James is available for hire
Hire JamesJames Gillen
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
Bristol, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
March 5, 2020
James has been in the industry since 2012, working with clients from around the globe creating bespoke websites, brands, and apps. Experienced with both large international clients and startups alike, he takes the time to truly get to know his clients, allowing him to create brands and websites that tell their story in an authentic, compelling way. This gives businesses a unique experience and provides them with an edge over the competition.
Work Experience
Senior UI/UX Designer
2016 - PRESENT
Freelance
- Worked with startups, as well as established brands such as The Wave and LK Bennett.
- Created app designs for various companies, including Col8, a new way to view action sports footage.
- Developed wireframes and user flows and worked with other designers and developers.
- Designed unique concepts for both brands and websites.
- Took concepts through to completion, creating multiple templates.
- Designed brands, brand guides, and explanations of brand use.
- Built the front-end of websites in HTML5 and CSS, SASS.
- Worked with clients worldwide, including the United States and Europe.
- Became a Merit-awarded member of The International Society of Typographic Designers. Received a four-time CSS design award, special kudos WMA for outstanding achievement. Was also a four-time Awwwards honorable mention.
- Featured on For Print Only. Became a CSS winner site of the day.
Technologies: Adobe Experience Design (XD), JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Adobe Suite, Logo Design, Brand Design, Branding, UI Design, UX Design, Creative Direction, Prototyping, Responsive Web Design (RWD), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe CC, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Web Design, Front-end, Illustration, Pattern Design, UI Patterns, UI Style Guides, Fashion, Shopping, Online Shopping, Mobile UX, Tablet UX, Tablet UI, Mobile, Mobile UI, Dashboard Design, Responsive, Icon Design, Adobe, Cryptocurrency, Packaging, User-centered Design (UCD), Interaction Design (IxD), HTML5, Asset Preparation, Sports, Sports & Recreation, Time Tracking, Location Tracking, Print Design, Agency Websites, Development, 3D, Layout Design, Design Direction, Online Banking, Cryptocurrency Payments, Cryptocurrency Exchanges, Commercial Real Estate, Affordable Housing, Typography, Surfer, Attractions, Europe, Responsive Design, Banking & Finance, Finance, Hospitality, Real Estate, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Social Media Design, Web UI, Web UX, Visual Design, Figma, Nonprofits, Charity, Software Design Patterns, Mobile App Design, Web App Design, Product Design, Design Thinking, eCommerce, Business Card Design, System UI, Conversion
Freelance UI/UX Designer
2018 - 2019
Fffunction
- Designed the direction for multiple clients, including The Wave.
- Spearheaded the concept design in the early stages of the project.
- Worked with the UX designers to create wireframes.
- Demonstrated and presented working prototypes of concepts and ideas to clients.
- Developed the front end using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Brand Design, UI Design, UX Design, Creative Direction, Prototyping, Responsive Web Design (RWD), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe CC, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Web Design, Illustration, Pattern Design, UI Patterns, UI Style Guides, Mobile UX, Tablet UX, Tablet UI, Mobile, Mobile UI, Responsive, Icon Design, Adobe, Adobe Suite, Packaging, User-centered Design (UCD), Interaction Design (IxD), HTML5, Asset Preparation, Sports, Sports & Recreation, Time Tracking, Location Tracking, Print Design, Development, Layout Design, Design Direction, Typography, Surfer, Europe, Responsive Design, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Social Media Design, Web UI, Web UX, Visual Design, Figma, Software Design Patterns, Design Thinking, Business Card Design, System UI, Conversion
Lead Designer
2017 - 2019
Gen Up Digital
- Oversaw the branding, UX, and UI design for multiple clients, including Lucy Mountain—a fitness Instagram influencer.
- Designed a recipe website and platform that allows users to choose their preferred diet, calorie intake, and other essentials and then shows them a meal plan for the following week.
- Designed multiple online course websites in the sports category.
- Designed various membership websites that allow like-minded users to connect.
- Led the branding, UX, and UI design of multiple projects.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Adobe Suite, Brand Design, Branding, UI Design, UX Design, Creative Direction, Prototyping, Responsive Web Design (RWD), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe CC, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Web Design, Front-end, Illustration, Pattern Design, UI Patterns, UI Style Guides, Shopping, Online Shopping, Mobile UX, Tablet UX, Tablet UI, Mobile, Mobile UI, Responsive, Icon Design, Adobe, User-centered Design (UCD), Interaction Design (IxD), HTML5, Asset Preparation, Sports, Print Design, Agency Websites, Development, Layout Design, Design Direction, Commercial Real Estate, Affordable Housing, Typography, Attractions, Europe, Responsive Design, Hospitality, Real Estate, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Social Media Design, Web UI, Web UX, Visual Design, Software Design Patterns, Design Thinking, eCommerce, Business Card Design, System UI, Conversion
Lead Designer
2013 - 2017
Digital Yacht America
- Developed the look at feel of the brand and worked to create assets that could be used across the web and print.
- Designed promotional material, including a multi-language catalog.
- Developed extensive portions of the website and designed and sourced the point-of-sale.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Adobe Suite, UI Design, UX Design, Creative Direction, Prototyping, Responsive Web Design (RWD), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe CC, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Web Design, Illustration, Pattern Design, UI Patterns, UI Style Guides, Shopping, Online Shopping, Mobile UX, Tablet UX, Tablet UI, Mobile, Mobile UI, Dashboard Design, Responsive, Icon Design, Adobe, User-centered Design (UCD), Interaction Design (IxD), HTML5, Asset Preparation, Print Design, Development, Layout Design, Design Direction, Typography, Responsive Design, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Social Media Design, Web UI, Web UX, Visual Design, Mobile App Design, Web App Design, Product Design, Design Thinking, Business Card Design, Brand Design, System UI, Conversion
Web Designer
2014 - 2016
Torchbox
- Worked with the in-house team to create wireframes and concept designs.
- Participated in client meetings to present UI designs and UX thinking.
- Developed the HTML prototyping and took the UI designs through to production-ready code.
- Supported younger team members and helped them develop.
- Led the design team on projects such as the British Swimming website redesign and The British Heart Foundation no smoking day campaign site.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Adobe, UI Design, UX Design, Creative Direction, Prototyping, Responsive Web Design (RWD), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe CC, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Web Design, Front-end, Illustration, Pattern Design, UI Patterns, UI Style Guides, Mobile UX, Tablet UX, Tablet UI, Mobile, Mobile UI, Dashboard Design, Responsive, Icon Design, Adobe Suite, User-centered Design (UCD), Interaction Design (IxD), HTML5, Asset Preparation, Sports, Sports & Recreation, Time Tracking, Print Design, Agency Websites, Development, Layout Design, Design Direction, Typography, Europe, Governance, Responsive Design, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Social Media Design, Web UI, Web UX, Visual Design, Nonprofits, Charity, Software Design Patterns, Product Design, Design Thinking, Business Card Design, System UI, Conversion
Education
2011 - 2014
First Class Bachelor's Degree (Honors) in Graphic Design
University of the West of England - Bristol, England
2008 - 2010
Foundation Degree of Arts (FdA) in Digital Design and Interactive Media
Bath Spa University - Bath, England
Certifications
JUNE 2014 - PRESENT
Member of the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD)
International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD)
Experience
Tools
Collaboration That Works
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