A DIGITAL firm in the region had a successful 2024 on many levels.
Creatomatic, which is based at Lockerbie, was kept busy building digital for clients across the UK, including websites and brand identities.
But they also took time out to encourage and train the next generation of web developers, graphic designers and digital marketers.
For the team are passionate about sharing their knowledge and create pathways for young people to enter the digital world.
In July, designers Paul Gardner and Rosie Porteous were also invited to speak at the University of Cumbria’s UX/UI design short course.
After their presentation, they had an interactive session reviewing students’ work, providing feedback and offering tips on how to refine their designs.
The UX/UI bootcamp has been hailed as a great initiative where over six weeks, the free course offers insights into design’s fastest growing industry to professionals around Cumbria. Focusing on the laws of UX, design systems and fundamentals alongside hands on learning.
Lecturer Vincent Walden said: “It was a no-brainer to invite Paul and Rosie from Creatomatic, above, to provide a talk about their work and help give feedback to the students.”
Meanwhile, Creatomatic operations manager Chris McWhinnie spent time visiting educational institutions around the region, and also worked closely with Lockerbie Academy to host a group of students every week for eight months to complete their Foundation Apprenticeship in creative and digital media. Every week, they’ve joined the team at the Creatomatic headquarters to learn more about what it’s like to work in a 5-Star creative agency.
Chris said: “It has been a great opportunity for us to engage with the next generation of digital media professionals. Being able to offer real life work experience to young people is so important at this stage so that they can make decisions about where they’d like to take their career in the future.
“This sort of insight in a working office is invaluable and I hope that it has inspired the young people that we’ve worked with to consider a career in this industry.”
In addition, the firm teamed up with the Dumfries Town Board for a logo and branding project involving four high schools. Creatomatic helped select the winner and transformed their design into a professional brand identity.
Paul added: “The team at Creatomatic are passionate about educating the next generation of young people considering a career in the digital industries. We believe that there are so many opportunities, especially as the world of technology is advancing at such a significant rate, there is so much to offer in a career that’s fast paced and exciting and we are looking forward to continuing this work into 2025.”
