Print Resume

Rich Armstrong

Artist & Illustrator

Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 63 0324 764 rich@taptapkaboom.com taptapkaboom.com
I'm a compulsive maker. I'm a big fan of play, experimentation and exploration. I have an overactive imagination. And I can touch my nose with my tongue.

Work Experience

Freelance Illustrator

I’m a freelance illustrator. Let’s work together.
December 2021 -

TapTapKaboom

Founder

I teach fun online classes on creativity, design, illustration, coding and animation.
September 2015 - Netherlands

Studio Armstrong

Product designer

We run our own product design studio, working on select products & services.
March 2016 - Netherlands

UXFoundry

Product designer

Ideation; UX design; UI design; front-end dev; wire-framing; prototyping; graphic design; and animation.

I worked collaboratively with a team of 4, and before that I worked with the CEO alone. I worked on internal products and on a few select client projects.
June 2013 - February 2016 South Africa

FirstView

Interactive designer

My job, on a weekly basis, included writing JavaScript, jQuery and ActionScript; writing HTML and CSS; communicating between stakeholders; planning; and team leading. I took projects from brief to completion, and advised on the technical and interactive possibilities on most projects. I also designed the internal project management app; taught front-end developers JavaScript; and presented on new web-technologies.

I worked on big name brands like Axe, Stork, MTN and Ponds, as well as emerging e-commerce-only brands like So Music and Elite Mobile. I was employee number 3 and there were 25 employees when I left.
October 2009 - May 2013 South Africa

Freelance

Motion-graphic designer, graphic designer, web designer

I worked on animation, graphic design and web-based projects during and after my 3rd year at Vega. I gained experience in dealing with clients and doing work for money, rather than marks.
January 2008 - September 2009 Durban, South Africa

Education

Durban University Of Technology

B.Tech (Cum Laude) in Graphic Design

I wrote an academic paper and created a campaign that addressed the negative psycho-social effects of smart-device use. I made radio, print and video adverts as well as an iPhone app to address these issues.
January 2013 - December 2014 Durban, South Africa

Vega School Of Brand Leadership

B.A. in Communications Management specialising in Creative Brand Communications

I majored in multimedia design. I studied an array of subjects including animation, interaction design, copywriting, art direction, and instalment art.
January 2006 - December 2008 Durban, South Africa

Languages

English (Native),
Dutch (Beginner),
Afrikaans (Beginner),
Zulu (Beginner),
Italian (Beginner),

Awards

Loeries

Bronze Loerie, student category (awarded for my 2008 Flash portfolio, book design and motion-graphic showreel)

2009

Loeries

Bronze Loerie, student category (awarded for my Plainsite music video)

2008

Design Indaba

Silver CNMA, Construction New Media Award (awarded for my 2007 Plainsite music video)

2008

Vega

Vega multimedia design award (awarded for being Vega‘s top multimedia design graduate in 2008)

2009

DUT

DUT Top B.Tech designer of the year

2014

Skills

Animation, Doodling, Illustration, Product Design, Prototyping, UI Design , UX Design, Web Design, Wireframing,