About

Who are Alf Designs?

Alf Designs, as I mentioned on the "Home Page" is just me, Angela Shawcroft. "Alf" has been a nick-name of mine for several years. I've had a few different jobs so far, ranging from receptionist and desktop publishing to the obscurity of face painting and operating roller coasters! After thinking about it for more than ten years, I have finally built up enough experience (and courage!) to start my own business, doing what I love.

I am based in North Derbyshire and am therefore trying to build up a base of regular clients in that area, but as the web makes everyone neighbours I don't supose it matters too much how far away customers are!

Fortunately for me, I was brought up to appreciate art and photography in it's traditional applications as well as being taught about the uses of computers from an early age. So I feel quite comfortable working in both areas and mixing the two styles where appropriate.

Experience:

Five years (and counting!) as a desktop publisher in a studio at a printers in Alfreton.
Two years previous to that as a designer for a publishing company in Sheffield (mainly postcards and souvenirs for tourist sites all over the UK).

Qualifications:

I have only listed those qualifications that I feel are relevant to art and design.
These are as follows:

Higher Education
BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design = Overall Distinction
Dreamweaver Basic Web Design

A Level's
Art & Design (Graphic Design) = A
Art & Design (Unendorsed) = B

GCSE's
Art & Design = A
English Lit. & Lang. = B & B
CLAIT (Computer Studies) = Distinction

Equipment:

I work mostly with quite traditional mediums, such as graphite, water colours, pencils and ink. Though I am fortunate enough to feel just as at home working with a PC or Mac. The types of software that I am most familiar with are listed below, although I also have experience working with Poser 5, Corel Draw, Freehand, the Microsoft Office Suite & Quark Express.

InDesign	Illustrator	Photoshop	Dreamweaver

Please note that the above software logos are © owned by Adobe and Macromedia respectively, and used here for demonstration purposes only.