I'm Alex Furness, a graphic designer based in Exeter, UK.
I specialise in design and creative for tech companies.
Below explains what I do and my experiences. If you have any specifics please get in touch.
Design applications
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe XD
• AEM – Adobe Experience Manager
• Webflow
• Figma
• Sketch
• Zeplin
Work management
• Asana
• Slack
• Wrike
• Basecamp
Payment gateways
Experience in working with developers to integrate websites with:
• Stripe
• PayPal
Other
In addition to design I have also:
• Written advertisement slogans and copy
• Produced and edited videos and animations
• Created PPT templates for internal use
Adaptable
Can get along with internal processes and various file management systems. Can pick up new tools easily. Technically adept. I have set up thousands of jobs for print and digital use.
Example design work
• Website design
• Website and platform UI/UX
• Website themes and templates
• Animated sequences
• White papers
• Data sheets
• Case studies
• Display ads
• Blog images and social graphics
• Printed collateral
• Advertisements
• Promotional items
• Style guides
• Logo design
• Event graphics
• Backwalls
• Side panels
• Podium graphics
• Retractable / zap banners
• On screen graphics and animation
Example events that I have created artwork for
• BlackHat
• RSA
• InfoSec
• Gartner - Catalyst, APSS, ITxpo, Symposium
• AWS - re:Invent, Summits
• VM World
• Google Cloud Next
• Microsoft – Ignite, Build
• CloudExpo
• Oktane
• SecTor
• O'Reilly
• Silicon Slopes
• Atlassian
• HPE Protect
• UK Cyber Week
Companies that I have worked with
• Zscaler
• Arctic Wolf
• LogRocket
• Edgewise Networks
• Recorded Future
• Lytica
• enVerid Systems
• Cisco ThreatGRID
• Tamr
• AIG
• EdgeIQ
• Neotys
• Connected2Fiber
• Compuware
• Dynatrace
• Amyuni Technologies
• Tiberium Security
• Unsung
• Vision Graphics
• Xentrix
• Sparx
Brands that I have worked on in agencies
• FujiFilm
• Kyocera
• Sunseeker
• JP Morgan
• Sony Centre
I like being a creative pro in the modern age as I'm adaptable and can wear different hats.
Work history summary
• 2001 – 2004: Agency design work, London
• 2005 – 2006: Agency design work, Montreal
• 2006 – 2009: In-house designer, Montreal
• 2009 – 2011: Contract design work, Montreal
• 2011 – present: Contract design work, Exeter
• 2014 – present: Platform development, Exeter
Education
I studied Illustration in college and then Graphic Design at London Guildhall University.
Background
I started out as a graphic designer in 2001 at Inspire Creative in London. The work was mainly print design, back when websites were 800px wide sliced images exported from Photoshop. I created designs for a range of clients such as JP Morgan and Bruichladdich.
Through to 2004 I worked at Aston Publishing and was the Art Director for the Sunseeker annual. I then worked at ad agency S2 Creative Solutions on ad creative and graphic design for camera brands such as FujiFilm and Kyocera.
I moved to North America at the end of 2004 where I established myself as a contract designer, and then started working with software companies in 2006.
Amyuni Technologies hired me as an in-house designer from 2006 to 2009, to redesign their website and create promotional materials. The role evolved into producing design and also directing the marketing. I managed a small team where we executed all of the tradeshows across the United States, built up the website ranking, and managed a budget for promotional spend.
From 2009 to present I have operated as a contract designer. I moved back to the UK in 2011. I worked for companies like Dynatrace, Compuware, and Neotys through to 2016.
From 2017 onwards I have become more niche in cyber security, network security, and data mastering – working for companies such as Recorded Future, Tamr, Edgewise Networks, and Zscaler.
Whilst continuing to work as a professional designer, I have also either been involved in or built up my own startup projects. These experiences have helped grow my design skills and market awareness.
Relationships
• Able to listen to requirements
• Understand objectives
• Communicate clearly
• Build trust
• Deliver on shared goals
Mentoring
• Have assisted junior and middle-weight designers
• Supported their progression
Acumen
• Good understanding of commerce
• Experience of working with marketers and business owners
• Have supported sales teams with useful assets
Organisation
• I love putting all of the pieces together to form a layout that works
Conceptualisation
• When an inventive way is required to present a product or service I love getting under the skin of the brand and producing rounds of creative
Meticulous
• I produce clean artwork and check files meticulously
"I would definitely work with Alex again."
