Meet the Team
Fresh out of uni with a first-class degree from Salford University, Mike dove straight into the Shape team. Mike has an innate ability to translate ideas into visually stunning digital experiences. His keen eye for design and attention to detail make him an invaluable asset to our team. Now, he's not just a web designer but a dad, too. He's become a pro at designing and changing nappies ... talk about mastering the art of multitasking!
Wow, come to think about it... I’ve been a part of the team at Shape for almost eight years now. I joined straight out of uni after graduating with a 1st class honours from Salford University. Time flies when you’re having fun, hey!
I love the versatility of working as a web designer at Shape. I love coming to work almost on a daily basis not knowing what I’ll be working on. Projects range so much that each and every day is different. It’s one of the main reasons I decided to join Shape given the opportunity straight out of university. Oh, and the people aren't too bad either.
I used to ride my bike LOTS, I mean lots… 15-20 hours a week, but since the arrival of baby Rosie on Christmas day 2022, I’ve not really had time to do anything else except care for her. Riding bikes, going to the gym, and socializing with friends have all been substituted for dirty nappies and endless time spent watching Miss Rachel on YouTube (Don’t knock it til you’ve had a baby 😜)
I get asked this a lot, and it’s honestly really difficult to choose, I genuinely enjoy every project I work on, and each one brings its own unique challenges that they’re all enjoyable in their own way.
When I was in school, I was very active. I loved playing football and getting outside, but my grades were much higher in art and design, so my tutors advised me to take that route. After leaving school, I knew I wanted to do something creative, and Graphic Design allowed me to do that. I had never really thought about being a web designer until I started university in 2014. I was on Jason and Andy's web design course, and I loved every minute of it. Here I am today!
I tend to use a select few websites for inspiration. It all depends on the project, but as a general rule, I like to use Awwwards to look at competitors, Dribbble for elements and Instagram as a last resort. If I'm really struggling, I venture onto sites like SiteInspire, WebCreme and httpster. On that note, I'd like to add that I don't usually like to get too many references when starting a project. I always find it would hinder my creativity, and I would end up going down the same route as them, even if I didn't mean to.
