BLOTT WORKS is a small design studio, based in the north of England, producing limited-edition hand-engineered functional sculpture. Drawing on a mechanical aesthetic, products often incorporate a kinetic element, and are designed to encourage interaction, bringing a sense of ritual and play into everyday activities. http://www.blottworks.com

Throughout the last 25 years I have been a regular freelance collaborator on projects with art production company IOU - as sound artist/composer, as deviser and maker, and as performer. IOU is an organisation with 37 years experience making original work across art-forms including: sound, video and sculptural installations, site specific performance, music, touring theatre, interactive digital works and virtual worlds. The company is recognised for creating work with a distinctive style, both intimate and large scale, commonly a collision of the familiar and the mysterious, often darkly humorous."IOU occupies a position in the contemporary arts and performance arena where it is considered to be a model of excellence both nationally and internationally, a position it rightly deserves. The often surreal and fantastic narratives are a means of transporting the audience to a world of possibilities which are dreamlike yet present opportunities for contemplating the ordinary and familiar things around us. This is an important part of IOU's aesthetic approach and cultural identity. On reviewing thirty years of work, you begin to appreciate how everything is beautifully made, from costumes to machines, revealing an in-depth understanding of art, materials and mechanics." Quote from Russell Roberts, Head of Photography & Senior Curator of Photographs, National Museum of Photography, Film & TVhttp://www.ioutheatre.org/http://danmorrison.co.uk/It is through this work with IOU that I first met Andy Plant and with whom I now run BLOTT WORKS.

My move out of London up north into the hills of Yorkshire was partly motivated by a desire to put down some roots in a smaller more stable community. And it was this desire that lead me to respond to an advert in a local paper for a Funeral Director, which seemed like a deeply interesting and worthwhile role to play.Three fascinating and highly rewarding years later I realised that I really missed the creative world and longed to get back to designing and making things. So I decided to go part-time to give myself the space to set-up BLOTT WORKS - something I have always wanted to do and which now takes up all my spare energy and thought.

I was recruited first as an Account Manager, managing web developments for various big brands, working with our technical and creative teams and the client's commissioning teams. During this time I helped Travelodge move from 6% online sales to over 85%, completely transforming their business.I then worked as Account Director, managing the team of account managers and project managers, responsible for client relationships, for profitability of accounts, and the quality of our work.

protoLAB was a Technology Lab focussing on the conceptualisation and prototyping of new technological solutions. I was brought in to drive the design and piloting of a highly secure networked resource for children living in care, available via handhelds, Web TV, Kiosk, Games Consoles, PCs etc. This involved analysing and refining the client proposal, investigating possible technologies, designing and building a prototype system, and specifying approaches for the follow-on phase. The prototype was built as an intranet using HTML, ASP/JavaScript, IIS, SQLServer, mdaemon, JetForms, eShare, Flash/ActionScript, video, and audio streams.

I joined the company as the first employee to aid the three founders in developing the business: I was instrumental in growing the company from this up to 35 employees plus a large freelance pool of designers and programmers.Okupi was set-up to develop online social environments, specialising in 3D and virtual spaces. We also developed other online and new media applications as part of this work.I was responsible for the production side of the business and managing the team (essentially inward facing), and the sales side (i;e; the outward facing role) was handled by our managing director, Simon Warner-Bore.

Joined the company when there were only 30 of us. I initially worked as a C++ programmer building client/server applications for for brands including Financial Times, Plan International, McKinsey & Company and Nynex Communications

Developing an Intelligent 3D drawing package for architects and engineers using C++ and HyperTalk on a Mac.

During this time I worked with many other artists and performers operating on the edges of their field, devising and touring various shows, installations and ensembles. From John Peel Sessions to the Royal Festival Hall, from Edinburgh Festival to Blue Peter, I could be seen and heard in all sorts of interesting places. I also taught in schools, privately and through workshops.

Hard-hitting underground band of the mid-eighties. Record deal with independent label Ron Johnson Records (Long Eaton), recorded two John Peel sessions and toured throughout the UK (and later Europe).A track appeared on a recent CD release entitled "The Best of British Underground 1983-1988".The band has recently reformed with three of the original members.

Teaching drums and percussion to individuals and groups in schools around Warwickshire. Played in the Warwickshire Multicultural Ensemble, taking world music to young people, as part of this role.