About

I am a Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Illustration pathways.

I plan, deliver and assess undergraduate modules within the area of design, preparing students for successful careers in the widening creative industries. I ensure that students are challenged and intellectually stimulated by their studies and that they interact with peers and staff in a mutually enriching way. I have helped to create a successful design community within local and national circles and support our current students on their individual creative and academic journeys.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach communication strategy, design thinking and idea generation across specialist graphic design modules in Years 1, 2 and 3. I deliver the fundamentals of visual communication as well as exploring creative strategies for resolving complex graphic design problems. I also deliver The Play Lab for Masters students.

Professional interests

Image-making, ideas, creative writing, book design and illustration form part of my professional interests and direction.

Research interests

I am interested in all forms of visual narrative and storytelling, whether this be branding, visual identity, sequential illustration, editorial design, or creative wordplay. I have a special interest in children’s illustration.

Membership of professional bodies

I am a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy.

Qualifications

• Fellow of The Higher Education Academy
• Masters Degree in Visual Communication - Birmingham City University
• Academic Bursary awarded from The Midland Independent Newspaper Group
• Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - Birmingham City University
• Certificate Professional Practice-Teaching in Higher Education (CPP) - University of Derby
• BA (Hons) Illustration - Liverpool Johns Moores University

Experience in industry

• Freelance Illustration for publishing, editorial, merchandising and advertising
• National and international advertising campaigns
• Promotional materials for Ernest and Julio Gallo Wineries.
• Merchandising for The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
• Broadcast cartoonist for Granada Television, Liverpool and Granada Studios, Manchester
• Numerous international titles /books as illustrator
• International author

International experience

Previously responsible for International Partnership assessment/moderation and monitoring for The Raffles Academy, Malaysia and Hong Kong, in the delivery of BA (Hons) Graphic Design modules.

Course trips include Paris, Amsterdam and New York, as well as Design Events in London. Most recently Amsterdam 2022.

Additional interests and activities

• Writing for children
• Employability within the Creative Industries

Recent publications

• The Goat Café written by Francesca Simon / Illustrated by Leo Broadley / Faber & Faber / May 2019