Hi there. I'm Simon Hardware, a freelance designer, developer and project manager working in the North West. Here you should find some examples of work produced as a designer and an overview of my background working in the advertising industry

About me

Facts about me


While working with national advertising agencies as a Project/Print Manager,I have advised on all aspects of production to ensure Creative and Client expectations were exceeded on a wide range of international projects.

Working along side some of the most influential creative teams in the UK, has allowed me to flex my creative eye too. This means I also have extensive experience as both a Designer and Artworker.

Why use me?

I'm a one stop shop. Whether you are looking for a Creative Designer to work on a project, a Mac Artworker to boost your studio capacity, an extra Project Manager or a pair of expert eyes on a press pass, I'm your man.

about-me-avatar

I love invoicing

It's my favorite way to spend a lazy sunday afternoon. Only one issue with this hobby. I need to have worked the hours, before I can do the invoicing.

Hitting the road

Whether it's a road trip across Europe, a weekend drive in Wales, the daily commute or watching motor sport at home, I love everything car.

Having fun sketching

Recently I have rediscovered the joy of pencils and pens. After ignoring the pencil case since art college, it has been great to start again.

I love watching thrillers

Curling up on the sofa watching a move, or sitting in the pub watching a band, chilling out after work is almost as important as getting the job done.

Overview of my extensive background

Well, i've working in advertising all my life. I started out as a designer working on a drawing board, hand laying letraset, to deliver repro ready artwork on layered artboards. I was instrumental in bringing in the first Apple Macs and have been using them ever since.

As I progressed I found myself obsessing over the finished product and becoming more and more involved in the production of the printed material. Press passing to the highest level and working with the printers to ensure projects were as creatively produced as they were designed. Managing major Clients and their expectations were my specialities.

The web exploded during this period and I found myself managing online content, as well as printed material, as every campaign had a mix of both. The only way to manage online projects, is to understand them, so I did. Learning HTML, CSS and JQUERY to enable me to see through the mist of the online development jargon.

In the past three years I have been working as a freelance designer and project manager, keeping up-to-date on the latest web trends and staying on top of the software developments in the design arena. I now find myself enjoying being used in a variety of roles from Creative Services Manager to Web Design and Developer for both Large Agencies and Small Clients alike.

  • "Roll out the Hardware." That's what we say when we need help. An invaluable member of my freelance support.

    — Chris Place, Head of Art at Stein IAS EMEA

    quote-avatar-1
  • Simon has a fast, fertile mind - quick to grasp the idea and great at finding brilliant ways of making it work.

    — Simon Sinclair, Owner and Head of Chaos at Waggledance

    quote-avatar-2
  • Simon has exellent all round knowledge of web and print, and is a nice guy who really knows his onions.

    — Eliot Warrington, Solarcrest - Complete Eco Retrofit

    quote-avatar-3
loader

©Simon Hardware 2014, All rights reserved.