JOSEPH RUSS
[e] josephruss77@gmail.com
[t] + 44 (0) 7779 267146
[w] josephruss.wordpress.com
PROFILE
Freelance art and technology journalist, writer and editor with experience of writing news, features and interviews for a range of consumer technology magazines. Additional experience in editing and commissioning articles and publications for external clients. Very good IT skills covering design and web technology. Also a keen photographer and interested in film, music and travel.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Deputy Editor (January 2006 – August 2008)
Section Editor (June 2005 – January 2006)
New Media Editor (April 2004 – June 2005)
Computer Arts
Future Publishing, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2BW, UK
www.computerarts.co.uk, www.futurenet.co.uk
Responsibilities
• 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
• Liaising with the digital department on cover-mounted CD-ROM content and commissioning or writing CD pages
• Editing of magazine supplement for Adobe and Quark
• Generating ideas for magazine features
• Proofreading and approval of magazine pages prior to production
• Day-to-day management of the magazine in 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
• Dealing with readers’ enquiries
• Freelance writing for other Future Publishing magazines – Computer Arts Projects, ImagineFX, .Net and Windows XP: The Official Magazine
CD Editor (September 2002 – April 2004)
Mac Format, Computer Arts and Digital Camera Magazine
Future Publishing, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2BW, UK
Responsibilities
• 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 CD pages to freelance staff and copy writing 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, 2 Balcombe Street, London, NW1 6NW
Responsibilities
• 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. Programming using Adobe Flash and Director. Design and layout using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Knowledge of HTML, CSS and various content management systems.
Full UK driving licence and UK passport
EDUCATION
BSc (Hons) MediaLab Arts (2nd Class Honours) (September 1996 – July 2000)
University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
Areas covered
• 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
• 1 year industry placement at Ransom Publishing, an interactive CD-ROM publisher
Secondary Education
The John of Gaunt Comprehensive School, Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 9EH, UK
September 1989 – July 1996
A-Level
Psychology B
Mathematics C
Physics D
9 GCSEs including 5 A-C grades
REFERENCES
Available on request.
