Staff Spotlight: David

David Beresford — Senior 3D Designer

 

How’d you get into the field? 
I left school at 17 after losing interest in studying for A levels. Got a job in an engineering drawing office where I was encouraged to consider acquiring an engineering apprenticeship which I did. After 5 years of that I realised that engineering wasn’t for me so began to look for alternative job opportunities. I had always had a leaning towards the arts at school and after speaking to a friend of a friend, who had studied fashion design, embarked on an Arts Foundation course at my local College of Further Education and that’s where it all started. I finished my Arts Foundation and got a place at Leicester Poly to study Interior Design. Decided, after one term that this wasn’t my cup of tea and transferred to a sister course at the same poly to study Furniture Design. Completed that but with a short supply of job opportunities, at the time of finishing, enrolled to study further and completed a Masters in Environmental Design. Finally, after six years of college and very little income I got a job in London with a Museum and Exhibition Design company and have been dabbling in it ever since.

Key skills: 
I have worked now for over 30 years designing exhibitions for both the public and private sectors from museums and visitor centres to galleries and corporate shows. Those 30 odd years have given me a level of understanding that has allowed me to stay in design practice and hopefully still allows me to contribute to all aspects of the job.

What’s the best part of your job?
I like the diversity of historic content in much of the work.

Favourite project:
I have two favourites - The first two floors of Dressed to Kill in the White Tower (of London) for the strength of its presentation and the power of its content and No Going Back for the opportunity to step out of our comfort zone

3 words to describe your role:

Old school visualiser

In your spare time:
Most of my spare time involves getting out of Glasgow, preferably to the mountains, with my wife (Erika) and our imaginary dog – Stanley the Whippet. Stanley will become a reality once I retire when we will accompany each other along the road to old age awaiting Erika’s retirement.

What would be your dream exhibition to design?
I think it would be a touring exhibition. It would travel to every capital city in the world. Its content would include one object from every country in the world. Each would be a useful object, handmade in sustainable materials and selected by the people of each country as a representation of themselves. 

Bonus round...

Book recommendation?

The Third Policeman – Flann O’Brien

This was a book which was recommended to me at a time in my life when I was unable to sit still long enough to consider reading the sports pages in the paper never mind a whole book – it has stayed with me ever since.

Dead dinner party guest? 
Thomas Beresford (c.1420 – 1473) Lord of Bentley who with his wife Agnes fathered 16 sons and 5 daughters in their 15thCentury Derbyshire home. I am a direct descendant (as are most other Beresford’s dispersed around the world).     

Inspirational hero 
With a love for Furniture Design it would have to be Hans Wegner.