Curriculum Vitae
M: 07742242974 E: ross.finch@hotmail.com
Education
2017 - 2018 - Fine Art (Master of Arts) Chelsea College of Arts
2006 - 2011- Furniture & Product Design (BA Hons), Nottingham Trent University
2005 - 2006 - Fine Furniture Crafts & Machining, National Diploma of (City & Guilds)
2004 - 2005 - Warwickshire College Art & Design Foundation (BTEC), Warwickshire College
Profile
Artist, designer and creative communicator. Experience merges extensive knowledge and skills gained within areas of sales, design and manufacturing. From the luxury British fashion & design retail environment to corporate and private hospitality events. I have identified a passion for the social, with ‘people’ being the core to success.
A creative leader, also suited well to working within a team I strive to obtain a perfect working dynamic. I have found confidence through many areas of the design industry, being in direct contact with clients, designers, manufacturers and suppliers both regionally and internationally.
These flexible and social roles have also enabled the opportunity to develop as an artist. My artistic curiosity fosters the combination of innovative craft experimentation and challenging engineered construction methods. My sculptural works as an artistic practice occasionally inherit practicality but are predominantly sculptures upholding a philosophical inner narrative often paying tribute to previous inventors, designers, artists or creative thinkers. Please take a moment to view these works at https://www.rossfinch.xyz/
Exhibitions
September 2018 - 'Fruits of Labor' CGL02 at Chelsea College of Arts - Degree Show, UK
July 2018 '& Another Angle' at Maxilla Space in London Maxilla Studios curated by Rapha
June 2018 International Scholarship Housing Farewell exhibition curated by Ancel Daniels
June 2018 - 'Rodin Late's' British Museum - Re-birth Bronze Sculpture
May 2018 - 'Voyer & Stone Washer' at UAL - Interim Show at CookHouse, London
May 2018 - 'Mothers Milk' at Chelsea College of Arts - Interim Show at CookHouse, London
May 2018 - Ross Finch for Praxis curates Sculptural exhibit 'Object D'art' - 9 Artists Commissioning EisaKku Kubo + DSI
April 2018 'Concrete Dreams' Exhibition - The SouthBank Centre - Ross McCormick - Interview with Southbank Artistic Director Shan Maclennan & Site Engineer Stuart humber.
January 2018 - 'Re - Birth' Till death do us Part at Chelsea College of Arts - Interim Show, London UK
December 2017 - 'ArtSquat' Group Exhibition at Chelsea College of Arts MAFA Gallery UK
December 2017 - 'Glue' Lillie Road SW6, London
October 2017 - 'Path' Group exhibition CGL02 at Chelsea College of Arts, London UK
Mentoring
2014 NTU Mentor for Benedict Ernstzen (BA Product design) and Carmen Aversa (BA Decorative Arts)
Certificates
2009 - The Hive Business development Award - Nottingham Trent University
Commission
September 2012 Paul Smith - 10 Byard Lane Nottingham NG1 2GJA
A set brief to design a number of concepts to display the new seasons undergarment menswear range for 2013. A number of the initial and chosen concepts can be seen in the imagery above titled "Briefs"
Employment
Belstaff - August 2017 - April 2019
Belstaff operates using a tight nit sales and management team. A great quality product is such a pleasure to sell. Professionalism and efficient service are standard procedure. Teamwork here so important to achieving the target and hitting goals for the day. Meeting highly valued clients and managing customer orders requires a balance of excellent sales technique and to be inquisitive to focus on the individual.
Francis Sultana - July 2015 - April 2017
Working for Francis Sultana gave me the opportunity to work with an international workforce of all types of great talents. My role was to manage the production schedule, the making of designer pieces and to develop and solve design issues by sending technical drawings to the needed manufacturers. The design office was often high in energy, this role demanded control, efficiency and pragmatism.
The Conran Shop - July 2014 – July 2015
The Conran Shop was a great experience, working as a lighting consultant at Chelsea`s Michelin House offered stability in London. Working with such a vibrant team of young professionals strengthened my communication skills and empowered my confidence in being able to identify my personality and tailor my style and approach when interacting with product or engaging with customers.
Michael Wisher Associates - July 2011 – July 2014
Agency work offered flexibility and a variety of job roles working for: Ascot, Jamie Oliver’s buffet at Silverstone, Trent Bridge, Derby football club, Burley Race course, the British golf open, Grosvenor Private school and Doncaster racecourse. Working long shifts with a large team required motivational input. Here I gained arrange of new skills such as under pressure till work, stock running and high standards for catering services (head of champagne reception).
Next Home - September 2010 – July 2011
As a kitchen demonstrator the role required hard sales and detailed product knowledge. This was a commission based role with incentives to achieve high targets. Managing a team of three, well-constructed communication and relations with the customer here was crucial. Understanding material properties and user interactive design was crucial in offering a quality design service.
Channels Design - August 2009 & December 2009
Junior designer and sales role at channels Design was a great way to really be tested within the London design industry. My time was divided between 2D drawings for Hotel projects and showroom customer assistant with bespoke technical service. Working within a Chinese company really was influential to understand local and international design production methods and strategy.
Cow Vintage - January 2009 – August 2009 & July 2012 – December 2013
Working at Cow gave me the insight to put my artistic design ideas into practice. Here a new mainstream approach to the vintage clothing scene at its early developments offered jobs in areas of managing stock, promoting events, hanging, pricing and steaming garments, dressing mannequin displays and managing deliveries. From initially working with Cow in 2009 whilst studying at university the company offered me a supervisors role in 2012.
Fred Perry - March 2008 - March 2009
Fred Perry was essential retail experience. Working under this type of management was more direct to the customer due to the size of the shop and team, a quality product for a high end market. Working for a prestigious British brand was extremely demanding and of a great standard. Personal presentation was vital to the brand perception and high performance sales required one on one assistance.
Topman - November 2006 - October 2008
Working with a like-minded, motivational and enthusiastic team was enjoyable. I was trained to use the cash desk and signing people up to the online accounts. Understanding customer traits and buying techniques was beneficial as six months later I took a transfer within the company to Loyd's shoes (the shoe concession company). As part of Topman this meant working alongside only a manager, often supervising jobs included cleaning and setting displays, attending to customer needs and processing transactions.
Sitting Firm Interiors - September 2005 - October 2006
Sitting firm specialised in chair making. My focus of making was the assembly for Hatton and ladder back chairs. The company followed very respectable manufacturing traditions and high standards for well crafted design. Jobs included sanding gluing and pressing. Again a very rewarding position on the production line with a great team.
Christopher Peters Kitchen & Interiors - November 2002 - September 2004
This was my most unforgettable employed role and my first hands on experience working with wood, I was hooked. I learned firstly how to make my own tool box and how to make a cabriole leg by hand. Then onto larger projects sanding and distressing antique units and working on-site fitting clients kitchens. This really was the full package and the job which inspired me to become a designer maker: from the country working environment, the period pieces we were making and the level of responsibility.