Artist Statement
Charlotte MacDonald is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. She completed her degree in a B.Des in Printed Textiles in 2007 with first class honours.
In the summer of 2006 she spent 14 weeks working for the fashion designer, John Galliano, in Paris. This was a hugely influential point in her college experience.
She has exhibited her work on a few occasions since graduating,including her first solo exhibition in Piedescalso Art Café.
Charlotte believes it is very important to promote herself as a designer/artist and has had good media coverage with her work appearing in publications such as Image Magazine,House and Home, the Evening Herald and Selvedge Textile Magazine.
Charlotte was also a contestant on “Comortas Ceirde”, a programme concentrating on modern craft in Ireland which was recently aired on TG4. She was one of ten contestants and was a representative for textiles.
Charlotte is passionate about her profession and has previously managed Pia Bang Home in Dublin and she has completed freelance design work for a Textile Agency in the UK.
Charlotte aims to broaden her experience and would like expand from the 2D medium of printed textiles and go on to study product design in the future. She ultimately dreams of one day having her own line of interior products and reaching the wide European market.
Shows and Exhibitions
RDS for Art Ireland from Nov 14th- 16th, 2008
November-December 2007, Piedescalso Art Cafe on Thomas St, Dublin 8.
Awards
2007 Selected to be a contestant on “TG4 New Craftsperson of the Year 07”
2007 Finalist for Habitat “Young Designer of the Year Competition 2007”
2006 Nominee for NCAD Student of the Year
2006 Selected to undertake placement at Galliano & Dior through NCAD Leonardo Mobility Fund
2005 Finalist in “Hand and Lock” Embroidery Competition
2005 Aussie Hair Care 2nd prize in “Wraparong”
Competition
2003 Bene Meriente Visual Arts award
Commissions
Dirty Fabulous (Clothing Boutique) 2008
• Clothing tags featuring prices and garment information
Christmas Fair 2008
• Vintage table linens and Christmas cards (also sold in Pia Bang Home)
Pia Bang Home 2007
• Sales flyers, in store promotional material and company stickers
Qualifications
B.Des in Printed Textiles (1st class honours)
National College of Art and Design 2007
Skills Profile
• Communication- Effectively listening and responding to client’s requirements in both the retail environment and whilst freelancing. Building good working relationships with European suppliers and management.
• Customer Service- Excellent customer service standards to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. Efficiently providing a personal and tailored service for each customer, from the original enquiry through to delivery of the product. As manager, successfully creating a very approachable and pleasant face to the company.
• Logistics- Ordering of merchandise, organising delivery of consignments of goods to the store and deliveries to the customer's residence.
• Organisation- Maintaining high standards within the shop (cleanliness and merchandising). Establishing new systems for more efficient day to day running of the store.
• Leadership skills- Managing a team, motivating and boosting staff morale; maintaining a productive workforce and creating a rewarding working environment.
IT Skills:
• Adobe PhotoshopCS3: Proficient
• Adobe Illustrator CS3: Some experience
• Microsoft Office: Competent
• European Computer Driving License
Employment Record
June 2008 – Mar 2009 Pia Bang Home
Manager 2 South Anne St, Dublin 2
• Day-to-day management of the store in accordance with overall company policy
• Providing customer service and facilities
• Managing stock levels and making key decisions with regards to buying
• Liaising with suppliers and service providers
• Marketing
• Administration and logistics
• Sales: Organising special promotions, displays and events
• Deliver exemplary levels in store presentation
Sept 2007 - May 2008 Paper & Cloth (surface pattern and creative studio)
Freelance Designer UK
• Compeleting briefs tailored for each theme and season in the specific areas of interiors and children’s fabrics
• Submitting briefs to successfully meet deadlines and requirements
Sept 2007 - May 2008 Pia Bang Home
Shop Assistant
April 2006 - July 2006 Galliano and Dior Studios Paris
Accessories Designer 60 Rue D’Avron, 75020 PARIS, France
• Responsible for sourcing, coding and pricing of new components
• Establishing an archiving system for past three years of accessory collections
• Ensuring all jewellery was produced to set deadlines
• Hand making consignments of jewellery to a guaranteed high standard for sale in retail outlets
Aug 1999 – Sept 2007 Papa Rhodes Restaurant
Head Waitress, Hostess The Old Creamery, Ballycanew, Gorey, Co. Wexford
Wine Server
Summer Employment
• Improving the seating arrangement and the efficiency of the turnover time to increase the restaurant capacity by a further 20%
• Staff management (including timetabling and staff allocation)
• Cash reconciliation
• Diplomatically dealing with customer queries
• Stock taking
Contact Details
cjjmacdonald@hotmail.com