About Me | Jnoelbaker

Johnnie Noel-Baker

My name is Johnnie, and I'm a product designer from Athens, Greece, currently completing my final year at the University of Edinburgh.

I found design following a journey of dedication through high-level sports and the outdoors, while discovering my passions.

All great things start with a burning passion—including great design. And my new passion is this: to encourage others to believe in their untapped potential, by inspiring confidence, balance and creativity. My designs will create the mindset and origin for dreams to be realised.

By trusting each of our processes, we can discover our true passions, building lives we can be proud of, balancing our dreams with purpose and joy. Let's start now.

Soft Skills

Problem-solving
Decision making
Teamwork
Communication
Time management
Creativity
Attention to detail
Leadership

Software Skills

Adobe -
Photoshop
InDesign
Illustrator
Premiere Pro
Fusion 360
Bambu Lab
Figma

Manufacturing Skills

Woodworking
Metalworking
Casting
Rapid Prototyping
Finishing
3D printing
Laser Cutting

Languages

English - Fluent
Greek - Fluent
Spanish - A2

Experience

Climbing Design Startup

During the COVID-19 lockdowns I learnt how to use the tools and the machines in a carpentry workshop, to design and build a complete climbing gym with two climbing walls and other training installations. Following that, I started a business manufacturing and selling wooden climbing training equipment such as holds and fingerboards.
More recently, I have been involved in the refurbishing of climbing holds.

Instagram: @jclimbingfactory

Mar 2020 - Present

Intern at Holu Production

Making climbing holds, refining my knowledge of skills and techniques which are essential for producing quality climbing products. More specifically:

Making and refurbishing climbing volumes: assembling-angle grinding-sanding-coating-quality checking-packaging.
Pouring PU holds while operating highly technical machinery.
Trialled shaping new holds.
More tasks which required the skilful use of a variety of tools and attention to detail.

May - Jun 2024

Freelance Climbing Routesetter

I have set for commercial gyms across Europe, opening my eyes to different approaches of being creative and problem solving.
Some gyms I have set for: Walltopia (Sofia, Bulgaria), Rockway (Athens, Greece), AlienBloc (Edinburgh, UK), Blocwald Boulderzentrum, B12 Boulderzentrum, DAV Karlsruhe (Germany).
Throughout my time competing I have worked together with a large variety of coaches and other routesetters during my training, which has greatly inspired my routesetting journey. I am looking forward to continue exploring the boundaries of movement, both for a commercial and professional setting.

Instagram: @jnb_routesetting

Oct 2022 - Present

Freelance Climbing Instructor

Starting at Rockway Climbing Gym in Athens in 2021, I began my journey in climbing coaching. Followed by having more recently gained my Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) certification in Edinburgh, Scotland (2024).

Jul 2021 - Present

Athlete

I have been competing internationally as a climber for Greece since I was 15, after being selected for the national team due to my success in the national climbing championships. I now have 27 podium places in national competitions, and have won the last 4 national bouldering championships which I have competed in. I have now competed in 6 World Cups, 2 European Cups, 2 European Championships, 1 University World Championship, 1 European Youth Championship, and 1 World Youth Championship.

Climbing is my passion. I love climbing on rock and I have trained very hard to improve my performance in competitions. I have not always accomplished my goals, but this has made me try harder, look into my weaknesses, and keep experimenting to find ways to improve myself. Climbing has made me independent, responsible, able to focus, good at problem-solving, methodical and disciplined in my training. These factors have contributed to most of the successes which I have had in multiple areas of my life.

Oct 2018 - Present

Sales Assistant

While studying at University, I worked part-time as a sales assistant at the Scottish mountaineering shop “Tiso”.

I assisted customers in finding the perfect product for each of their needs in the mountains. This is essential for their enjoyment, but can also be key to their survival at times, meaning I must be certain about every piece of information I share.

Oct 2022 - Jan 2024

Education

The University of Edinburgh - BA Product Design

Sept 2021 - May 2025

Leighton Park School, Reading - A Levels
Biology, Geography, Psychology, EPQ: Building a climbing wall.

Sept 2019 - Jun 2021

St Catherines British School, Athens - IGCSE's
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, English Language, English Literature, Physical Education, Spanish, Geography.