JOSEPH RUSS
[e] josephruss77@gmail.com
[w] josephruss.wordpress.com
PROFILE
Freelance copywriter and editor with experience of copywriting for multinational clients, and writing and editing news, features and interviews for a range of consumer technology magazines. Interested in film, music and travel, and a keen amateur photographer.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Technical Writer (November 2008 – December 2009)
Twofish BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands (www.twofish.nl)
- Writing press releases and technical press briefings for Yamaha Motor Europe
- Writing, editing and proofing technical copy for Canon inc
- Concept development for print advertising for Yamaha
- Development of Yamaha brand strategy
- Presentations for Canon business-to-business
- Script development for Tommy Hilfiger video
Deputy Editor (January 2006 – August 2008)
Section Editor (April 2004 – January 2006)
Computer Arts magazine, Future Publishing, Bath, UK (www.computerarts.co.uk)
- Researching creative software and techniques and commissioning tutorials from external contributors
- Writing regular lead features, news and interviews
- Planning and writing the weekly Computer arts email newsletter for 40,000 readers
- Editing of magazine supplements for Adobe and Quark
- Proof-reading and approval of magazine pages prior to production
- Day-to-day management of the magazine in the editor’s absence
- Maintaining strong relations with the creative industry – agencies, freelancers, illustrators and software manufacturers
- Representing the magazine by attending events and tradeshows and product briefings
CD Editor (September 2002 – April 2004)
Future Publishing, Bath, UK
- Sourcing software and permissions for cover-mounted CD for Mac Format, Computer Arts and Digital Camera magazine
- Securing full products and other premium content in return for editorial or advertising coverage
- Design and maintenance of disc interfaces using HTML templates and Macromedia Director software
- Quality assurance of disc interfaces and software
- Commissioning pages to freelance staff and copywriting for disc interfaces and magazine CD pages
Freelance (August 2001 – August 2002)
Various Projects
- Training on web design and IT support at Positive Press.
- Design for Positive press catalogue
- Design and build of Quality Circle Time website including e-commerce elements
Web Designer (September 2000 – June 2001)
Reelscreen/Total Film Network, Future Publishing, London, UK
- Image design for www.reelscreen.com and www.totalfilm.com (sites no longer active)
- Digitisation and compression of short films, songs and music videos for broadcast on the web with consideration for media quality and bandwidth issues
- Day to day management of Reelscreen, including image design, updating editorial content and community management of hosted artists pages
- Assisting the project management of the design of Total Film Network
- Converting magazine layouts of Total Film magazine into Web pages
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
- High level of computer literacy, including familiarity with both Mac and Windows
- Design and layout using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator
- Knowledge of HTML, CSS and various content management systems
- Programming using Adobe Flash and Director
- Full UK driving licence and UK passport
EDUCATION
BSc (Hons) Medialab Arts (2nd Class Honours) (September 1996 – July 2000)
University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
- Experience of a wide range of software and technologies used in the production of interactive media
- Design and planning of multimedia projects from initial proposal and specification through to production
- History of interactive media, emerging platforms and possible new directions
- One-year industry placement at Ransom Publishing, an interactive CD-ROM publisher
Secondary Education
The John of Gaunt Comprehensive School, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK (September 1989 – July 1996)
A-Levels
Psychology B, Mathematics C, Physics D
9 GCSEs including 8 A-C grades
REFERENCES
Available on request.
