JO CONRAD
jo@joconrad.co.uk +44 7932 745650
As an experienced, driven and creative designer/maker, I have 11+ years’ experience as a propmaker for film, TV and theatre, at Aardman Animations, BBC, Bristol Old Vic, Cod Steaks, Clapham Rd Studios, Propworks and Arch Model Studios, often leading a team, where I’ve demonstrated my talent for
design, attention to detail and leadership skills.
I have also developed and run three of my own businesses, designing, creating
and selling my own high-end fashion and home décor.
I also have 20+ years’ experience photo editing for clients as well as my own brands which attracted the attention of many department stores such as House of Fraser (UK) and
Takashimaya (Japan), leading to large wholesale orders of my products.
Employment History:
Art Department Supervisor – Dr Oetker Christmas Advert
Arch Model Studio
Jan/Feb 2025
Leading the team for sets and props, and set-dressing on shoot
Art Department Supervisor – McDonald’s Christmas Advert
Arch Model Studio
Sept/Oct 2024
Leading the team for sets and props, and set-dressing on shoot
Set-Builder/Propsmaker on Big Brother Promotional Idents
Arch Model Studio
July/Aug 2024
Building and dressing miniature house for shoot with real guinea pigs
Freelance Propmaker at Propworks and Arch Model Studios
Nov 2021 – present
Many jobs as all-round propsmaker for TV and theatre,
mainly painting, sewing and sculpting
Photo Editor/Colouriser for Curtis Christlieb, LA
(online Photoshop work)
Jan 2024 – present
Colourising and restoring old photos of baseball players
Sole Owner/Designer/Maker at Betsy Bohème, -
Home Décor and Accessories
August 2023 – present
(See details below)
Sole Owner/Designer/Maker at Moloopi –
Animated Shorts and Music Composition
2019 - 2023
Sole Owner/Designer/Maker at Dotty Cuckoo Ltd –
Home Décor and Accessories
2014 – 2019
​
Raising my three children (including twins!) from 2009 - 2014
Sole Owner/Designer/Maker at Shirley Geek Ltd –
Ladies Designer T-shirts – sold to 300 stockists worldwide
2001 – 2009
Propmaker at Aardman Animations Ltd, BBC,
Bristol Old Vic, Cod Steaks and Clapham Rd Studios
1993 – 2000
I have made props, sewn costumes and painted sets for:
FILMS: Many award-winning stopmotion-animated films including Wallace and Gromit;
Wat’s Pig (Peter Lord); Stagefright (Steve Box);
Robbie the Reindeer (Richard Golezowski)
ADVERTS: for clients such as Weetabix, Smarties, Quavers, Polo,
Rice Krispies and Duracell;
MUSIC VIDEOS: such as the Spice Girls’ Viva Forever video;
TV IDENTS: for ITV and BBC;
THEATRE: for productions including West End’s Grease,
Sister Act and 101 Dalmatians;
EVENTS: including the Frida Kahlo Immersive Exhibition, and
Joseph’s coat for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert - July 2022.
My own businesses have involved managing all aspects of the business, including the
design, production, marketing, book-keeping, web-creation, creating and selling
of unique and handmade home décor and accessories.
Also (for Shirley Geek) selling on a large scale to department stores, employing,
training and supervising a team of twenty hand-sewers;
designing catalogues and price-lists; designing trade fair stands, and online customer service.
Education:
BA(Hons) Illustration – 2:1 - University of the West of England 1991-1994
Foundation Art - Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology
Highlights:
Selected to meet the Queen at Aardman Animations!
Made the rainbow parachute that came out of Joseph’s Technicolour Dreamcoat during Jason Donovan’s performance at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Party
Worked on Oscar-nominated and Bafta-winning films at Aardman Animations
Won award for Best New Exporter UK for my fashion brand Shirley Geek
Skills:
Sewing – Painting – Sculpting – Woodwork – Image Editing (Photoshop)
Highly creative - Strong attention to detail - Innovative ways of solving creative problems -
Good eye for colour - Patience with repetitive work - Good communicator
Links:
Props Portfolio: joconrad.co.uk/props
Socials: Instagram.com/jo_conrad_props
Linked In: linkedin.com/in/jo-conrad-9b864211a
Upwork: http://upwork.com/freelancers/~01b2ca63a594b3d6c0
​
​