Heritage and Culture
Historic England and Swindon Borough Council (The Works Heritage Trail): Kate designed a wonderful heritage trail for Swindon. It was a mammoth job for one person but we are delighted with what she has created. Kate took responsibility for shaping the route of the trail and for suggesting how it should be presented and promoted. She created the content, undertaking a huge amount of research in order to find (and interpret) the most interesting and relevant stories. I particularly loved how she incorporated historic images into her designs in a way that looks contemporary and stylish. Karen Phimister, Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, The Works Heritage Trail
Entertaining Swindon exhibition (Swindon Museum & Art gallery / Arts Council England funded): Kate Parsons was the Curator/Project Manager for our community exhibition. She used her extensive graphic design skills to give the exhibition a brand and colour scheme, with matching interpretation/text panels; and showed strong communication skills in this public engagement role, quickly making links to exploit local knowledge, building goodwill to rally support for the project, and keeping the Swindon Museum & Art Gallery regularly informed of progress. Curating skills from Kate saw her develop a theme for the exhibition from early research, and then build the pieces of the exhibitions content from knowing what people were willing to loan for display. The project also required extensive project management skills with regard to time, budget, and communication (including residents loaning objects, Swindon Borough Council staff and printers). Kate has been able to work flexibly, with a strong work ethic, fast problem-solving skills and a high level of professionalism. Kate Parsons would be an excellent choice for any project that includes graphic design, community public engagement, project management, and/or curating a show, exhibition, or other events. Jon Ratcliffe, Swindon Museum & Art Gallery
University of Oxford Development Office
Kate is one of those unique people who is able to give equal attention both to the big picture (thinking about how the communication will come across to its intended audience) and the fine detail. As a result, working with her is challenging, rewarding and fun. Tany Alexander, Senior Campaign Executive
Kate combines excellent design skills with great copy-writing ability. She is a clear strategic thinker, able to negotiate complex projects and produce outstanding results on time and on budget. Sophie Hiscock, Head of Campaign Communications
Kate's ability to take a project brief and turn it into an outstanding piece of work really does make big projects easier. Her expertise in design, print and creative writing are exemplary – she is patient, flexible, and always has a solution to a problem. She is a joy to work with, I cannot recommend Kate highly enough." Becki McKinlay, Head of Individual Giving, University of Oxford Development Office.
Kate’s work is always first-rate – well-crafted, engaging and effective. She has a quick and thorough grasp of the needs of a project, and fulfils the brief with timely competence and a creative flair that makes it more compelling. I would highly recommend her for any job requiring design, writing and editing at the highest level of excellence. Chris Floyd, Senior Proposals Office
Network Rail: I engaged Kate as Lead Visual Communication Consultant. Her work on the initial successful pilot in the Wessex Region helped to accelerate the programme to national level. Kate proved very able to work with frontline staff, management and risk management consultants to translate findings into a logical flow of clearly presented, pertinent information. She championed the principles of clarity throughout the many stages of the programme's development. Kate's business contacts, ability to sub-contract, manage time and budget enabled trials of the new materials to move easily through iterations. She documented progress and feedback to provide directive reports and image files as the production of Control of Work materials was handed over to our risk management software developers. Kate's long-term involvement provided consistency of direction for communicating safety-critical information within the multi-million pound programme that will bring about significant change in the rail industry. Stuart Browning, Programme Manager Control of Work
SMEs
Kate is very good at understanding and challenging the design brief, teasing out from me and my clients critical additional information about what we are seeking to achieve. On occasions, her ability to explain and offer insight into design purpose has been extremely helpful. Her input when she acts at a more strategic and directional level, has proved very valuable. Karen Gardner, Principal, Carpe Diem Corporate Communications
Cuts through the design hype and focuses on getting your message to market in a modern, innovative and creative way. She brings professionalism, enthusiasm and a results oriented approach to a subjective thing (brand, design, marketing approach). What's impressive is her ability to treat each assignment separately, personally and deliver an individual, tailored solution without using formulaic templates or design approaches. Andrew Bagguley, Director, Project Mobile Ltd.
Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust: Kate's re-brand of the appeal created a compelling 'lifetime' campaign to attract high worth individuals, corporate and trust giving alongside public engagement. Using her design skills and knowledge of on and off-line media Kate was able to communicate a clear and resonating campaign. Building existing and developing new relationships with diverse stakeholders, alongside the stewardship of donors and supporters, Kate was able to build up a network of financial supports. Kate was also responsible for the final year event organisation which she did cost effectively including, concert, markets, comedy and our gala event. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Kate for development and branding work. Mike Coe, CEO, Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust