Phil Forster - Web Developer and Interactive Media Portfolio

Branding

Branding is aimed at building a strong and memorable image in the minds of consumers, thereby increasing brand recognition and loyalty. A successful branding strategy requires a deep understanding of the target audience, competitors, and market trends.

Branding

Little Sparkles

Branding

Brightstars

Branding

MTP Training

Branding

Gibbys Motor Weldin

Branding

Graphic Design

Illustrator is commonly used for vector-based graphics such as logos, while Photoshop is good for photo editing and manipulating raster images. Combining these two tools can result in stunning digital illustrations, which may include vector graphics, textures, and filters applied to photos.

The Eternal

Graphic Design

Poster

Lord Kitchener

Poster

Daughter of the Sea

3D Modelling

This technique is typically used to design objects, buildings, characters, and other items for use in video games, movies, and other digital media. 3D modelling programs allow users to manipulate objects in real time and apply various effects such as textures and lighting to create a realistic representation of the subject. The final result can be exported in a variety of formats for use in animations, simulations, and other applications.

Rifle

3D Modeling Techniques

Manic Miner

3D Modeling

Various

Other various works and doodles...

IMCA

Project Management and Development

Game Mechanics

Box 2D Programming

Vouchers

The Little Lunchbox

Infographic

Career Path

About

A li'l bit of a timeline.

Tap / Hover over the icons in the middle to view certificates

1996-2008
Royal Air Force

After basic airman training I moved on to specialise as a Survival Equipment Fitter. The trade specifics included maintenance, repair and rectification of life support equipment used by the aircrew and fitted to aircraft.

This included Life rafts, Parachutes and Flying Clothing. I am also qualified as a Synthetic Parachute Instructor which involved training aircrew in post ejection decent drills.
Sep 2011-June 2012
HNC Interactive Media

The term 'interactive media' defines a collection of diverse technologies which provide a user experience using digital platforms. This was a foundation year introduce an number of areas within interactive media.

These included 2D animation using Adobe Flash, 3D animation using 3DS Max, web design and development, design techniques and video/sound production and editing using Adobe Premiere Pro.
Sep 2012-June 2013
HND Interactive Media

The second year focused the skills and knowledge gained from the first year, concentrating on web development using HTML5 and CSS3, design techniques and 3D animation.

This year also introduced building an e-business, Professional and Legal Issues for Interactive Media Developers, Project Management for IT, Human Computer Interface, designing and developing an interactive media product and digital imaging culminating in a graded unit.
Sep 2013-June 2014
BSc Computing

Transferring to the BSc in Computing allowed for training in Artificial Intelligence, Database construction and business planning, Computer Forensics, Multi User Operating systems and a team orientated project for NHS Scotland.

This was quite an involved year as I had to catch up on some of the basics due to the transfer from Interactive Media to Computing, however, this was a very eductional experience.
Sep 2015-June 2018
BA (Hons) Interactive Media

The Interactive Media BA (Hons) course spanned a two year period covering ten subjects ranging from small business planning to emerging technologies in human computer interaction (ETHCI).

Some of the modules ran in line with the final Dissertation project for a local charity, Morayvia, to research, plan, develop and deliver an interactive display to educate patrons on the operations carried out by Maritime Patrol Aircraft by enhancing the MPA corner within the visitor's centre.

Upon completion of the course I was awarded First-Class Honours.
Sep 2017-Present
STEM Volunteer

As a direct result of the Dissertation project I was accepted as a volunteer with Morayvia to support their technologies and Survival Equipment. This involves project progression on the existing insatllation of the IMCA as well as some similar planned projects to bring the charity more interactive displays.

One such project which is underway is the transferal of the initail concepts of the imca into a more compact version for insatllation into the Nimrod fualasge, currently housed at Morayvia. This, hopefully, will be expanded to bring the exhibit to life and give a fully imersive experience.
2018
Student of the Year

At the end of my UHI journey I was honoured to be awarded the Higher Education Student of the Year from the University of the Highlands and Islands (Moray College).

I was thrilled to be nominated and was fortunate in being selected for this award, which was presented at the graduation ceremony in front my family, Degree graduates and faculty.
Oct 2018-Aug 2020
The Football Pools

As the Front-End Dev, based in Elgin, my duties include building and maintaining the front facing sections of the company’s web presence.

This ranges from app creation for Content Managemnet Systems, such as FSB Sportsbook and WordPress, to bespoke White Label sites for specific partners. I run my own Jira board which entails managing task as they come in and prioritising the order in which they are completed.

I also create artwork for banners and promotions as well as assiting head office with task outside my normal day to day tasks.
Dec 2019
Scottish Ex-Forces Finalist

In mid October 2019 I was nominated for the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business (Inspiration of the Year) award. These awards are aimed at raising the profile of Ex Forces who have move on to professional second careers and contributed in some way to business and personal development of themselves and those around them.

The awards are broken into subcategories for which I was shortlisted to finalist in my catergory. The complete nominal role can be viewed in the 2019 listings
July 2019 - Sep 2020
The Pools - Lead Dev

As the Lead Developer for thepools.com (The Football Pools), my duties include building and maintaining the front facing sections of the company’s web presence specifically for thepools.com

This ranges from app creation for Content Managemnet Systems, such as FSB's Sportsbook, Casino, Virtuals Applications and Promotions to general maintinance. This entails managing task as they come in and prioritising the order in which they are completed.

I also create artwork for banners and promotions as well as assiting other teams with tasks outside my normal day to day duties.
Sep 2020 - May 2023
The Football Pools - Software Engineering Manager

I was promoted to Software Engineering Manager for the Elgin division in Sep 2020. This requires control of all local administration task for a team of 17 including Software Engineers, Artists, Content Managers and Testers as well as recruiting, man management and training.

This is especally challenging at the time of writing, due to restrictions of the global pandemic, requiring more flexablity and understanding to individual needs of the team.

I report directly to the Chief Technical Officer and work closly with the other lead developers.