All about Dan, our Playground Design Manager
Who knew "Playground Design Manager" was a job title? It takes many different skill sets to get a playground or outdoor learning space from an idea to reality. Dan plays an integral part of the process as he turns the ideas into a workable design. From there, the school or nursery can see how the area will be used and understand exactly what their space will look like once complete. It's also the plan that the installation team follow when the time comes to installing equipment, so they can make sure everything goes exactly where it's supposed to go.
How did Dan become a playground designer?
Can you believe Dan nearly became a brain scientist?! At school he always loved science and maths, so went to university to study neuroscience. Dan realised that lab life wasn't for him (his words-"the brain is freaky") so started a new degree in 3D Modelling and Animation for Games and Media. Dan went in with no knowledge of the industry but it was clearly the right choice as he graduated with a first degree and got his first job offer before completing his final week-in a playground design company!
What do you love about your job?
"Location is great as it's just opposite a café who sell the best cakes ever! I've worked with over 500 schools and nurseries in last two and half years and no two designs have been the same. Even if you're using the same product and surfacing underneath it, it still feels completely different.
Teachers also have different requirements to fulfil, from needing more PE space, to more active play or safer surfacing. There are many ways to solve a problem, it's just a case of finding the best one that looks the most interesting, and the one you and the school think will inspire the children most. The challenges are different too-one school may wish to cover a pond with an amphitheatre whilst another would want it factored into a design"
No day is ever the same. Dan is a graphic designer so playground design isn't the only job he has here. Dan designs our brochures, updates our website, anything else graphic related!
Dan's favourite things
"Sugar! Biscoff sandwiches, Dogs" Dan adopts every dog he passes, but only claims his "puppy" Moose as truly his.
Dan plays the piano and when he wants to be active he loves to go cycling, but also enjoys actively doing nothing. He's a keen floorplan geek designing his own dream home. The designer never stops designing!
More about our team
As we said, Dan is just one part of our wonderful team. You can see more of us here!