Ian McGuckin
Digital Designer
Kelland, Randburg,GP
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Design for Marketing, Animation, 3D Builds and 3D Rendering
Humaninc Digital
01.2023 - Current
- WorkING as a digital, animation and website designer, creating visual and interactive content that helps brands communicate clearly and effectively. My freelance work includes designing and developing websites, producing digital graphics and animations, and ensuring that all visual elements align with the brand’s strategy and identity. I collaborate with clients and teams to translate ideas into engaging digital experiences, combining creativity with technical skills to deliver user-friendly, responsive and visually compelling designs. My role also involves refining layouts, optimizing visuals for different platforms, and ensuring that websites and digital content perform smoothly across devices while supporting marketing and business objectives.
- Building and animating web based 3d virtual platforms for client sales, conferences and various corporate functions
- Using 3d virtual and AI technology platforms for property sales, client sales, conferences and sales pitches
- Providing clients with animation, graphic, social media and web design services visually consistent with their brand and operations
- Animating and bringing to 3D virtual life shop, office and client branded 3d spaces for sales pitch and pre-build viewing purposes
- General graphic, web, 3d, electronic, virtual and social media design
Head of Design for Marketing, Animation, 3D Builds and 3D Rendering
SkillBridge Virtual Studios
06.2020 - 01.2023
- Bringing clients guests and speakers from around the world into pre-built branded 3d studios using OBS, online hosting platforms and green screen technology for conference purposes
- Building and animating web based 3d virtual platforms for client sales, conferences and various corporate functions
- Using 3d virtual technology platforms for property sales, client sales, conferences and sales pitches
- Providing clients with animation, graphic, social media and web design services visually consistent with their brand and operations
- Animating and bringing to 3D virtual life shop, office and client branded 3d spaces for sales pitch and pre-build viewing purposes
- 3D Design and animation of client products before production for look & feel purposes
- General graphic, web, 3d, electronic, virtual and social media design
- SkillBridge Virtual Studios is a brand management and development company using cutting edge methods to give business a visual edge over the competition. I made use all the latest graphic, 3D, animation and web design software to deliver effective marketing materials that promoted business in proven, effective, and innovative new ways. The clients have included well-known brands such as Ster Kinekor, Nestlé, Gabriel, Nivea, KFC, Unilever, Colgate, Milo, Omo and many more.
Head of Design for Marketing, Animation, 3D Builds and 3D Rendering
Tower Bridge Group
01.2017 - 06.2020
- Head of Design for Marketing working hand in hand with contracted marketing firm
- Worked directly with interior designers to produce quality 3D renders
- Received brief from director of Tower Bridge on media ads, web presence and email campaigns
- Received briefs directly from Interior Design HOD regarding 3D rendering requirements
- Received briefs from marketing firm regarding marketing requirements and used these briefs to conceptualise all marketing design requirements
- Worked in 3DS Max to produce 3D renders based on a Revit Model and look and feel brief
- Participated in feedback sessions with Interior Design HOD and carried out any required changes
- Social media content production
- Logo design
- Web design
- Email campaigns
- Corporate identity
- Web presence
- Tower Bridge Group is a corporate interior design firm. I was brought in initially as a graphic and web designer to work on their clients’ brand identities from logo design to web presence and email campaigns. While working at Tower Bridge, I was expected to prove my ability to learn and excel at 3D rendering. I went on courses to develop the necessary skills such as 3DS Fundamentals and received training from interior designers. I worked tirelessly to quickly prove my competence in this field and was rewarded with the 3D rendering position. While maintaining my duties in marketing design, I worked primarily on 3D renderings for various clients including MTN, Siemens, Hyundai as well as many tender applications and pitches. During this time at Tower Bridge, my 3D rendering skills have become very much a part of my design armoury. I now confidently list 3D Renderer alongside my title of Designer.
