Randle rambles

Randles rambles is a blog by John Randle,  I am currently residing as Head of Design at Harvest Digital. I have been involved in all things to do with new media, interactive, internet, online, digital etc for over 12 years working for numerous agencies accross London, UK.

A potted history
I spent my design education under the very watchful eye of the hugely influential tutor and designer David Crow. Studying at Salford University for a BA (Hons)

Had experimental font published in Fuse 15 ‘Cities’ by Neville Brody’s Research Studios.

Took the decision to move to London.

1997 – 1999: Bill Smith Studio – Designer
First job for the great album sleeve designer Bill Smith who designed sleeves for artists including Genesis, The Cure, The Jam, Kate Bush, Mike Oldfield and Led Zeppelin.

Record sleeve work for recording artists such as Mike Oldfield, Eternal, Vanessa Mae, Mica Paris and Gary Barlow.

Commissioned graphic illustrations for MacUser magazine and computer game packaging for Virgin Interactive.

1999 – 2000: AMX Studios – Designer
Moved over to the world of new media working for the equally influential pairing of Malcolm Garrett & Alisdair Scott.

An amazing time at the start of the age of ‘New Media’ developing enhanced cd’s and dvd’s (only the beginnings of web design work around then!) but did web work for the Spice Girls and Melanie C, Saatchi & Saatchi and BT. I still remember the delight in everyone’s faces when the studio got it’s first cd burner!

2000 – 2001: AMX Studios – Senior Designer
Working on larger interactive projects across multiple platforms (websites, intranets, extranets, kiosk, interactive TV) for larger blue-chip clients including Barclays bank (first ever intranet), The Woolwich (the launch of Open Plan online), Sky, BT, Logica, Accenture and Hutchison 3G.

2001 – 2002: AMX Studios – Art Director
Continuing to work on large interactive projects for clients including Thistle Hotels, Andersen and QinetiQ dipping a toe into mobile apps and motion graphics. The AMX team worked on several feature films including Resident Evil and Event Horizon.

2002 – 2003: Arnold Interactive – Art Director
More of the same large interactive projects for various clients including Barclaycard, Expedia, Samsung and Prudential after the merger of AMX & Zinc then two Havas companies.

2003 – 2006: Balance – Design Director
New venture with a new direction. A smaller team with a design studio attitude focussing on print work, online campaigns and motion graphics projects for a wide range of clients including Virgin (V Festival), Five (Milkshake brand & onscreen identity), Superbrands (Coolbrands book), MTV (European Music Awards identity) and Great Eastern Hotel (Staff literature).

2006 – 2010: Harvest Digital – Head of Design
Back to the exciting challenge of focussing purely on digital campaigns, strategic relationships and display advertising. Working with a variety of clients including 3M, Auto Trader, RBS, NatWest, Sage and Navteq.

Have had work published in the following publications: MacUser, Macworld, Create Online, Fuse and Type 1.

Nominated for several awards, managed to make it make it as a finalist a few times but no gold on the mantle piece yet, bah!