All projects are unique. My approach and methodology are equally individual. Yet they are based on many years of experience in the interpretive design industry and an extensive skills base. Although I work mostly as an individual, where project scales or specialist skills are required, I form teams with other consultants. Consequently, I can meet the challenge of most types of projects.

Model making

From left: “Robert the Bruce”, The Storytelling Wall, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh.Two-dimensional full size Peregrine Falcon. Architectural working model, Castlehill Reservoir, Edinburgh; Masters Degree study.

I have a particular skill in all types of model making. Examples include:

Model sets
Created for the Scottish Storytelling Centre, where I produced twenty model sets for a hinged interactive structure referred to as the Storytelling Wall.

Wildlife Models
Two-dimensional, full sized creatures are popular interpretive and educational support tools with organisations such as the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Architectural and space planning
Such models are very useful design tools that encourage experimentation and dialogue. They also help clients who are uncomfortable with reading plans or understanding scale.

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Museum Interactives and Lightboxes

Left: “What eats what?” Interactive jigsaw puzzle, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve, SWT
Right: “The Wheel of Destiny” Interactive puzzle, John Knox House Museum, Edinburgh

Left: “Mud Creatures” Interactive light box, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve. SWT
Right: “The Oak Kist”, John Knox House Museum, Edinburgh.

Left: The Robert Louis Stevenson interactive light box, The Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Right: The Cheviot Centre, NNP (John Finlay Associates)

My model making skills also complement the design of interactives. For example, jigsaw puzzles are a great way to get visitors involved. Sometimes the simplest of things, such as lifting a stone, are best! Plus, Interactivity means people remember messages. Even Light boxes and buttons can be compellingly interactive.

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C.A.D. Computer Aided Design and Illustration

Above: The Triptych Graphic Panel, The Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh

Above: Lugworm, Lapwing and Mussel illustration, “The World of Tides”, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre & Wildlife Reserve, SWT

I have extensive experience of designing all types of graphic panels and I am also an accomplished illustrator.

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Museum Cases and Case Displays

Left: “Down the Well”, The Auld Kirk Museum, Kirkintilloch. (Winner of the Countess of Montrose Award)
Centre: “The Foundry”, The Auld Kirk Museum, Kirkintilloch.
Right: Model Sets and Cases, The Storytelling Wall, the Scottish Storytelling Centre

This is a very specialist skill that I have been involved with on many projects. In addition to conservation issues, all cases do not always need to be rectangles. Plus bringing their contents to life is equally important.

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Exhibition Design

Left: The Cheviot Centre, Wooler for the Northumberland National Park, in conjunction with John Finlay Associates.
Right: The Osprey Watch at the David Marshall Lodge, Forestry Commission.

As well as working independently I occasionally join forces with a small design team for various large scale exhibition design projects. These have included The Auld Kirk Museum at Kirkintilloch, Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre (SNH) and Montrose Basin Visitor Centre (SWT). It's a good opportunity to follow a project through from concept to completion, putting a number of skills to the test!

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Theatrical Settings and Textural Effects

Left: Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre
Right: Huntly Peregrine Wildwatch, Forestry Commission

Transporting visitors to another reality is an important part of the interpretation process. Having originally trained and worked as a theatre set designer I have experience of scene painting, prop making and all aspects of theatrical effects and audio visual aids.

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Digital Photography and Image Search

Over the years I have accumulated an extensive picture library which consists mostly of images of our built and natural heritage, both here in Scotland and beyond. My images have been used in exhibitions and on websites.

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