I’m a thinker.
I like nothing more than to solve a problem. Whether it be conceptually, creatively or functionally. I’m an “all-rounder”, who is more than happy leading projects and teams, and working face-to-face with clients. From the conceptualising and strategic phase of a project, to planning the IA, producing creative and art direction, and overseeing the creation. I like to get involved!

I’m a human-centered interaction designer.
I’m fascinated by all things that involve human interaction. Whether it’s in the digital or the physical world.

Innovation excites me.
Constant advances in technology mean there are regularly new tools, apps, or gadgets being released that make us think about the way we go about our everyday lives. But I’m equally as interested in something as simple as a new salt ‘n’ pepper shaker if it’s been designed in an innovative way.

I bring my own approach to projects.
I have an appreciation for the process involved in creating a user friendly and beautifully designed product or tool. I like to think I “get” the user, with insights into behavioural traits, and this helps me when working on my own projects. I love being part of a team, leading projects and excel when working in an agile setup.

I also thrive when working in a strategic capacity.
I feel I understand business dynamics and the strategic viewpoint of an organisation or brand’s product or service. Not just looking at how the user literally interacts with an application / tool / brand presence / experience, but also: what would drive them to use it? How would they use it? What would they hope to get out from it? And, what would lead them to use it again? Amongst many, many other things.

I love working with brands.
Helping them to create the best experiences for their consumers, employees or other business’. I believe brands should be completely open, honest and genuine with consumers, something that social media allows them to do perfectly – by creating dialogue and conversation directly with the people that buy their products or use their solutions. This usually means a huge cultural and behavioural change from the brand or organisation, but this change is something I enjoy trying to instil (even though it can be highly frustrating!).

Currently, I apply my skills and knowledge in the digital environment.
I realise that with advances in online technologies, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy the client. These days, anyone can make their own website (install WordPress, buy a theme, and away you go!). I realise that to survive, we need to be more innovative and thoughtful with the way we approach briefs. Gone are the days where simply beautiful design will suffice – user’s are increasingly savvy with technology, and thus expect more than just pretty looking pixels. This is a situation I thrive in.

I can write, sketch and speak.
I’m regularly writing up my concepts, ideas and designs into proposals, specs or scope documents, and it’s something I thoroughly enjoy doing. I like to sketch up my ideas, I feel it’s the best way to get a concept over without the barrier of pixel perfect design getting in the way of the idea to the client. I enjoy speaking – I regularly pitch ideas to clients, host and attend meetings, and have even presented at a couple of public talks.

My original passion was design.
Throughout early education I always enjoyed graphics and art above other subjects. Apart from maths. I felt I had a logical mind that was suited to problem solving, and my B at maths A-Level will always be one of my proudest moments. At university I decided to study something that allowed me to combine my creative skills with these logical skills. In 2006 I graduated from the University of Kent with a first class honours degree in Multimedia Technology and Design with a year in industry.

After university I moved to London.
I became the first digital designer at Cleara Communications in Clerkenwell, where I worked with large bluechip clients such as Unilever and BT on consumer facing campaigns, as well as internal communications. Cleara bought out the digital agency Now Wash Your Hands, to form Playgroup. I became senior designer and art director at Playgroup, leading digital projects for a wide range of clients including ITV, FHM, Norwegian Design Council and Mercedes-Benz.

Travel is another huge passion.
As I am writing this (8/12/09), I’m getting very excited about my upcoming travels to China, South East Asia, Australia and South America. I have been on many backpacking trips around different parts of Europe and North Africa, however, after 3.5 years working in London it’s time to see more of the world. But I’ll be back, and I’m already excited about what the next part of my career could hold for me.

View my Linked In profile to find out more about my past experience.
If you’d like to get in contact email me – jamie[at]jamiebrooker[dot]com.