Companies that I have worked with being acquired
Four companies that I have worked extensively with have been acquired. This demonstrates my ability to help shape visual identities in the crucial early stages.
• Edgewise Networks by Zscaler
• Recorded Future by Insight Partners
• ThreatGRID by Cisco
• Dynatrace by Compuware
Rapid growth
In many cases the design work is being produced when a company is in a period of rapid growth. This shows that I can keep up with the moving target of marketing a growing business, and deliver designs that help get attention and bolster growth.
Some figures
• 40% year-on-year growth, Amyuni Technologies
• 42% increase in trial download with new website, Neotys
2006: Panaxion
Produced branding and literature for high-tech paint invention which helped communicate the patented concept. Led to investment and partnership pitches.
2008: Popuload
Back when RSS feeds were all the rage and computers took an age to load, I developed Popuload which presented the latest news while the loading bar progressed.
This was then later adapted as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop.
2010: Clean Energy Startup
Produced branding and video animation to visualise gamified system. Led to pilot investment.
2012: DontSendMeACard.com
I had an idea in 2012 that the cost of greeting cards could go to better use. After discussing with colleagues we later went on to build, launch, and progress greeting card alternative DontSendMeACard.
It's been a brilliant collaboration between web designers and developers, that saves on paper and does good for charities.
Building my own web platform in collaboration with a dev team has accelerated my web skills and raised a lot for good causes.
"Alex is thorough, meticulous, and proactive in gathering the right information. He goes the extra mile to ensure his designs speak to the right audience and supports the overall message. I would hire Alex again in a heartbeat."
Erin Russell, Creative Director, Arctic Wolf
"Working with Alex was always a pleasure. He delivered quality designs on time and within our budget. I would definitely work with Alex again."
Jason Bailey, Marketing, Tamr Inc.
"The designs produced for our branded cycling gear are amazing."
Adam M., Chief Information Security Officer, Arctic Wolf
"Alex's graphics work has helped me iterate our marketing collateral faster, figure out what works, and get quality materials out there to our audience."
Nagraj Seshadri, VP Marketing, Edgewise Networks
"My team and I really appreciated Alex’s professionalism, patience, and positive attitude. His flexibility and responsiveness was exactly what we needed to enhance our corporate brand."
Greg Barrette, Director of Marketing, Recorded Future
"I’ve worked with Alex on multiple presentations, specifically developing creative visual analogies for cyber threat themes. The presentations are always a success because the audience is captivated by what they see. The effect is a lasting and memorable impression to large audiences. I wouldn’t be as successful presenting technical concepts if it wasn’t for Alex’s originally designed presentations."
Levi Gundert, Vice President of Intelligence and Risk, Recorded Future
“Alex has delivered outstanding results for Amyuni Technologies.”
Dany Amiouny, President/CTO, Amyuni Technologies
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Alex who designs all of our company booths for conferences all over the world. He always exceeds our expectations. Alex is always willing to go the extra mile and never hesitates to help meet last minute deadlines. His innate creativity and understanding of design in the tech world has made him an undeniable asset to the LogRocket team."
Lauren Ostroff, People Operations and Administration Manager, LogRocket
"I have hired Alex several times because of his responsiveness, creativity, and attention to detail."
Toffer Winslow, CMO, Dynatrace Software
"Alex’s creative direction and design support for ThreatGRID's tradeshow efforts and marketing collateral helped us maintain a professional image when rapidly scaling the business shortly before being acquired by Cisco."
Nagraj Seshadri, Director of Marketing, ThreatGRID
"I have been using Alex’s graphic design services for a number of years. He has consistently worked to improve the way we convey the benefits of our products."
Jonathan Bracken, VP Marketing, Neotys
"Alex created an exceptional template to give Tiberium threat reports a very modern look. His creative ideas lead you down a path to getting the best outcome that scales well taking future needs into consideration as our business grows and services evolve."
Drew Perry, CEO, Tiberium Security
"The branding and design work developed by Alex was the face of the company which led to a successful acquisition of Dynatrace by Compuware"
John Van Siclen, CEO, Dynatrace Software
View examples of my design work and case studies of design work for specific companies.
Work Case Studies
