Arabic and my passion for art and design to create unique and eye-catching work. My journey started with hand lettering and calligraphy, eventually leading me to my career in Caligraffiti (a fusion of calligraphy and graffiti). I taught myself the Adobe Creative Suite and served clients internationally, creating logos, branding, and print materials.

Post it on the ‘gram…

I started posting my Caligraffiti art on Instagram and soon gained a following and started receiving orders for hand-painted art and prints from around the world. This success inspired me to bring about my art to the digital world, and I taught myself the Adobe Creative Suite to create logos, branding, and print materials for my clients.

Going digital

Embracing technology, I taught myself the Adobe Creative Suite to digitise my art and opened up a world of opportunities as I learnt about digital art online. I honed my skills daily and soon found myself serving clients globally, creating logos, branding, and other graphic design materials. With my growing network and successful Instagram presence, I knew I had found my calling as a digital designer.

Growth

I brought my passion for art and design to universities across the UK, performing live demonstrations and teaching through webinars and online classes. With my expertise in the Adobe Creative Suite, I designed assets for print and web for my clients, all while working full-time and advancing my career from a junior to a mid-senior designer.

Passion

Starting from a junior designer, I have grown to become a Mid-Senior Designer, and my career has taught me the power of passion and hard work. Without formal education, my drive to be better than yesterday and create unique designs has been my inspiration. I continue to improve my skillset with no limitations, fueled by my passion for art and design.

Career Experience

Innovative professional with strong experience in managing and creating visually appealing interface elements for a diverse range of products/applications aimed at providing enhanced user experiences.

Well-versed in conducting research and evaluating customer requirements to implement robust UI / UX ideas. Adept at defining, crafting, and evolving designs as well as developing wireframes and prototypes across various platforms. Proven capacity to establish project objectives and team goals, ensuring timely complication of deliverables.

Articulate communicator with proven ability to collaborate with multi-faceted teams for the development of products and revenue growth. Proficient in various software applications, including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD, Dimension, After Effects, Procreate, HTML5, CSS3, UI/UX, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Project types accomplished

Logos
Branding
Websites
Wireframes & Prototypes
App Design
Illustrations
UI/UX
Email Marketing Mailer (Mailchimp)
Web Banners
Amazon Store Graphics (Grids & A+)
Brochures
Posters
Signage on a large scale
2D Animation
3D Product Renders

2023 – Present

KPI Recruiting

• Drive the creation, customisation, and refinement of all branded materials including brochures, leaflets, flyers, business cards, roller banners, stationery, and other collateral.

• Respond promptly to requests from senior stakeholders, managers, and directors to produce tailored materials for client meetings, enhancing tenders, business proposals, and presentations through enhanced graphics, typography, and visual aesthetics.

• Led the conceptualisation and execution of thematic designs for business events, overseeing the development of printed materials and coordinating with printers to ensure quality outcomes.

• Develop and curate online content, including social media posts and website-related materials, while also contributing to website design to optimise user experience and brand presentation.

• Utilise analytical insights to review data and track progress, identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategic enhancements to optimise performance.

• Design and implement large-scale graphics to enhance office aesthetics, including wallpapers, frames, and signage, contributing to a cohesive and visually appealing workspace environment.

• Drive the development and production of compelling videos tailored for promotional material, social media platforms, business events, and client meeting presentations, adhering to brand guidelines and campaign objectives.

2023 – Present

Focus I.T Services

• Ensure seamless execution of all projects, guaranteeing the satisfaction of Directors and Stakeholders while adhering to company standards and meeting deadlines.

• Manage budgets and resources, successfully reducing expenditure and achieving notable results, including increased productivity through the recruitment of skilled employees, leading to higher product sales.

• Revamp outdated assets and enhance quality, extending reach through effective web and email marketing campaigns.

• Recognised for accomplishments, leading to expanded responsibilities, including managing the web development team.

