Hi there!
My name is Donal. I recently qualified in Visual Effects and began to train as a VFX Data Wrangler on the set of the Netflix show Wednesday. Prior to this, I worked as a Photographer & Graphic Designer for over 18 years.
I am a creative, yet tech-minded individual with an excellent eye for detail, a keen problem solver, and an organised project manager with a results driven mindset. Though still eager to learn, my many years of Photography & Design experience have given me a high level of attention to detail ensuring issues are caught early and all projects are completed on schedule, within budget, all while adhering to specific guidelines.
I am well versed in Adobe & Microsoft, along with various Visuel Effects software including FileMaker Pro, NUKE, Maya 3D, After Effects and PremPro. I am also qualified in UX/UI Design and have obtained several level 6 modules in business management.
Photography is a personal passion of mine, but from a professional point of view I have experience in Photogrammetry, product photography, studio management, creative direction and image manipulation.
Outside of work, I am a keen landscape photographer with a hunger for travel. I worked briefly as a wedding photographer for a few years which helped me develop my people skills and sharpened my ability to work under pressure.
Work Experience
Jun 24 - Dec 24
Trainee Data Wrangler / VFX Production Assistant
Wednesday Season 2 - Take 5 Productions.
- Collection of camera, lighting, and scene data for all Visual Effects shots.
- Data aquisition using FileMakerPro wrangling software.
- Liasing with AD's, DoP, Lighting, Video, and Camera crews for data collection.
- Use of Chrome Ball & MacBeth chart for Colour reference.
- Correct placing of stuffies/stand-ins for texture and colour referencing.
- Use of DSLRs for recording HDRI's, Set reference images & Texture surveys.
- Operation & slating of witness cameras.
- Liase with Set Dec/Prop/Model makers to gather materials for 3D scanning.
- Set up, logging and capture of props using Photogrammetry.
- Archiving/back up of all images/data using correct file naming convention.
- Generation of daily VFX reports.
Jun 06 - Feb 22
Graphic Designer / Jewellery Photographer
Solvar Irish Jewellers Ltd.
- Project management and design of Solvar’s yearly catalogue, mini-brochures, information leaflets and digital media.
- Ensuring all detail is gathered and correct before press proofing material.
- Leading the design of POS, Magazine adverts, and any other printed & digital marketing material ensuring branding is kept within guidelines and uniform across all.
- Prototyping and designing display units & packaging for Solvar and bespoke units to meet their customer’s needs.
- Creation of customer branded packaging either through ideation & brainstorming or through liaising with customers marketing departments.
- Working with event project management companies to create trade show exhibits each year at Showcase Ireland in the RDS.
- Responsible for the photography of all Solvar Stock, packaging, display solutions and styled shots for print, online and social usage.
- Updating, maintaining and managing a highly organised media library and arranging all digital assets in an easy-to-navigate folder system.
- Any other Solvar graphic duties including updating the employee handbook, corporate stationary, generic company signage and advising HR on printing best practices.
Jun 06 - Jan 17
Graphic Designer / Jewellery Photographer
ANG Ltd
Up until Jan 2017, Solvar was part of the AN group, consisting of Solvar, Fields Jewellers & Fraser Hart Jewellers (UK). On top of my above mentioned duties for Solvar, during this period I also undertook the following:
- Responsible for Fields and Fraser Hart stock & advertising photography.
- Ensuring all printed media across all 14 Fields stores were within branded guidelines.
- Creation and upkeep of Branch Manager Business cards, Store information packs, Jewellery & Diamond info care cards and insurance leaflets.
- Design of point of sales, display backboards, packaging and magazine adverts.
- Creation of concepts for Christmas & other seasonal campaigns & ad-hoc promotions.
- Liaising with various watch vendors to obtain digital assets and ensuring all images are up to date and to their required standards.
Dec 03 - Mar 04
Graphic Designer
Pink Design Ltd.
As part of my FAS work experience I spent 2 spells working with Pink, designing the ESB catalogue, stationary, packaging and business adverts.
Education
Ballyfermot College of Further Education
2023 to 2024 - QQI5 Traineeship in Visual Effects & Animation
Ballyfermot Training Centre
2023 - QQI6 Train the Trainer
Baldoyle Training Centre
2023 - QQI6 Strategic Planning (Management Development)
2023 - QQI6 Leadership (Management Development)
2023 - QQI6 Business Management (Management Development)
Ballyfermot Training Centre
2022 - QQI6 Supervisory Management (Management Development)
UX Design Institute | Glasgow Caledonian University
2021 - NQF6 Professional Certificate in UI Design
2021 - NQF5 Certificate in UI Software
2020 - NQF7 Professional Diploma in UX Design
Irish Academy of Computer Training
2010 - Adobe CS Update Training
FAS Training Centre
2004 - FETEC Cert in Graphic Design for Print Media
Irish Academy of Computer Training
2002 - Diploma in Desktop Publishing