Staff Spotlight: Jonathan Liddell

Meet the newest addition to the D&A LACE Team - Learner and Community Engagement Officer Jonathan Liddell. With his passion for education, and background as a published author, Jonathan is on a mission to deliver meaningful workshops and resources for students.

What's your role at D&A College, and what's the story behind how you ended up here?

It’s my intent to bring as much value to the students & staff (go look up Chad Littlefield!) by delivering social education across departments. In addition, I’ll be developing resources for the Sunrise Solutions Project – watch this space! After hosting events for LightBox Expo & Schoolism, I was keen to get back into the Scottish Education sector (and timezone!) 

Work is one thing, but what do you do outside of the college walls? Any exciting hobbies or weekend adventures?

Castle hunting! As an artist, I am forever leaning out my car window to take reference photos of clouds on the way to another historical landmark. These aid inspiration for creating new artworks and running compelling D&D adventures! I’ll put my hands up and say I’m a huge nerd in that regard.

When you were younger, what was your dream job? And if you could do any career, what would you choose and why?

Top Gun was a big influence… but my need for specs quickly ensured I forever avoided the “Danger Zone”! My dream job would be to work for myself creating books, fantasy artworks, running Kickstarters and doing guest lectures with colleges & online communities… although full time art lecturing is very appealing!

If you could have any person, dead or alive, as a dinner guest , who would it be and why?

The CEO of Procreate James Cuda  – particularly love his most recent public announcement – would be an ideal guest. Discussing the creation of a high value, affordable product for artists over a bottle of red and a roast dinner is definitely on my bucket list.

Share with us the most valuable piece of advice or life lesson that's really stuck with you, especially when it comes to dealing with the ups and downs of learning.

 The most important life lessons arrived to me when I was down on my luck, bartending in my late 20s, wishing I’d found educational resources sooner. These were:

  1. It’s not too late: There are amazing online communities with incredible FREE, high quality learning resources – for me that was LightBox Expo & Schoolism – everything I wish I’d found sooner at uni.
  2. Take responsibility: “Discipline = Freedom” : A tough one for sure, but no one else is going to do it for you. The good news is, “You’re more powerful than you think.” Dedication to my craft taught me more in 6 months than multiple mis-spent years while at uni.
  3. Successfully giving & receiving feedback: Recognising whether I was actually in a good place to receive feedback and how I was communicating that. Learning when to give it, how are you adding value to someone else when you do?

Hope this was of some use folks! Swing by if you want to chat Kickstarters, D&D or illustration!

Look out for more staff spotlights coming soon!