• Utilise bilingual abilities for effective communication and project management, overseeing asset quality control for sister companies, ensuring adherence to company standards, and boosting engagement and revenue.

• Relay crucial information and decisions to Directors every week, showcasing capability in tracking data, performing comparative analyses, and identifying areas for improvement.

• Present analytical data gathered by teams to senior company managers and stakeholders, demonstrating improvements and areas needing attention.

• Manage both UK and international teams, demonstrating punctuality, discipline, and effective communication across time differences.

• Led the entire design team and served as project manager for both teams, collaborating with various departments, including the Amazon team, eBay team, and e-commerce teams.

2021 – 2023

Skins Sexual Health/Creative Conceptions LTD

Senior Graphic/Web Designer & Marketer

• Creating/designing imagery for e-commerce and Amazon products as well as A+ pages.

• Lead designer for email marketing – designing custom mailers and templates and analysing analytical data.

• Regularly maintaining the company website by creating web banners and editing images of products while also ensuring the site is clear of bugs.

• Creating assets for print – brochures, leaflets, labels, posters, magazine ads and roller banners for events and shows.

2020 – Present (Freelance)

All Stars Walsall CIC

Managed all media, UI/UX, educational collateral and digital/print assets.

• Designed and created a website which allowed users to learn about the company and get in contact successfully, resulting in an upsurge in attaining bids and boosting revenue.

• Introduced new marketing strategy and assets, resulting in a significant increase in attendees across all workshops, successfully selling out all tickets.

• Spearheaded design for marketing assets 9social media, paid ads and posters), which grew awareness of the company with neighbouring councils, politicians and youth clubs, increasing bids and sponsorships.

2021 Jan-Aug (Contract)

Prism Design Studio

Midweight Graphic/Web Designer

• Led multiple projects and assessed teamwork, ensuring all work adhered to brand guidelines and client specifications.

• Designed wireframes for clientele, hosting meetings and presentations.

• Utilised WordPress and CPanel – creating websites and also managing maintenance of multiple sites.

2016 – 2020

Aqua Linen Commercial Laundry Ltd

Graphic Designer & Marketing Executive

• Improved lead generation by 300% from SEO and marketing via ads and print material.

• Achieved an overall 87/100 score for SEO and optimised website for faster loading, decreasing bounce rates.

• Took charge of branding, implementing brand language, theme and design – incorporated into all assets.

• Curated guidebooks and SKU catalogues using InDesign, increasing sales and improving pitches significantly.

• Passed on knowledge and experience to junior designers, increasing the overall quality of company marketing material.

2016 – 2020

Al – Farouq

• Improved overall performance by employing visual, auditory and verbal learning techniques; this boosted the average grade of all students.

• Utilised infographics, presentations and printed resources using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, improving the college’s teaching level.

• Took charge of special needs classes due to brilliance in communication and teaching methodology, achieving higher status within the institute.

• Developed e-booklets using InDesign, enhancing online students’ learning at home, and allowing more students to join, which increased revenue.

2015 – 2020

Caligraffiti

Arabic/English Artist & Graphic/Web Designer

• Sold more than 200+ pieces internationally which were all hand painted.

• Created logos and branding for multiple businesses as well as print collateral.

• Designed websites for clientele and created custom imagery for e-commerce.

• Hosted workshops and taught art as well as presented at university events and performed live in person and on live TV.

Years

Over eight years of experience ranging in a multitude of different industries and environments. I have worked within a design agency and as an in-house designer. Furthermore, I have created print and digital designs; this also covers web design.

Months at last occupation

With 16 months at my current occupation, I deal with a large portion of the design and marketing side of the company. I have experience using Adobe Suite, Mailchimp, Magento, WordPress and Shopify.

Where I want to be

By this date, I want to be an art director, leading a team of passionate designers such as myself to create trends and be unique in design. I want to be able to pass on my experience and also take charge of projects and consultations with clients.

