Resumé
Hugh Elliott
Hardware Creative Technologist / Experiential Strategy and Design
Contact
Background
With over 20 years of experience, I have successfully bridged the gap between creative vision and technical execution within the digital marketing space. My professional trajectory—evolving from a Flash animator and developer to an Integrated Media Manager, Technical Director, and Creative Technologist—has been defined by a deep commitment to understanding both a client’s strategy and the end-user experience.
Throughout my career, I have been an integral part of client work – from ideation to execution. My background includes hands-on experience in both fabrication and development, allowing me to serve as a vital resource during the discovery process and being able to clearly communicate technical decisions to clients. Furthermore, I have effectively liaised across departments to ensure seamless project delivery and have been a key contributor to successful pitch teams that secured major accounts.
Work Experience
hughqelliott studio
April 2017 – Present
As a freelance technologist, I have engaged with a diverse range of complex technical and creative challenges. To successfully execute these projects, I leveraged (and continued to develop) a multidisciplinary skill set that includes;
- Experience Design
- Creative Direction
- Strategy
- User Interface designer.
My technical capabilities further extend to 3D modeling, 3D printing, electronics, fabrication, and finishing. Rather than operating in isolation, these competencies are integrated to provide comprehensive, cross-functional solutions. Below are three representative examples of the opportunities I have led to date.
True Hockey Game On Ball
I designed a road hockey ball along with a base station that alerted Waze of an ongoing game by claiming there was a traffic jam in the area. This then leads Waze to divert traffic, keeping the game safe.
Buckley’s Awful Alarm Clock
Working with Saatchi&Saatchi, I fabricated an alarm clock in a Buckley’s cough syrup bottle.
New Brunswick Tourism Streaming Tower Viewer
Hired by National PR as part of larger campaign to attract tourists to New Brunswick. I designed and built a full-size tower viewer that people in Toronto could use to look at the beach in New Brunswick.
Independent Projects
I’ve often said I let my 5-9 improve my 9-5. With that thinking, I have engaged in a large number of personal projects that make me better as a leader and innovator.
Light Motion Capture Pride 2021-2022
I spent a year taking long exposure photos using a custom-designed and built light bar to draw rainbows in a variety of places. This lead to me being the artist collaborator for the WWE’s 2022 Pride campaign.
First Next Step
Founded the networking event, First Next Step, as a way to help people and employers in marketing connect. The inaugural event was on October 18th, 2017 and was a hit.
Dismissed Podcast
Dismissed was born out of a conversation with my mother who felt I could help people who were struggling with job loss. Listen on Spotify.
Senior Creative Technologist
Thinkingbox
January 2020 – April 2022
An unfortunately-timed opportunity saw me hired at Thinkingbox just as the world is hit by a global pandemic with COVID-19. Emplyed to create innovation opportunities within the org and struggling with a lack of live experiential made for a problematic employment. As the world slowly made its way out of lockdown my final project for Thinkingbox was designing the Corona Recharge fridge.
Creative Technologist
wonderMakr
March 2016 – April 2017
As one of two on-staff creative technologists, I was responsible for nearly every step of a project. From initial brainstorming and estimation, to sourcing materials and fabrication suppliers, to on-site prototyping and project creation. Our focus, at wonderMakr, was on web-connected experiences. Using CradlePoint, RaspberryPi and Arduino, we made simple machines appear complicated and graceful. Experiences became fluid and easy based on the audience. Whether that audience was passersby at Sherway Gardens who witnessed the Love Lights spectacle or people at Yonge Dundas Square who participated in our Chevy Cruze Caraoke experience or even the kids who played with interactive Christmas trees at Santa’s Village at Sherway Gardens. It is not superfluous to say that we make wonder and the company name is apt.
Director Front-End and Creative Technologies
MacLaren MRM
September 2012 – April 2014
Lead one of the largest front-end development teams in North America. Responsible for planning, estimating, coordinating and quality of projects for every client at MacLaren McCann. Frequently consulted with other branches of the McCann network to provide advice in healthcare application and live events. Coordinated with the Creative, Project Management and Account groups on a daily basis.
Technical Director
Kolody, Inc
May 2012 – July 2012
Forecast and research possible innovations for greater company revenue. Create optimal skills assessments to better maintain employee retention. Extensive documentation.
Involved in the launch of the Dove Show Us Your Skin project and the CFC’s kickstarter-type project, ideaBOOST.
Freelance
hughqelliott/wheniwas19
September 2002 – Present (when not employed full time)
Generating new business. Coding on large or small-scale projects.
I spend any free time I have pursuing creative technology work.
I’ve designed several watches in collaboration with Scott Wilk Designs and was commissioned to design a print for the producer of the film The Social Network.
Manager, Integrated Media
Organic Inc.
June 2007 – August 2009
Consult on new projects to determine proper casting of Flash developer skill set. AS 3.0 coding of larger projects. Managing Flash team. Coordinate talent with other offices within network. Evaluate freelance flash developers.
Was a key member of two successful pitches: Nike Canada at the Toronto office and Intel with the San Francisco office.
Associate Technical Director
Fjord (Cossette Communications)
January 2006 – June 2007
Consult on new projects to facilitate timelines. Manage other Flash developers. Coordinate with freelance developers to ensure compliance with Fjord development methodologies.
Speaking Experience
Beyond Tellerrand 2023
Host of First Next Step begun 2017
Maker Festival 2015 Light Motion Capture project
FiTC Toronto 2011 Due Date Ideas
Flashbelt Minneapolis 2010 The Art of [Mis]Communication
FlashontheBeach Brighton 2010 Things I Learned in Preschool
FiTC Edmonton 2010 Things I Learned in Preschool
FlashontheBeach Brighton 2009 The 10 Best Excuses to NOT do Amazing Work
FiTC Toronto 2008 OOP for the OOPless
FiTC Toronto 2005 Making a Movie Editor in Flash
DesignFest 2005 Networking for the Nerd
FiTC Toronto 2004 The Drawing AP-what?
FiTC Toronto 2004 Panelist Business for the Freelancer
BD4D 2003 4 minute madness, presented audio visualizer
(Multiple appearances at FlashinTO and CreateinTO monthly gatherings)
Three-time coordinator and host of the IronFlash competition. Broadcast in its second year on TechTV.
Awards & Acknowledgements
Digital Marketing Awards 2000 Everest Climb (secondary dev)
Digital Marketing Awards 2000 Aztek Trek (primary dev)
Food and Beverage awards 2001 Popsicle Slurp n’ Burp (primary dev)
FlashForward 2002 Nomination Technical Excellence
FiTC 2002 Nomination Technical Excellence
FiTC 2004 Nomination Best Canadian Studio
Horizon Interactive Awards 2005 Entertainment Biohazard VPS (primary dev)
Horizon Interactive Awards 2005 Flash Biohazard VPS (primary dev)
IAC 2008 Outstanding Achievement Estee Lauder (dev lead)
WebAwards 2008 Best Financial Services Fees and Processes Explained (primary dev)
Applied Arts 2008 Jeep Terrain (secondary dev)
WebAwards 2009 Estée Lauder – Outstanding Website, Best Fashion Website
OMMA Award
2026 Bronze Cannes Lion True Hockey Game On Ball