Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Accomplishments

Additional Information

Software

Interests

Timeline

Hi, I’m

Grant Esch

UI/UX Designer - Developer

Sandton

Summary

I lead a team of talented developers and innovative creatives to create a number of solutions for our clients. I like to get dirty by designing, coding, and project planning. I solution find design and direct on UX journeys to solve complex problems for demanding and uncompromising clients. I have over 20 years experience in agency and consulting positions. I love what I do and do it well.

Overview

25

years of professional experience

2

years of post-secondary education

2

Languages

Work History

DigitalFUEL

Director

01.2007 - Current

Job overview

Consulting specialist for an number of Digital Agencies on UI/UX Strategies.
Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
Assisted with sales and marketing strategies to foster achievement of revenue goals.
Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
Remained composed and highly professional in fast-paced and constantly changing environment, effectively handling challenging situations and difficult individuals to achieve objectives.

Flume Digital Marketing
Johannesburg & Cape Town

Head of Development

01.2017 - 06.2022

Job overview

Communicated directly with customers and partners to build strong business networks and relationships.
Translated customer needs into solution requirements using powerful value propositions and negotiation skills.
Assessed current service needs and calculated product satisfaction levels to make appropriate product and service adjustments.
Developed new proposals, contracts and procedures to draw in more clients and streamline work operations.
Created cross-functional teams to promote consistent brand messaging, demand-generation programs and design tools.
Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.

Gendel Advertising
Johannesburg

Senior Graphic Designer

01.2007 - 12.2007

Job overview

Implemented design feedback from customers and internal stakeholders to improve project outcomes.
Completed in-depth product design tests using updated software tools.
Designed creative digital displays used in online advertising for local businesses.
Mentored junior designers and provided design guidance to improve standards of overall team output.
Created 3D models and animation for video games and other interactive projects.
Used cutting-edge technologies to create immersive experiences.

Graphicor
Johannesburg

Digital Graphic Designer

06.2006 - 06.2007

Job overview

Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Created digital image files for use in digital and traditional printing methods.
Developed creative design for print materials, brochures, banners, and signs.
Met with customers to present mockups and collect information for adjustments.
Mentored junior designers and provided design guidance to improve standards of overall team output.
Implemented design feedback from customers and internal stakeholders to improve project outcomes.
Created 3D models and animation for video games and other interactive projects.
Used interactive design elements to create more engaging user experience.

Hot Tomato
Johannesburg

Senior New Media Graphic Designer

01.2006 - 04.2006

Job overview

Designed creative digital displays used in online advertising for local businesses.
Employed design fundamentals when selecting typography, composition, layout, and color in design work.
Collaborated with content and marketing teams to confirm design compliance with brand guidelines.
Created logos, illustrations and typography for various organizations.
Worked with clients to gather and define requirements, establish scopes, and manage project milestones.
Created 3D models and animation for video games and other interactive projects.
Created artwork for product packaging and promotional materials.
Edited and enhanced existing artwork and graphics.
Developed original designs for print media, magazines and newspapers.

Africommunications
Johannesburg

New Media Graphic Designer

09.2002 - 12.2005

Job overview

Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Organized assets by collecting data from camera media, transcoding video, and audio files and managing file backup to digital asset management system.
Saw concepts through to completion by working to develop final edits, color and other elements in post-production process.
Combined text, video and other composited elements onscreen to create logical, coherent layouts.
Created titles, captions, graphics and templates in After Effects to give edits additional visual flare.
Set up and tested equipment prior to events, broadcasts, and recordings.
Mixed and mastered vocal arrangements and music compositions,, and optimized songs, and albums.
Collaborated with producers and performers to determine and achieve desired sound for productions.

Wideopen
Johannesburg

Graphic Designer

06.2002 - 12.2005

Job overview

Developed creative design for print materials, brochures, banners, and signs.
Completed final touches for projects such as images sizes and font selection.
Created digital image files for use in digital and traditional printing methods.
Trained and supervised new designers in advanced use of photo editing 3d software.
Met with customers to present mockups and collect information for adjustments.

O'Neill Modern Media
London

New Media Graphic Designer

09.2000 - 12.2001

Job overview

Created complex animations for smartphones, computers and websites.
Worked closely with illustrators and designers to analyze project objectives, specifications and deadlines.
Used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom to crop, invert and control light and color properties of photos.
Made CDs and crafted digital and print albums for clients and events with up to [Number] photos.
Worked with design systems to develop and present prototypes for focus group evaluation.
Designed creative digital displays used in online advertising for local businesses.
Completed in-depth product design tests using updated software tools.
Researched trends and projected industry changes to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Created artwork for product packaging and promotional materials.
Developed innovative designs for variety of clients in graphic design industry.
Created motion graphics and video content for websites and applications.
Created 3D models and animation for video games and other interactive projects.

The Consultancy House, TCH
Johannesburg

Graphic Designer

09.1999 - 07.2000

Job overview

Designed insightful and attractive MutliMedia presentations.
Incorporated new design techniques to create innovative and eye-catching displays.
Developed creative design for print materials, brochures, banners, and signs.
Met with customers to present mockups and collect information for adjustments.
Researched trends and projected industry changes to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Designed creative digital displays used in online advertising for local businesses.
Edited and enhanced existing artwork and graphics.
Created 3D models and animation for video and other interactive projects.
Created logos, illustrations and typography for various organizations.

Wetpaint Designs
Johannesburg

Graphic Designer

06.1998 - 07.1999

Job overview

Created digital image files for use in digital and traditional printing methods.
Developed creative design for print materials, brochures, banners, and signs.
Met with customers to present mockups and collect information for adjustments.
Coordinated with external vendors and suppliers to verify quality and accuracy of printed materials.
Created artwork for product packaging and promotional materials.
Created logos, illustrations and typography for various organizations.

Education

5th Dimension Visual Arts
Johannesburg, South Africa

Associate of Arts from Graphic Design

01.1996 - 12.1997

University Overview

Skills

Search Engine Optimization

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Accomplishments

Accomplishments

Content Hub - Adcorp https://insights.adcorpgroup.com/
Tsebo Workplace Design - https://tseboworkplacedesign.com/
Esquared – Excellence in Entrepreneurship - https://www.esquared.org.za/
Yamaha South Africa - https://yamaha.co.za/
Caltex https://lubricants.caltex.co.za/
DGB https://www.dgb.co.za/
Franschhoek hills spring water - https://franschhoekhills.com/
Butlers Liquer - https://butlerscocktails.co.za/
Po10c - https://po10c.co.za/
Zappa - https://zappa.co.za/
Strawberry Lips - https://strawberrylipsliqueur.co.za/
Woolworths Christmas Meals - https://woolieschristmas.co.za/
Hi-Tec - https://hi-tec.co.za/
Interceptor Boots South Africa - https://interceptor.co.za/
Magnum Boots South Africa - https://magnumboots.co.za/
Smart Skin Care Technology - Nimue https://nimueskin.com/
Charisma - https://campaigns.charismahealthcare.co.za/
SOLAL - https://solal.co.za/
Orlando Pirates IOS/Android App - URL:https://apps.apple.com/za/app/orlando-pirates-official-app/id1469888955https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orlandopiratesfc.mobileapp&hl=en_ZA
Lynca Meats - https://lyncameats.co.za/
Nedbank - https://budgetspeechcompetition.co.za/
Mergon | Nation Builder - https://proudnationbuilder.co.za/
Intenda - https://intenda.tech/

Additional Information

Additional Information

2007 IR Global Rankings Awards Nedcor group Best IR Website (Small/Mid cap) Barloworld Limitied Best website per Africa region Exxaro Best website per Africa region 2001 Making it Happen Awards (UK) Awarded the "Making it Happen Award" for outstanding contribution to advertising, for the work on the "Toyota Sat Nav" project 1997 Award for Excellence Spicer Competition, for the creative use of paper.

Software

Figma

Git

AWS

Cinema 4D

Hubspot

Salesforce

Webflow

Wordpress

Adobe Suite

Interests

Scuba Diving

Mountain biking

Motor Racing

Photography

Timeline

Head of Development

Flume Digital Marketing

01.2017 - 06.2022

Senior Graphic Designer

Gendel Advertising

01.2007 - 12.2007

Director

DigitalFUEL

01.2007 - Current

Digital Graphic Designer

Graphicor

06.2006 - 06.2007

Senior New Media Graphic Designer

Hot Tomato

01.2006 - 04.2006

New Media Graphic Designer

Africommunications

09.2002 - 12.2005

Graphic Designer

Wideopen

06.2002 - 12.2005

New Media Graphic Designer

O'Neill Modern Media

09.2000 - 12.2001

Graphic Designer

The Consultancy House, TCH

09.1999 - 07.2000

Graphic Designer

Wetpaint Designs

06.1998 - 07.1999

5th Dimension Visual Arts

Associate of Arts from Graphic Design

01.1996 - 12.1997