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Digital specialists expand thanks to graduate expertise

Design 365 knew exactly where to go when customers asked the company to design an iPhone app.

Thanks to a relationship with Teesside University’s DigitalCity Innovation project, Design 365 founder Alan Foster recruited a graduate, with mentoring support from a University specialist, to create a mobile phone app development arm to the company.

James Poel, 22, of Darlington, joined 365 after finishing his web development degree at Teesside University in June this year.

Through a Knowledge Exchange Internship (KEI) James has been supported in his new role with expertise through tutoring sessions with Julien Cordry, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science.

Alan, who founded Design 365 nine years ago, said: “I spoke to Teesside University on how I wanted to develop the business.

“They helped me to employ a graduate with the skills needed for the app development side of the business.

“They handled all of the recruitment process, sent the CVs that would be of interest and did all of the interviews.

“Employing James has worked out really well. I’ve got a really good employee out of it who hasn’t just worked on the iPhone project but across the business.”

Design 365, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is a 100% web focused agency which allows it to develop sector expertise. It has over 150 corporate clients.

James, who attended his graduation ceremony last week, said: “I have learnt a lot since coming here. I had a good knowledge of web development through my course but I needed more expertise on iPhone app design.

“Julian came in and tutored me on the best way to develop the apps needed. Having that one-to-one tutoring was essential.

“I’ve also improved different application development skills and php which I already knew how to do but not as well.”

“Having someone there that you can ask questions is much better for learning.”

Julien said: “It is exciting to be in position to create something new and bring some new skills to a company that is expanding, and this is a great change from my regular teaching activities.”

Alan finished: “We’d definitely use Teesside University’s KEI’s again. It has improved the expertise and job opportunities within our company.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hannah Davies .