At Havant & South Downs College, we have a number of highly skilled, dedicated and passionate teaching staff.
These lecturers go above and beyond to help our students reach their full potential.
We want to shout about these integral members of our HSDC community, so every month we will be finding out about the people behind our teaching excellence with our ‘Staff in the Spotlight’ feature.
This month we are recognising Simon Mobbs who is an HND Graphic Design lecturer.
How long have you worked at the College?
13 years.
Why did you choose the subject that you teach?
I received positive feedback for both my drawing ability and my verbal academic presentations when at college and university. Lecturers, friends and family said ‘you could definitely become a teacher’ on a number of occasions and I guess that idea stuck.
What was your journey/training before coming to HSDC?
– A BA Hons in Design (Illustration pathway)
– Several years as a freelance illustrator (editorial illustrations, graphic novels, children’s books, storyboarding)
– A PGCE in Post Compulsory Education
– Lecturer Posts at Fareham College and Basingstoke College of Technology
– Guest lecturer at Swindon College and Portsmouth University
Do you practice the subject you teach outside of work?
I regularly complete training courses to expand my knowledge base. For example online training for new Adobe software or short courses in subjects such as Infographics or Advertising at Central St Martins College.
What is the highlight of your role at HSDC?
Seeing the confidence, design ability and employability of my students grow over the course of several years.
Seeing my ex students progress on to fulfilling creative careers.
What kind of careers have your students gone on to do?
Graphic design, branding/marketing, web design, packaging design.
What kind of opportunities are students offered on your course?
Students are specifically supported with maximising work experience opportunities in year two.
In general, students are given the opportunity to develop transferable skills useful for work and higher education including research skills, the ability to meet deadlines and communication skills.
What three words would your students use to describe you?
Organised, approachable, persistent.