HELEN CORR - DESIGN CLINIC CO-ORDINATOR

 

With a successful and varied background in education, Helen has fine-tuned her multi-tasking skills, and brings to the Design Clinic the ability to organise, co-ordinate and manage the variety of ongoing projects on a daily basis. Helen is also the main point of contact between the Design Clinic and our clients, and project manages each job from initial enquiry to final sign off.

 

PAUL DERBYSHIRE - I.T. SUPPORT

 

After graduating from Manchester University in 1997, with a BSc in Electronic Engineering, Paul worked as a Telecommunications and I.T. Consultant on various contracts around the U.K before establishing his own independent company – AlphaPC – in 2004. Says Paul, “Communication is the most essential part of our business. We like to find out exactly what our clients require and understand that sorting out the little I.T. niggles that will make your day run more smoothly, are just as important as the big stuff!”

 

Through The Design Clinic, Paul’s aim is to provide you with the I.T. support your business needs, so that we can grow with you. An extensive range of services is offered from full office server systems to individual PC repairs and set-up issues.

 

We know that your time is your business and consequently we are flexible. We’ll work around you to minimise disruption to your business, whether it be working remotely or out of regular office hours – providing you can recommend a good take-away!

 

ALEX ELLIS - PROGRAMMER

 

Alex graduated with a 2.1 BSc Degree from the University of Huddersfield. He has over 4 years experience in the field of LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) development, creating high end, bespoke content management solutions for businesses (Flash and HTML). More recently he has been moving into the e-commerce field, creating custom online stores and integrating with a wide variety of payment handlers / gateways.

Alex's key skills include: content management, e-commerce, database management, search engine optimisation and Flash / actionscript.

 

RACHEL LIGGETT - PHOTOGRAPHER

 

Rachel graduated with a BA (Hons) Photography from Blackpool and the Fylde College. She has held prominent exhibitions in Manchester and London, and has also been shown at the Lowry in Salford as part of Redeye's Projection 08. She went on to be chosen by the Cornerhouse for the BBC's Bigger Picture shown June 2008 on the Big Screen in Manchester.

The opening photograph shot in Victoria Baths, Manchester in our Photography slideshow has also been chosen by Comme Ca Gallery, Manchester and the Biscuit Factory, Newcastle to be shown Autumn '08 for the Special Edition in association with the SUN (Shot Up North) awards.

 

A recently photographic commission of Rachel's was the shoot of the nationwide ad campaign for Rustlers. Rachel offers creative photography for any brief, with experience in shooting for a broad range of clients, specialising in product, fashion, interiors, architectural and events photography.

 

NIGEL LUND - GRAPHIC DESIGNER

 

Nigel is a specialist in corporate branding and conceptual thinking.  He has a keen interest in popular culture and music, which allows contemporary designs to flow. With a degree in Graphic Design, Nigel was responsible for the iconic logo for Barca, Castlefield, Manchester. He also conceived, wrote and produced the video for The Virginmarys' single, "Soul Vampire", starring Steve Graham of Snatch and Gangs of New York fame.

 

"Design is not a luxury, it is a way of life."

 

PETE RUANE

Heading up the Didsbury Design Clinic, Pete offers a wide range of experience to clients. From a background in I.T. Project Management, he developed the skills to successfully co-ordinate and manage both people and projects.

 

When his company relocated south in 2000, Pete took the decision to stay in the North West to begin building his own business – and to remain close to his spiritual home, Goodison Park.

 

Now with a solid client base, and extensive catalogue of websites, ranging from simple brochure sites to bespoke e-commerce sites, Pete combines his I.T. expertise with a flair for innovative design.

 

Pete is extremely passionate about the development and promotion of independent enterprise – www.didsburylife.com being the realisation of his vision to promote and support small businesses.

 

With his ability to communicate in jargon-free plain English, coupled with an extremely ethical approach to marketing, Pete will ensure that your experience with The Didsbury Design Clinic will be creative, fruitful and long-lasting. Click here to see what what clients say about their dealings with Pete.

 

NIC SHARRATT - WEBSITE DESIGNER

 

Nic graduated in 2002 with a degree in Computing and Psychology from the University of Derby. After graduating, he worked for 5 years in Chester for one of the UK's leading Motivation and Incentive companies. He left Chester to go travelling around South East Asia for four months, before moving to Manchester upon return to work for a major Telecommunications company.

Nic has been working in web design since 2006, first cutting his teeth on websites for a couple of Manchester bands. He has been a part of the Design Clinic team since April 2008.

With a sound understanding of current web technology, Nic likes to keep up with the latest trends to hit the Internet. His main design interests are music and media sites - the more unusual and innovative the better. His favourite program is definitely Photoshop. According to Nic, "It's changing the world..."

 

SARAH TIERNEY - COPYWRITER

 

Sarah specialises in producing reader-focused text that will put your message across in a concise, convincing and engaging way. With five years' copywriting experience and a portfolio that includes work for Boots, the Co-operative Group, Pipex, Manchester City Council, and the Environment Agency, she is well-equipped to handle the written elements of your communication projects.

 

She has worked as an advertising copywriter and as a journalist, so she is skilled in creating short, conceptual copy as well as longer documents.

 

In her spare time, Sarah writes short stories (Film4’s Cinema Extreme is currently making one into a short film), and she brings the same emphasis on creativity and craft to her business writing.

 

Whether you need a website, promotional materials, brochures, newsletters, or reports, she can produce text that will speak clearly and persuasively to your target audience.

 

Sarah gained a 2.1 degree in English from Sheffield Hallam University in 1998, and began working as a copywriter and journalist after completing a creative writing MA at Manchester University in 2002. Having worked as a copywriter at Manchester City Council (employed and freelance) for several years, she has experience as a freelance editor and journalist for the late City Life magazine for three years. She was also employed as a writer by the communications agency, Work Communications, for 18 months and still freelances for them on a regular basis.

 

PAUL WOLFGANG WEBSTER - PHOTOGRAPHER

Photographer Paul Wolfgang Webster BA studied at Bradford University. Paul has photographed New York and Manchester over the last twelve years. In 1994 Paul met George Tyce (printer for Edward Stiechen) in New Jersey where he studied printing techniques. In 2007 The National Portrait Gallery chose one of Paul's photographs of Fred Dibnah for their extensive collection, and in October 2008 Paul was awarded the status of honorary member of the gallery. In 2008, Paul joined Didsbury Design Clinic as one of our photographers.