TheBottlerocket.co.uk
Hello. My name is Tim Allan and I am a digital creative based in London. I have used the term ‘digital creative’ as its seems like an appropriate catch-all for the things I am involved in. Essentially I am a designer, concentrating in the digital arena but what I do, through my freelance work, is provide design innovation for clients.
What this really means to me is that I help clients tell their stories.
“Telling stories” might be as equally ill-defined as ‘digital creative’, or “user experience design” and its use here is not meant to provide some revelation into the digital design process. However, after just over 10 years working with a variety of agencies and clients, there is one thing which always seems to ring true. Clients need something communicated and you are helping them tell that message. And that message can be told in a number of ways,: it can be innovative, clever, ground breaking, award winning , cheap, or effective...the list goes on. It can be any or all of those things, but it is always one thing, and that is memorable..
A short look at my career
Originally from Australia, I graduated from university with an honours degree in design after which worked for various agencies over there in the late nineties
I arrived in the UK around 2001 and started work for the branding agency Fitch as a senior where I worked on the GE account. After that I joined DNA (later bought out by Avenue A|Razorfish) for a couple years before going freelance.
Once freelance I have worked for a number of the top design and advertising agencies in London such as Tonic, Mook, AKQA, Agency.com. Freelancing has allowed me to experience a variety of briefs over many sectors: FMCG, automotive, telecoms, publishing and retail. With the work has ranging from online Advertising, Direct Marketing to Interface design, eCommerce and mobile.
How I work
Lets get this straight, design and advertising need two different mind-sets for each to be done well.
As a designer I see user experience as one the the cornerstones of my profession and one of the key areas where I can help a clients brand sing. From de-cluttering of information, to the creation of innovative navigation systems, the design of these systems needs to always be mindful of its execution, implementation and use. Great design solutions seem to make all this appear effortless, the interface communicates exactly what it needs to in the most efficient manner possible.
As an advertising creative, my first instinct is to shutdown the computer and simply come up with some great concepts for the brief. This, combined with an intimate knowledge of user interaction results in well crafted and innovative use of technology. And if you’re interested, I still use the same Tria marker I had at University (yes, the exact same marker).
What I am up to now
Essentially I provide freelance design consulting both in-house and as an external supplier. In some respects, I am essentially a studio of one, but with very good relationships with a group of designers and developers whom I work with on a project by project basis. The last few years, I have been working closely with the BBC, helping conceive and conceptualise new products, some of which may eventually see the light of day. In addition to that, I was also commissioned to lead the design for large UX/Design projects such as the redesign of BBC three that was launched in February 2010.
What next?
Well you can download my CV if you require any more specific information, but if you do have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either email of use the contact form below. If things are really urgent, then by all means call my mobile.
