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Coaching has always been my leadership style and getting the opportunity to nurture creativity is what I believe makes the design community a great thing to be part of.

Graphic Design Teacher
Online

Dave Bird

Part-time Manchester teacher Dave Bird has worked for a handful of great studios over the last 15+ years. He spent a number of years in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at an agency called Founded. From there he relocated to the North West to work for Wonder Associates moving to Holdens where he lead the creative team. Moving on from there he went across to The Neighbourhood where he specialised in branding but also working closely with the digital and arc-vis teams. Dave now operates as an independent designer specialising in branding projects as well as splitting his time to pursue his passion for illustration and screen printing. In his teaching role, Dave believes that coaching is his most effective leadership style. Getting the opportunity to nurture creativity is what makes the design community a great thing to be part of.

What do you love about design?

Not knowing where I may end up.

Why do you teach?

Coaching has always been my leadership style and getting the opportunity to nurture creativity is what I believe makes the design community a great thing to be part of.

Tell us about your design career outside of Shillington.

Before now? I have worked for a handful of great studios with some great talent. I lived in Newcastle upon Tyne for 15 years, starting off at Sumo Design and then at Founded, where I worked in the Arts and Culture sector for clients like Theatre Royal and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, as well in the travel sector for Eastern Airways. I 2011 the call back to Manchester was too strong. I started working for Wonder Associates, continuing to work in the arts and culture sector. A highlight of my time there was working with the National Trust on re-brand the lake district. I then moved to Holdens where I worked with a superb team. We worked on branding projects for clothes retailers, shops, education and arts and culture. Moving on from there I then began to work with The Neighbourhood, a remarkable team, where I specialised in branding but also working closely with the digital and vis teams. I worked on projects for the property and place market, but was also able to work with some great architects on their branding and websites.

What or who are you loving right now?

Making it up as I go along!

If you were a typeface, what would you be?

Ha, that changes depending on the time of day!

What’s your favourite blog?

Formfiftyfive.

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