Ryan Dean-Corke from sunny England is a designer dedicated to the web

Ryan Dean-Corke is a web and graphic designer from sunny ol’ England (Birmingham in the United Kingdom) to be specific. From the time he was in college at the University of Worcester, Ryan’s interest around web and graphic design grew from CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) programs and later he discovered Photoshop and the web. Since 2007 he has been designing websites professional but originally he studied Creative Digital Media at university which has allowed him to lay the ground work for his career. Ryan’s style is board hinging on his passions for web, graphic, identity and 3D design and when asked he had this to say about his knowledge, skills and education.

Luc @ SWD: How did you first start designing websites and how long have you been designing them professionally?

Ryan says: While studying product design at college, I took a keen interest in the CAD programs. My teacher later introduced me to Photoshop 6.0, which changed my life pretty much. I began reading tutorials on the web and experimenting in my spare time. Eventually I wanted to bring life to what i was creating, and initially used Geocities (RIP) to build (very awful) websites for myself and friends. Once i had a taste for the web I self taught HTML + CSS, so i could build sites properly! My first actual paid work was while i was at University (2007), that’s also when i was taken on as a designer for Wapple.net.

Luc @ SWD: Where did you receive your degree in Creative Digital Media?  Has it helped you become a better web designer?

Ryan says: I earned my degree at the University of Worcester, which was a very interesting experience. My course was very broad, so I wasn’t taught a great deal about web-design, but the whole course in general was more about getting a taste of something in lectures, and learning more off your own back. So in that respect, it’s very similar to what I’m doing now (makes me wonder why it all cost so much…). I however did learn a great deal about project planning, time management, usability, collaborative projects, and generally matured as a designer.

Luc @ SWD: Why did you decide to work part-time for Wapple.net and is your goal to go freelance on a full-time basis?

Ryan says: It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but i felt like i needed a change. Now I get to try new things and develop new skills, and continue to work as part of a creative team. Freelancing is probably my end goal, but i personally love working as part of a great team, so i don’t think it’s something I’ll do anytime soon. Besides, i think there’s much more for me to learn from experienced individuals before i can go solo full time!

Luc @ SWD: What are your “tools of choice” when you are designing?

Ryan says: Moleskine note book, Photoshop, Illustrator, skEdit, Mac OSX

(Also, on occasion: Logic Express, 3DS Max, After Effects, Premier)

Luc @ SWD: I see you’ve worked on a number of projects outside of freelancing including AcidPie Productions?  Do you enjoy taking a more “entrepreneurial” approach towards your career as a designer?

Ryan says: Since the early days, I’ve always wanted to create new sites and realize ideas. Very few of them actually come together for one reason or another, but at the moment I working on a couple blogs in my spare time, which i hope to build into community driven projects. The first being Vgrepublic.com and the second i can’t really talk about as it’s just on paper at the moment!

Acid Pie Productions was something me and Tor Burrows (of notorious design) started during university, for our dissertation project. Through this we met some great people, and designed/produced some great work. I just love the thought of people using something I’ve created or been a part in creating, and that’s always been my drive.