Home – Paul Clifton Publication Design

Publications Designer

Production Manager

Cartographer

Web Designer

Digital Communications

Paul Clifton

I am a design professional with a specific interest in publishing design, layout and production.

From an early career in cartography, I have developed a skills set that covers the full gamut of design and communications for a wide range of clients and products, from books, magazines and guides to websites, social media and videos.

I have extensive management abilities, great interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.

Download CV

What I Do

Publishing Design

Highly experienced in all aspects of desktop publishing, from product conception, design and planning through scheduling, budgeting, production, editing, advertising, proofing, print check, distribution, archiving and marketing. Experienced in dealing with every manner of printed and online products, including books, magazines, memes, EDMs, brochures, posters, maps, adverts, merchandising, billboards etc.

Cartography

Fully qualified in the design and production of the full range of mapping products, from simple directional diagrams and tourist maps to topographic maps for governments.

Strategic Publications Advice

Able to provide advice on developing a strategy for new and refreshed publications. Including creating a communication plan, choosing print and/or digital formats and distribution models, selecting the best style, layout design and typography.

Editing and Copywriting

Highly experienced in writing for a full range of writing styles and narratives, as well as editing and proofreading for educational, entertainment, marketing, academic and social networking purposes. Experienced in editorial proofing for AGPS and APA style guides, and in working with foreign languages and scripts.

Major Achievements

2020-2022: Concept, design and production of Sentry e-magazine to support members during Covid lockdown.

2002-2022: Design, production and maintenance of the NTEU’s entire communications suite, including numerous print and online magazines, annual reports, booklets and guides, videos and stories, recruitment and campaign materials, training materials and merchandise.

2005-2014: Design overhaul of the print and digital communications of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival for greatest effect within a tight budget. Led by the annual Program Guide, pocket guides, website and online ticketing system, with accompanying marketing and communications materials (e-news, social media, signage etc.).

1995-2014: Building a successful and stable graphic design business, Beige Design, with a specific focus on delivering high quality, low cost, sustainable print and digital design products to small business clients.

1998-2002: Development, design and production of Lonely Planet’s City Maps series: 40 titles, including London City Map Winner, Mapping Sciences Institute of Australia (MSIA) Gold Award for Cartographic Excellence, 2001. And Lonely Planet’s Road Atlas series: 4 titles, including Australia Road Atlas, Winner, MSIA Gold Award for Cartographic Excellence, 2002.

1999-2001: Design and production of three Midsumma Festival program guides, and the development of processes to assist in ongoing, financially viable communications material.

CV

30 Years of Experience

Education

1987

RMIT University

Bachelor of Applied Science (Cartography)

Experience

2022 - Present

Victorian National Parks Association

Publications Coordinator

Sourcing, developing, fact checking, editing, design, layout and print production for Park Watch and other key publications
Development of strategies to increase partnership, advertising, distribution and subscription opportunities
Working with campaign staff to ensure an accurate representation of VNPA’s position and appropriate messages and stories are incorporated within publications
Working with fundraising staff to ensure appropriate donation forms, fundraising messages and stories are incorporated within publications
Development of marketing and campaigns material, including reports, proposals, posters, flyers etc

2022

Australian Institute for Teaching & School Leadership

Policy & Project Officer – ATWD Publications & Digital

Support and contribute to the delivery of the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) Products and Data Access Strategy, including policy publications and a suite of digital data products, in order to provide easily accessible and visually compelling data to a diverse range of stakeholders.

2002 - 2022

National Tertiary Education Union

National Organiser, Publications

Publishing and production coordination (planning, development, budgeting, scheduling, writing, editing, copywriting, proofing, design, photography, layout, print and online management, distribution, archiving) of all communication and promotional materials including magazines, academic journals, booklets, brochures, e-newsletters, posters, memes, submissions, campaign materials, advertisements, banners, signs, stationery and merchandising.

Design, maintenance and development of national website, campaign websites and intranet using content management system, CSS, HTML and WordPress.

1995 - 2014

Beige Design

Designer / Business Manager

Design assistance, production, layout, editing, web design and print coordination for all forms of advertising and marketing materials, including books, program guides, flyers, posters, signage, merchandising, maps etc.

Invoicing, quoting, budgeting, accounts, tax and business development.

1992 - 2002

Lonely Planet Publications

Map Publishing Manager/Cartography Manager

Maintenance and development of mapping products and services, coordinated globally.

Development of business and marketing plans, identification of new business opportunities, preparing contracts and licensing agreements, developing budgets and ensuring they are met.

Supervision and management of senior cartographic and editorial staff. Assisting their professional development and monitoring their overall efficiency.

Production management, supervision and scheduling of cartographic staff for new products, foreign rights, custom mapping and map licencing.

Development and maintenance of cartographic specifications for all products.

Layout, mapping, illustrations, cover and photographic section design for travel guides.

1990 - 1991

Sun Oil, London

Cartographer

Production of maps, charts and geological cross-sections for international mining operations, hand-drawn and using Autograph software.

1989

Fab Design, Firenze, Italy

Cartographer

Hand-drawn production of village tourist maps for Touring Club Italia.

1987 - 1989

Dept of Property & Services, Victoria

Drafting Officer

Reprographic production of topographic maps in the 1:1000,000 and 1:25,000 series.

Design and ground-truthing of new tourist-orientated products for The Grampians/Gariwerd and Wilson’s Promontory.

Updating cadastral plans, and compiling geodetic survey data.

Volunteer Experience

2004 - 2015

Melbourne Queer Film Festival

Co-Convenor, Publications Director

Complete redesign and ongoing production management of annual Program Guide and associated publications, advertising, signage, promotional materials and merchandise.

Redesign of website, including online ticketing system, & development of iPhone app.

Strategic development for marketing, advertising and promotional materials.

Management of Festival staff and the Board.

1999 - 2001

Midsumma Festival

Board Member / Publications & Internet Director

Development and coordination of publishing schedule and budget.

Production management, layout and design assistance for annual guide, promotional postcards, brochures, advertising, banners, tickets, stickers and merchandising.

Production of maps for annual guide and special events.

Development and coordination of website.