With two decades of graphic design knowledge and experience in a multi-disciplinary in-house environment there's not much I won't throw my hand at, from print design to social media, motion graphics to website design. I have a keen eye for detail and like to keep up to date with the latest trends and software updates to better my work.
Inner nerd
I am technically sound in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects and take pride and enjoyment from knowing a document in InDesign uses all the right paragraph and characters styles, object styles and even a bit of GREP thrown in. I have also been known to throw my hand to some web coding - HTML, CSS, Java
Leadership
Outside of my design career I am also an experienced leader with nearly ten years as a volunteer police officer with Greater Manchester Police. I manage a team of 25 Special Constables both pastorally and operationally. This experience has helped my design career as it allows me to build my transferable skills such as – event planning, working under pressure, people management, client liaison, problem solving and thinking outside of the box.
"I can't figure out if Rob is a good developer with an eye for design or a designer with a brain for code. Either way, I'd work with him again."
James Shannon, Digital Development Manager
Education
BA (Hons) Graphic Design, The University of Salford
I studied graphics at Salford between 2001–2004, with a speciality in motion graphics and electronic media. This is where I developed my attraction to all things nerdy. Across a wide range of media types we were encouraged to explore how each different output could work for our campaigns.
BTEC Design and Visual Communications, South Trafford College
The course at South Trafford helped me to build the basics of design, from looking at the origins of fine art, through to the skills needed to take an excellent photo and process it in the traditional dark room manner. This really helped me to understand the broad spectrum of the word "design". In the latter part of our course we moved on to more modern forms of communication including the new phenomenon, the World Wide Web, in the late 90's this was still just getting started and this was our first outing into the world of HMTL.
Experience
Designer, Transport for Greater Manchester
August 2005 – Present
Since joining TfGM in 2005 I have worked across 1000's of projects and campaigns, building my skills in creative thinking and execution as well as with the Adobe Creative Suite packages. Projects at TfGM range from branding, graphic design, vehicle livery, print design, art direction, logo and identity design, web and interactive media, UI/UX and motion graphics.
I have also been fortunate to mentor several Apprentices and Junior Designers allowing me to not only develop my own skills but those of future designers too.
My inner geek also comes in handy as I have been fundamental in setting up several project management processes and systems in my time here helping to organise and structure the way projects are briefed into the team and recorded, as well as filling and scheduling.
Web Developer (Front End), Transport for Greater Manchester
July 2016 – November 2016
During 2016 I was seconded to the Front End Web Development team at TfGM where I worked on a range of HTML, CSS and Javascript based projects for the TfGM website.
Special Constabulary Inspector, Greater Manchester Police
December 2012 – Present
In my free time I volunteer as a Special Constable for Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Since 2012 I have worked across many different operations, incidents and events allowing me to build transferable skills that I use in my paid work. My role at GMP is Special Inspector and this see's me take the lead of 25 Special Constables from the Trafford District, including the direct leadership of 3 Special Sergeants.
The District Lead role means that I am responsible for making sure that the officers are completing their minimum hours, that they are safe and legal to work as a warranted constable and that they are being deployed effectively and inline with the district and force priorities.