Ian Simmons

Background

Ian Simmons has over 30 years of experience in the creative industries. He has worked as a freelance designer and illustrator across all areas of the industry, producing work for organisations such as the BBC, NHS (Wales), Ministry of Defence, National Coal Board (Wales), Warner Music Group, and agencies and publishers worldwide, illustrating books, magazines, and graphic novels.

He has also served as a role model for the Welsh Assembly Government’s Big Ideas scheme, visiting schools, colleges, and universities to speak about entrepreneurship and business start-ups.

In addition, Ian is a writer and artistic director for a charitable Swansea City FC fanzine which, over the 20+ years of his involvement, has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.

As a musician and songwriter, Ian has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, and has been an active session musician in studio, live, and broadcast settings. An active member of the Musicians’ Union, he has written songs in a wide variety of styles, with works published by companies including Warner/Chappell Music and EMI.

Specialist Subjects

Illustration
Graphic Design
Advertising and Marketing
Songwriting
Music Performance
Creative Writing
Entrepreneurship
Intellectual Property Rights

Professional and/or Research Experience

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship - has been self-employed for 30+ years and am an Academic Champion of Entrepreneurship at UWTSD. Also, a role model with WAG Big Ideas as outlined above.

Intellectual Property Rights - has had firsthand experience of protecting IPRs across the wider creative industries and have continually researched and updated my knowledge throughout the time he has been self-employed.

Qualifications

OND Technical Illustration and Graphic Design
HND Illustration and Graphic Design
Professional Certificate in Education

Languages Spoken

English

Professional Membership or Roles

Role Model with the Welsh Assembly's Big Ideas Wales scheme, visiting schools, colleges and youth organisations to talk about self-employment opportunities and business start-ups

Academic Teaching

BA Illustration

External Recognition or Rewards

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Professional Publications

'Think Engineer' with author Jon Holt. Illustrated a picture book for schoolchildren to promote STEM subjects.
'Signs of Life' with author Paul Kane. Cover illustration and design as well as interior illustrations.
'Stages of Undress' by Stephen Deighan. Cover illustration and design as well as interior illustrations.
Many other book and magazine illustration/design.
Has appeared and performed on BBC Radio Wales (Cardiff Big Weekend and many other performances), S4C (Several Heno appearances).
Countless musical releases through Warner Chappell Ltd, EMI Ltd and independent releases

Additional Information

Has worked as a Role Model employed on a sub-contract basis for the Welsh Assembly Government's Big Ideas Wales to visit schools, colleges and universities and give talks on business start-up and entrepreneurship. Has also co-produced and published a Swansea City Football Club fanzine; proceeds from which go to various local charities and children’s sport teams – which also has an event promotion side to the enterprise that raises money through live concert and theme nights. Ian and his business partner have been doing this for 15+ years and have raised many thousands of pounds for the causes they support. Has been, and still currently, an Academic Champion of Entrepreneurship for the university for the last 17 years, mentoring graduates and organising/taking part in entrepreneurial activities. Ian also works closely with the university’s commercial services department; organising industry visits and writing reports on the entrepreneurship education within UWTSD. He has also been a freelance musician/songwriter/record producer and played all over the world as well as releasing songs published through Warner Chappell Ltd, EMI Ltd and independently.