Mr Alex Stothard

After working as a Retail Designer in the Midlands UK and in New York US for fifteen years, I moved in to full time academia in April 2015 where I am now a Senior Lecturer of Interior Design at De Montfort University.

Teaching across all levels of Undergraduate and Postgraduate study, I have brought together my industry experience with modern pedagogy methods to develop learning resources which aid students’ knowledge and understanding of; research and design methodology, design thinking, technical development, sustainability and inclusivity, visual communication and employability.

My commercial experience has been essential for teaching of the skills and knowledge required to work in the design industry, however my re-connection with academia has developed my research interests in multi disciplinary design and the significant 'added value' of good design practice.

As an experienced retail design practitioner, my portfolio spans international brands from the cosmetic, jewellery, food, clothing and spirit sectors. I work across all stages in the design process; from the initial strategy, concept and brand development, customer experience, space planning, visualisation and drawing intent packs.

I use my experience of ‘design thinking’ in the creation of teaching and learning material. Placing the modern DMU student at the centre, I will define the learning outcome and I will research and develop innovative methods and materials the students are more likely to respond to. I engage students in group problem solving design challenges and encourage exposure to other design disciplines, so they can understand their role in the larger design community.

An area that I am very interested in developing further is a cross discipline platform within programmes which will increase confidence in multidisciplinary design by highlighting the shared processes and methods. I would like to investigate further potential social, economic and physiological value of design as a strategic tool for problem solving, including sustainable development goals.

Beyond the confines of the Interior Design programme, I have developed a visual learning tool in the form of a note management application called ‘Notebuilder’. Conceptualised from the research undertaken in my Masters, I secured two funding grants for this product to be built and commericalised. ‘Notebuilder’ is a post-lecture application which allows students to collate the information they have gathered from taught sessions i.e. handwritten notes, lecture slides, photos and handouts, whilst including spaces for their own interpretation of the content; all in one simple file. Through out this process I have engaged with students from my programme, and wider, to assist in the co-creation of this application to ensure it is usable and appealing to the intended audience.

Full time teaching/ tutoring of Interior Design (Interior Architecture and Spatial Design) across level 4,5,6 and 7.

Module leader/ design for undergraduate and postgraduate. Level 4 module for skill based ‘Visual Communication’ and Level 4 and 5 design project work. Level 7 module leader for ‘Design for Retail. This responsibility involves the arrangement and sequence of workshops, seminars, lectures and tutorials.

Design and development of learning resources specifically for the teaching of interior design to higher education students, based on researched, evidence based theory and practice.

Pathway tutor for level 5 ‘Promotional Events’ which specialises in the design and development of interior spaces which engage consumers in a memorable experience as means of disseminating a key message, change opinions or behaviours. This role has included collaborating with local brands or design agencies to act as our ‘live clients’.

Teaching conference workshop delivery and contribution to the DMU learning community. To date this has been concentrated on the sharing of the findings from the academic note taking research, including the conceptual development of the academic note taking management application ‘Notebuilder’.

MA Supervision for level 7 MA Design students. This role involves assisting the students to develop their own learning contract and offering guidance and tutorials at key time of the design process. Marking and feedback is also required within this role.

MA Educational Practice: Distinction September 2016-September 2018: De Montfort University Leicester

PG Cert Higher Education/Higher Education Administration: Distinction September 2015-September 2016: De Montfort University Leicester

BA(Hons) Product and Furniture Design: 2:1 September 1997- June 2000: De Montfort University Leicester

Interior Design BA(Hons)

Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellow- June 2017

Notebuilder: Academic Note Management Application- 2018 ‘Notebuilder’ is a post-lecture application which allows students to collate the information they have gathered from taught sessions i.e. handwritten notes, lecture slides, photos and handouts, whilst including spaces for their own interpretation of the content; all in one simple file. Through out this process I have engaged with students from my programme, and wider, to assist in the co-creation of this application to ensure it is usable and appealing to the intended audience.

The Re-Imagination of the LGBT Centre Leicester-Feasibility With the aim of developing a community café within the premises of the Leicester LGBT Centre, this feasibility research report was co-created with student volunteers and the staff from the Centre. Primary research was undertaken with the service providers and service users and precedence were investigated through conversations with LGBT centres from other parts of the country. A design concept for the community café was developed which has been used a part of a bid to obtain grants and donations to fund the project.

Sheridan & Co, Riverside, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7PT & 36 E 31st St Room 1003, New York, NY 10016 April 2006- April 2015 Senior Creative Designer

Senior Creative Designer in a productive, inspiring and fast paced design studio. As part of a team or individually, I conceptualised, design and developed high end standalone stores, retail concessions, point of sale and promotions for premium and luxury brands. Taking the creative lead on many projects, I have also project managed new concepts to ensure all details are executed and to make continuous improvements to the concept whilst being realized. I spent part of my time working in New York with the US Sheridan & Co design team.

Leo Associates, 31 Somers Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7DG April 2003 – April 2006 3D Designer

Interior and exhibition designer, predominantly for clients in international aerospace. I conceptualised and designed large five-star hospitality interiors. I was responsible for the space planning, specification of all finishes and sourcing furniture and fittings. I also produced a full set of working drawings for a build contractor. Site visits and snag lists were also part of my role.

MICE (Museum, Interior, Conference and Exhibition) Group, Little End Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 8SN September 2000- April 2003

Working with several display systems as a foundation for a creative design concept, I worked on a variety of projects from exhibitions to museums to in-store displays. I worked on design projects for the internal sales representatives as well as other outside design agencies. I was required to work with other MICE companies, both national and international divisions, on larger scale projects.