Graphic Designer, Web Designer & Animator
Catermobile Food Coaches
11.2016 - 12.2016
- Meet with clients for client briefs
- Meet with clients for client briefs
- Responsible for design process from conceptualisation through to presentation and changes/feedback up until production ready
- Vehicle branding
- Web Design
- Logo Animation
- Corporate identity development
- Corporate branding
- Food Coaches manufactured branded mobile restaurants, popularly known as “Food Truck s”. Though my time here was short, my experience was invaluable. I worked as part of a small team reporting to the Director. My role in the team involved graphic design, vehicle branding, website design and logo animation for clients. I gained valuable insights into the mobile food industry and was heavily involved in developing each client’s corporate identity and branding and reflecting this in their web presence and vehicle branding design.
Owner and Designer
Route 7 Advertising
01.1998 - 11.2015
- Building a client base and maintaining positive, productive relationships with each client
- Client meetings to establish briefs and requirements
- Conceptualisation
- Work directly with clients through any feedback and changes
- Design process through to repro
- Sourcing point of sale material
- Had cromalins produced
- Produce print mock-ups
- Logo design
- Website design
- Corporate branding
- Corporate identity
- Brochure design
- Print media design
- Video editing and production
- Product photography
- Food styling
- Animation
- Client presentations
- Copywriting
- Email Campaigns
- Starting my own freelance business gave me the opportunity to flourish as a designer as well as grow other industry skills. This includes building and maintaining client relationships, finding passion for clients’ needs and ideas and bringing them to life and the importance of consistency and hard, quality work. I maintained client relationships in a wide variety of industries and sectors, from smaller clients with simple needs such as logo design to large, reputable names. I got to be familiar with the niche requirements for many industries, from pharmaceuticals to the motor industry. I was able to amass a great portfolio of work, and worked for notable clients including SterKinekor, Playstation, Unilever, Gabriel, Samsung, KFC, Dairybelle, Cadbury, Bobcat, EXP Group and more. My complete digital portfolio is available at www.digital.humaninc.co.za. While working for myself, I expanded my skillset to include animation, 3D rendering and website design.
Graphic Designer, Web Designer & Animator
Think - DDB
01.2014 - 05.2015
- Worked directly under the Creative Director
- Meet with clients for client briefs through to presentation and changes/feedback up until production ready
- Responsible for design process from conceptualisation
- Web design
- Animation
- Video production
- Vehicle branding
- Similarly to 9-99, Think-DDB began as a client for Route 7. I was asked to come in full time as part of the creative team. At Think-DDB, I worked full time and maintained my existing Route 7 client base after hours and on weekends. At Think-DDB, my skillset was always expanding. I worked with clients such Gabriel, Supaquick, Control Instruments and Echo 4x4. I also did work for SterKinekor again for a new department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work on a television production called The Garage. I was involved in many aspects of the production from initial brand design including an animated logo and all of the point of sale material. I was involved in the on-set side of production in the capacity of art department supervision. I worked hand in hand with the post-production team in the beginning of the production process, handing my work over to be edited into the final product. This experience enhanced my skills in time management and working to deadlines. I also developed skills in working to a strict budget and learned a new kind of flexibility in the necessity to wear many different hats. After Think-DDB was sold, I worked fulltime on Route 7 until my Medical Sabbatical in December 2015
Head Designer
9-99
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Worked directly under the Creative Director
- Meet with clients for client briefs
- Responsible for design process from conceptualisation through to presentation and changes/feedback up until production ready
- 9-99 was an ad agency who worked with clients including Aspen Pharmaceuticals, Certifect and Frontline pet products. 9-99 began as a client in my freelance business, however, they valued my services to the point where they wanted me to come in for a permanent position. I worked mornings only and maintained my existing clients for Route 7 in the afternoon. The required work was substantial, so I did end up working overtime frequently and maintaining my clients in the evening. This experience taught me how to properly prioritise and gave me skills in time management.
Graphic Designer
DSM Ad Agency
11.1995 - 12.1997
- Work from briefs given by creative director
- DSM Ad Agency dealt with clients in corporate industries. Here, I worked directly under the coowner/creative director of the agency on various campaigns. The most memorable campaigns I worked on were for Bernina and Supergroup.
