Consultants

Communication Design consultants have extensive experience and qualifications in business, design, information management, communications, and marketing.

We're a small group of consultants offering our clients innovative solutions with practical implementation. Our team are knowledgeable and effective communicators and problem-solvers.

We also use extended network of IT consultants drawing on a rich vein of specialist technical knowledge.

Susan Cowan, Director, web strategist

Master of Arts (Virtual Communication), RMIT Melbourne.
Graduate Certificate (Multimedia Design) Swinburne, Prahran.

Susan has a background in communication, IT and design.

Her knowledge and experience in online strategy, communicating key messages, information architecture, web site production and communication strategy have allowed her to successfully take on a wide range of web projects.

Since 2002, following postgraduate study into the dynamics and management of successful online communities, Susan’s work has focused strongly on understanding community models, social networking and developing web strategy for online community building.

For the past 6 years, Susan has specialised in incorporating web 2.0 strategies in Internet and intranet sites, for a range of private enterprise and government clients.

From 2005-2006 she lectured in Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Online Marketing and Building Online Communities at masters level at RMIT.

In March 2007 she chaired a conference on Designing Usable Intranets and presented a paper on the role of Web 2.0 (social networking) in intranet design. In May 2008 she has been invited to present a paper on web 2.0, and building communities, at a librarians conference.

She is currently advising a number of PR and marketing professionals on the value of social networking and web 2.0 for their work.

Alana Birchall

Master of Arts (Virtual Communication), RMIT Melbourne
Master of Arts (Communication), Monash University
Graduate Diploma Information Management (Archives Administration), University of New South Wales
Member PRIA

Alana is a communications professional with over 10 years experience in the corporate sector, working in both external and internal communications. She has broad experience in strategic communications planning and execution, and writing for a range of media. Prior to moving into communications, Alana worked in information management for five years.

Alana has considerable experience in project management, having managed major corporate events and publishing projects.

Dr Chris Miller, Online Communications Consultant

MBBS, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci, Grad Cert Hlth Inf, MA Virtual Communication

Chris Miller is a registered medical practitioner with extensive experience in online communication and web development.

He project managed the implementation of the South Australian Department of Human Services intranet and websites.

In addition to his medical degree, Chris has a Graduate Diploma in Computer and Information Science, a Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics and a Master of Arts (Virtual Communication).

Chris has a special interest in health based online strategy.

Julie Allbutt, Art Director/Animator

Bachelor of Design, Swinburne, Prahran.
Master of Design (Multimedia ) Swinburne, Prahran.

Julie has created innovative, effective design and brand solutions for over 20 years.

Through her recent masters studies in multimedia she's developed an abiding interest in the moving image. She understands the power of animation to tell a story.

Story telling plays an important role in business to engage staff and customers -- making complex ideas simple through moving images.

She has taught multimedia and animation at Swinburne School of Design. Julie is currently pursuing a doctorate in interaction design.

Annie Drummond, Design Consultant

Annie has worked in the design industry for over 15 years. She specialises in branding and naming with specific emphasis on ensuring the brand is communicated consistently and effectively throughout its life through all media– from business cards to building signage. She is committed to high quality design that works.

Annie has designed solutions for a wide range of corporate clients including Sensis, Orica and Origin Energy as well as many SMEs.

Jane Thompson, PR/Communications Consultant

Diploma of Journalism, Wellington, New Zealand. Post-Graduate Communications studies, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA.

Jane has 27 years’ experience in the news media and public relations industries. After an extensive career in newspaper, radio and television news and current affairs, Jane moved into public relations consultancy, eventually establishing her own business.

She works with a wide range of private and public sector clients, helping them achieve their business objectives through strategic internal and external communications planning and project management, communications audits, writing and editing, and media training.

Nick Grainger, Online Communications Consultant