About

Mike Whalley is retired, having previously held the position of Principal Lecturer in the Faculty of Creativity and Culture at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.

Mike gained a DipAD (Hons) in Three Dimensional Design from Manchester Polytechnic in 1974 and continued academic study under Professor Victor Papanek leading to the award of MA in Industrial Design (Engineering) in 1976. During this time he collaborated in the development of ideas and the creation of illustrations for “How Things Don’t Work”, published in 1976.

Subsequently Mike worked as a designer for TI Raleigh in Nottingham, initially in the Toy Design and later, in the Concept Design Department developing experimental cycles and wheeled toys.

In 1982 he was appointed Lecturer in Three Dimensional Design at West Nottinghamshire College and later became Head of the Three Dimensional Design Section. During this time he developed and led the BTEC National Diploma programme in Industrial Design and led the College Diploma in Crafts. Mike gained an in-service Certificate in Higher education from Trent Polytechnic in 1984.

In 1988 he moved to South Wales to lead the BTEC Higher National Diploma in Industrial Design at Carmarthenshire College of Higher Education. He undertook a variety of consultancy projects on behalf of the college’s enterprise centre that led to designs and prototype production for Dyfed Powys Police, Grundig, Welsh Woolen Mills, The Welsh Museum Service and research into medical delivery systems for Moriston Hospital, among others.

Mike became a member of staff at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University (Buckinghamshire College of higher Education, BCUC) in 1996 teaching undergraduate Three Dimensional Design. He was appointed Principal Lecturer in 2002, and developed the BA(Hons) programme in Digital Media Design in 2004.

In 2007, following Faculty re-organisation, he joined the teaching staff on the BSc Product Design programme. He left the university in 2008 following a period of ill health.

After recuperation Mike briefly taught GCSE and A Level Media Studies at Thames Valley University in Reading.

In semi-retirement he was assistant librarian, cover teacher and invigilator at The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe.

CV and Expertise

Born: 1952 in Lymington, Hampshire

Education:

St Cuthberts RC Primary School, Wigton, Cumbria
Austin Friars School, Carlisle, Cumbria

Carlisle College of Art
Art and Design Foundation

Manchester Polytechnic
DipAD (Hons) Three Dimensional Design
MA Industrial Design Engineering

Trent Polytechnic
Teaching Certificate in Further and Higher Education

Work

TI Raleigh, Nottingham
Toy Design
Concept Design

West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield

Carmartenshire College of Technology and Art, Carmarthen/Llanelli

Buckinhamshire New university, High Wycombe

Thames Valley University, Reading

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe

• Broad Range of Industrial Design, craft and digital skills.
• Excellent drawing and illustration skills.
• Management of resources, professional and technical Staff.
• Teaching experience in Secondary, Further, Higher and Adult education.
• Prioritisation, ordering and management of equipment and materials.
• Course Development in Further and Higher Education.
• Teaching qualifications in F/HE.
• Invigilation, External Examination, Moderation and Validation of Educational Programmes.
• Web Design and management.
• DTP, Office applications.
• Expert user of Photoshop.
• Competent user of Illustrator and other vector based drawing programs.