Ebony Newton
Freelance Designer
Northumberland, United Kingdom

Hi, I'm Ebony... a freelance graphic designer, specialising in gifting and greetings design. I'm based in my lovely little home studio in Northumberland right by Hadrian's Wall. I've been in the greetings and gifting industry for the past 17 years, working for, and with some of the biggest card publishers, high street chains and groceries in the country... lucky me!!!!

My work can be found in: Clintons, Paperchase, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Next, Waitrose, Hallmark Stores, Independent Card and gift shops, Moonpig, Funky Pigeon. 

My style is quite versatile, I can turn my hand to many styles, but my strength and passion lies in my hand lettering and bold graphic style. 

My passion is hand lettering and I love mark making too... there's something lovely about making unique letterforms and shapes that don't exist anywhere else, don't you think? I also have my own product based business, Dotty Black which celebrates a parenthood journey through bright and bold card, gifts and prints. You can find my shop at: www.dottyblack.co.uk

When I'm not working I'm taking care of my mini army of Newton's... well just my two boys really but they feel like an army sometimes when they gang up on me! 

 I love what I do, I hope you like it too... if you ever wish to work with me please drop me a line... I'd be happy to assist!


Work Experience
Ebony Newton Design // Freelance Designer // 2014 - Present
Clients include:
• Pigment Productions
• Hallmark Cards PLC
• UK Greetings
• The Great British Card Company
• Happy Jackson
• Fox's Biscuits (2 Sisters Food Group)
• For the Love of the North, Whitley Bay

• Mr Wolf, Hexham


Hallmark Cards PLC // Senior Designer // April 2007 - Aug 2014
(Promotion to Senior Designer in 2012)
• Providing consumer focused, compelling commercial greetings products
• Designing a wide range of product solutions in classic, contemporary,
traditional and mainstream styles across all seasons and occasions for Hallmark brand
• Working with common finishes for greetings cards and products such as foils, flitters, die cutting,
embossing and working with vendors on new finishes such as die stamping and cold foil
• Ability to design product to convey perceivable value, competent in ‘value for money’ to high end luxury design
• Delivering ranges from concept to final artworked files for production
• Designing and delivering solutions for Hallmark’s own brand customers,
such as Sainsburys, Paperchase, Next and Morrisons
• 2 years experience on Hallmark.co.uk print on demand design team working with personalisation functionality
on cards and photo books
• Designed online seasonal advertising campaigns including banners, landing pages and email design
for Hallmark.co.uk , enhancing knowledge of web functionality and usability of shopping online
• Professionally conducting, liaising and working with vendors, suppliers, marketing, editors, managers
and designers on a daily basis
• Leading the UK Hand-lettering team for Hallmark Cards, scheduling work between managers and designers,
promoting the team internally, planning workshops for up and coming projects in the publishing calendar, progression
and development of the team, creating useful vector lettering for utility of the creative department for all product solutions, creating new lettering tying in with emerging trends
• Running creative workshops for designers
• Mentoring designers through one on one sessions, developing designers and helping them achieve theirset objectives
• Supporting managers in the running of the Hallmark branded team, leading team meetings, setting up
internal initiatives for smarter ways of working
• Working alongside managers and peers in translating predicted trends from external insights
into workable Hallmark branded trends
• Building strong university and college links in the UK, setting live briefs and representing Hallmark at graduate shows
• 3 weeks experience in International offices in Australia to gain experience of the wider business worldwide
• Representing Hallmark Cards in being part of the ITV ‘Sketch Santa’ competition in association
with Text Santa and Daybreak, live Daybreak interview and judging with Daybreaks Anna Williamson and Gethin Jones
Gardiner Richardson // Junior Designer // 2005-2007
• Corporate identity, brochure design, web design, regional advertising campaigns
• Brand building across all mediums online and offline
• Working closely with clients, pitching projects, presenting at client meetings
• Environmental and events design
• Experience in proofing on press and gaining huge experience in the printing process


Hallmark Cards PLC // Designer // April 2007 - Aug 2014
During my time at Hallmark I learnt a great understanding of the greetings card industry and designing commercially
to all consumers and recipients. I also gained knowledge in sku coding and price points, processes and standard
finishes, artworking files for press quality and racking up designs.
Education
Cumbria Institute of the Arts // 1999 - 2001
BTEC National Diploma in Design, A Level Photography
University Of Northumbria At Newcastle // 2001 - 2004
BA (Hons) Graphic Design

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