It’s been quite a year! Here are a few of my highlights from 2015.

My Route

Without doubt, the largest project I’ve ever worked on.

My Route was a heritage project looking at the history of the Stratford Road in Birmingham through the changing businesses.

I was commissioned by Sampad to design a touch table to allow the users to explore a map of the road, and find stories through audio, image and video content.

This involved working with partner organisations over many months before the final project was complete.

Next stage:  I’d love to work on something similar again – I found the heritage/tech/design crossover particularly interesting.

Tableau

I’ve been using Tableau since 2010 but it’s only recently that I’ve actually turned it into a service I can offer clients.

Tableau is a tool that allows you to create quick charts and dashboards with your own data. It’s incredibly powerful and has helped me with many of my own projects in the past. I am now working with a few clients, using Tableau to present their data and create interactive tools for their websites.

The key point for me was working on a ‘for-fun’ project (left) showing the top 30 design studios in the UK. It’s incredible how useful working on personal projects can be, especially if they are a success. This one has currently had over 4000 views and the magazine loved it!

The next stage is to tighten up my Tableau process. I need to develop a defined workflow, as I have for infographics and data design.

Training / Consultancy

The training side of my business has grown considerably this year. During 2014 I was delivering courses to local councils and arts organisations interesting in learning more about infographics and data design.

During 2015 I delivered a training day at the European Research Institute in the Netherlands (with more training to come in that country) and 2 training days at the Press Association for 2 different organisations.

I have realised that there is need for a consultancy service – allowing me to work with organisations, helping them sort their data and build infographics.

The next stage for me is to really develop the consultancy side of my business.

Music Journalism Book

 2015 started out with me wrapping up the final edits of a music journalism distance learning book/module for the Open School of Journalism. I’d spent most of November and December writing this, and was so pleased to finally see the finished version in print late 2016.

I was a broadcast journalist for several years (including 5+ as a music reporter at Kerrang! Radio), before moving into infographics design. Writing this book was a great excuse to dig back into my memories and relive some of those moments.

The next stage is for me to turn a version of this text into an ebook (with permission from the School) and sell it on Amazon. That’s a job for 2016.

Planning a Relocation

Anyone who knows me will know I’ve been yearning to move to Brighton for years. I was a student there and always said I’d move back when I could afford to. Well, I’m, not sure WHO could afford to live in Brighton but I’ve decided to make a go of it anyway! My apartment in Birmingham sold quickly and now I’m on the hunt for something down there.

The next stage is to find an apartment in Brighton and set up shop down there! Hopefully my current clients won’t notice too much of a change in service – and for the London ones, I’m even closer. Plus, Brighton is a cool, digital and arty city, and I hope it will bring about more customers.