Live CV - Gabby Mitton

Live CV
Gabriella Mitton, Digital Media Development, 01/04/2015
I’ve always had an interest in design but through school my focus has shifted onto
computers and technology, not only do I feel that it is an advancing industry and
therefore a good one to go into but it is also an interesting industry to work in. After
studying both Product Design and ICT at A level I have an understanding of the
technology and software that is used in the industry. I have worked a lot with 3D
modelling software such as Solidworks and this has helped me to work with other
software such as Cinema 4D as I already know how to create 3D models and shapes. In
Product Design I also had to work to a strict specification to meet the client’s needs for
the product, this will help me in any project in the future as I understand the
communication that must occur between the client and the project team. I also had to
work with a client to build a database system in my ICT A level which further solidified
my ability to work with a client and meet their requirements. In ICT I learnt basic coding
but since then I have taught myself HTML and css and I am slowly learning JavaScript
and PHP.
My knowledge of coding is continuously growing and it is my main aim to improve myself
further, I have many opportunities to improve my knowledge in this area such as upcoming
workshops and the Development module. I will also carry on teaching myself outside of
classes.
Past Experiences
In April 2013 I finished my project for Product Design, this taught me how to work to a
specification and judge the finished result against that specification and also taught me
how to use software such as Solidworks and 2D Design to create a precise model of the
product I was to make. I also gained vital research skills through the development of my
ideas.
During my first year of university I completed a series of mini projects for my Creative
Practice module and also a couple of software workshops. These small projects and
workshops taught me a basic knowledge of software such as After Effects, Cinema 4D
and Premiere Pro. I learnt a lot about developing websites through my first group project
at university, we had 12 weeks to design and create a website, my group’s website was
chosen to go live and represent our year of the course.
In my second semester I had two projects that required me to use the software Unity, in
one project I made a game and used JavaScript to code it and in the second I used
JavaScript again but to create a prototype app with mini games within it. This helped me
start to learn this scripting language as I had not coded using JavaScript before these
projects.
Throughout the first semester of my second year I have been working on projects that
interest me. These have helped me to work in the area I want to have a career in and
also to develop the skills I felt I needed. I have been working to develop my skills as a
front end developer and I have learned how to use Illustrator and Photoshop to a high
standard, as well as continuing to expand my knowledge of HTML5 and CSS3. I have
been learning Unity software and JavaScript in my development lectures and have
progressed in these areas.
During the second semester I have continued to work with jQuery and have written my
own jQuery scripts as well as working with HTML5 and CSS3 more. I have also learnt a
lot more about After Effects and put my new Illustrator skills to work on more projects.
Future Opportunities
Next year of the course I will be going on work placements, I have already arranged this with
two different web agencies. In preparation for these placements I will be learning Ruby on
Rails as one of the agencies uses this language a lot. This will give me more web
development skills on top of what I have learnt this semester. The other work placement will
enable me to further my JavaScript and jQuery skills as well as learn more about using
CMS. Both of these work placements will also give me valuable experience of working in an
agency environment.
For the second semester I hope to work on a client project. This will enhance my skills at
evaluating briefs and my time management. It will also help me to further my knowledge of
web design and development. Working individually will help me to improve my skills as a
front end developer as I will be carrying out the whole project alone.