Graphic Designer
Two Frogs
03.1994 - 10.1995
- Ad design
- Logo design
- Menu design
- Brochure design
- Poster design
- At Two Frogs, I mainly focused on print and media design. I worked in a team of three reporting to the agency owners. I mostly worked in CorelDraw and Adobe Photoshop which allowed me to refine my skills in digital and graphic design. Two Frogs dealt heavily with clients in the corporate and restaurant sectors. This gave me a good foundation of skills that I carry through and build upon to this day.
Point of Sale Material Artist
Bakers, Bauman’s and Pyotts Biscuits
03.1989 - 11.1993
- Design and creation of all in- store promotional items
- Physically drawing up concepts and ideas
- Pitching of concepts to HOD
- Responsible for managing my assistant
- Sourcing materials for each project
- Physically assembling/painting/constructing each project
- In-store installation of promotional items
- After receiving a concise brief of an in-store promotion, I was responsible for creating any physical items that would be in store for these campaigns. I was responsible for this process from conceptualization and design through to execution and in-store Installation. I worked on a wide variety of projects, most memorably building a large scale, realistic MAC truck replica and building oversized product pack copies. Both of these creations were done from scratch, by hand.
Education
Autodesk 3DS Max Training -
Modena Design Centre
01-2019
Diploma - Graphic Design
Rudolph College of Art
01-1989
Matric - undefined
Studywell College
01-1986
Skills
I am an enthusiastic digital designer who is grateful to be able to practise what I love to do create With a passion for visual identities and digital technologies, I strive to provide both relevant and creative solutions to meet the needs and objectives of my clients
I imagine, design and develop unique brand identities, experiences and tailor-made digital solutions for all types of projects from advertising through to corporate needs
I am about building productive business relationships based on trust and work ethic excellence
I have decades of experience in the design industry both as a freelancer and in successful agencies I began my career as a material artist and over the years have grown my skillset and strive to always be learning more and keeping my abilities up to date I am largely self-taught, working through various tutorials and courses to expand my competences I believe that my work ethic and drive for excellence in everything I do makes me a valuable asset to my employer
Skill Proficiency (1 - 10) Experience (Years) Last Used
3D Rendering 8 5 Current
3D Studio Max 8 5 Current
Most Recent Version: Autodesk 3DS Max 2020
Graphic Design 10 27 Current
Adobe Photoshop 8 16 Current
Most recent Version: Photoshop PS
CorelDRAW 8 16 Current
Most recent version: Graphics Suite 2020
Adobe Illustrator 5 6 Current
Most recent Version: Adobe Illustrator 2019
Print Media 10 27 Current
Logo Designs 10 27 Current
Packaging 10 27 Current
Promotional Material Design 10 27 Current
Corporate Identity 10 27 Current
Timeline
Freelance Design for Marketing, Animation, 3D Builds and 3D Rendering
Humaninc Digital
01.2023 - Current
Head of Design for Marketing, Animation, 3D Builds and 3D Rendering
SkillBridge Virtual Studios
06.2020 - 01.2023
Head of Design for Marketing, Animation, 3D Builds and 3D Rendering
Tower Bridge Group
01.2017 - 06.2020
Graphic Designer, Web Designer & Animator
Catermobile Food Coaches
11.2016 - 12.2016
Graphic Designer, Web Designer & Animator
Think - DDB
01.2014 - 05.2015
Head Designer
9-99
01.2012 - 12.2013
Owner and Designer
Route 7 Advertising
01.1998 - 11.2015
Graphic Designer
DSM Ad Agency
11.1995 - 12.1997
Graphic Designer
Two Frogs
03.1994 - 10.1995
Point of Sale Material Artist
Bakers, Bauman’s and Pyotts Biscuits
03.1989 - 11.1993
Diploma - Graphic Design
Rudolph College of Art
Matric - undefined
Studywell College
Autodesk 3DS Max Training -
Modena Design Centre