Meet Mark
Mark Smallman of MacGraphic.co.uk
WordPress Wrangler since 2009
Biography
Mark began his career in photographic retail in 1989, before working as a studio assistant and darkroom operator shortly afterwards. He later went on to run his own photographic studio for a time.
With the introduction of digital imaging, Mark transitioned to digital photography and desktop publishing. In 1998, he started as a print finisher and, within the same company, progressed through several roles — from Print Finisher to Digital Press Operator, Pre-press Operator, and eventually Senior Designer — all within just nine months.
After the closure of the print company, Mark joined a specialist publisher, working primarily with local government departments in Northern Ireland.
He then moved to a newspaper publisher, followed by a magazine publisher, where he was responsible for all photography, design, and layout for three bi-monthly publications. This involved working directly with advertising and editorial clients, and overseeing the supply of all print-ready files to the chosen print company.
Since 2009, Mark has been freelance, offering desktop publishing and web design services to clients worldwide.
Mark & WordPress
While Mark lived in Scotland, he attended the WordPress Meetup events held in Edinburgh. On returning to Northern Ireland in 2013, Mark found there was no local WordPress Meetup, so set-about setting one up, which ran until the Covid pandemic hit the events.
During 2016, Mark was lead organiser for the first ever WordCamp to take place within Northern Ireland, and first ever official WordCamp on the island of Ireland. WordCamp Belfast 2016 brought together 155 local, national and international speakers, sponsors, volunteers and WordPress users.
In 2017 Mark was co-organiser for the first WordCamp in Dublin, which was attended by 243 WordPress users. And in 2018 was once again lead organiser for the second WordCamp Belfast. WordCamp Dublin returned in 2019, and again Mark was co-organiser for the event.
Mark has also spoken and volunteered at a number of WordCamps. These included WordCamp London 2016, Edinburgh 2016 and 2017, and also WordCamp Europe in Vienna in 2016, and Paris in 2017.
During 2021 Mark successfully completed the strict vetting process to be listed as a ‘Certified Codeable Expert’. The process took almost 6 months to complete. A process that only 2% of all applicants complete. Currently Mark is the only ‘Certified Codeable Expert’ on the island of Ireland.
Core Contributor
Marketing Contributor
Meetup Organiser
WordCamp Organiser
WordCamp Speaker
WordPress Events
WordPress Belfast Meetup lead organiser
January 2014 to January 2019
- Arranging of Meetup venue location.
- Preparing of required equipment, tables and seating.
- Organising monthly discussions involving 10-50 members.
- Organisation of both internal and external speakers at Meetups.
- Preparation and delivery of topics and presentations for discussion as required.
WordCamp Belfast lead organiser
October 2016 & May 2018
- Venue arrangement.
- Sponsor coordinator.
- Volunteer selection and co-ordinator.
- Speaker selection and co-ordinator.
- Event co-coordinator.
- WordCamp Dublin (co-organiser 2017 & 2019).
WordCamp Speaker:
- WordCamp Belfast 2016.
- WordCamp Dublin 2017.
- WordCamp Edinburgh 2017.
WordCamp Volunteer Photographer
- WordCamp London 2016.
- WordCamp Europe 2016 (Vienna).
- WordCamp Europe 2017 (Paris).
- WordCamp Edinburgh 2017.
- WordCamp Edinburgh 2018.
Why wait? Lets get started!
Contact Mark today and arrange a free initial consultation on your project.
Contact Mark Today