Questions and Answers

As a unique individual, you likely bring your unique perspective, skills, and experiences to your work as a graphic designer. No two people are exactly alike, and this uniqueness can be a valuable asset in design.

Some factors that contribute to my uniqueness as a graphic designer include the following:

My style and aesthetic preferences
My education and training
My cultural background and life experiences
My areas of expertise or specialisation
My unique approach to problem-solving and creativity

By incorporating my unique qualities into my work, I can offer a fresh and original perspective that sets me apart from other designers.

As a highly skilled and experienced graphic designer, I possess a unique blend of talents and abilities that allow me to excel in various design projects. My diverse background in art and hand-lettering, combined with my expertise in typography and multilingual fluency, have given me a strong foundation in design principles and an eye for aesthetics.

I have also developed a wide range of branding, logo design, and photo editing skills, which have allowed me to thrive in various industries and projects.

My versatility, ability to adapt to different design challenges, confidence, and passion for creativity make me a valuable asset to any team or project. I am committed to delivering high-quality, innovative, and impactful designs that exceed my client’s expectations.

As a professional graphic designer, I am constantly seeking ways to improve and expand my skill set. I have a strong foundation in branding, logo design, social media, and email marketing, and I am confident in my ability to deliver high-quality designs in these areas.

In addition, I enjoy tackling design challenges such as creating brochures, presentations, and complex illustrations. While these tasks may require more time and effort, I am committed to delivering the best possible results for my clients.

I also recognise that there are certain areas where I may need to put in extra time and effort to achieve the desired results. This includes tasks such as animation, 3D rendering, wireframing, and product packaging. However, I am always willing to take on these challenges and work diligently to improve in these areas as I learn more about my craft.

Overall, my confidence and dedication to delivering top-quality designs, combined with my willingness to take on a variety of tasks and continuously learn and improve, make me a valuable asset as a graphic designer.

I greatly enjoy working within a team because it allows for shared responsibility and the opportunity to celebrate collective accomplishments.

It also allows individuals to bring their strengths together to create something greater than could be achieved individually.

Additionally, working within a team offers the opportunity to learn from others and expand one’s skillset. I have experience working within teams of various sizes, including a current team of 5 and previous teams of up to 10+.

I understand that leading a team requires different responsibilities and a higher level of accountability.

When necessary, I am confident in stepping up to take charge and creating a collective strategy within the team, assigning tasks to those who are best suited for them.

I also prioritise keeping track of timeframes and ensuring that the team stays on course.

In addition to these responsibilities, I have experience in encouraging team members and boosting morale, as well as pushing them when necessary.

I have led teams of up to 7+ in the past and currently fill the role of senior designer when needed within my current team of 6.

I have worked on a wide range of projects that have required a variety of skills, including art, graphic design, web design, and marketing. Some of my biggest projects include:

Creating a product brochure for the sales team to present to Boots, which resulted in a successful contract with the company.
Designing restaurants and shisha bars, including a 5m x 2m mural at a popular location in Birmingham – Al-Arabiya shisha lounge.
Developing assets for product listings on Amazon that were highly praised and selected to be used on the Boohoo website, a leading clothing company.

Many people ask me which design software I prefer, and while there are many different aspects to consider, these are the ones that stand out to me:
- Illustrator: This was the software that kicked off my design journey and gave me the most joy because I could manipulate my Arabic designs and create original icons, graphics, logos, and branding. It also opened up a lot of doors for me.
- Photoshop: I love using this software to explore my imagination and create effects and composite images. It’s great for all the uses it brings and the fulfilment it allows for in terms of imagination and creativity.
- InDesign: This is a recent favourite of mine because of its versatility and how easy it is to use for print design. Creating brochures, leaflets, and presentations on InDesign makes the process so much smoother, and the technical aspects like reduced PDF sizes are a big plus. Overall, InDesign is a go-to for anything related to print.