User:Duffs10

I am a British graphic designer, photographer and avid dual-sport biker. This is my Wikipedia user page.

A personal note
I choose not to hide behind a thin veil of anonymity because I believe transparency and integrity are important parts of contributing to any online community. I work hard to maintain my credibility and will not type something from the comfort of my sitting room that I wouldn't say to someone in person. I request the same in return.

My reason for editing pages is simple—if I can't find what I'm looking for in an article, someone else hasn't found what they're looking for in that article. I make edits because I genuinely wish to make improvements, not because I have callous motives. This is for the benefit of Wikipedia users and not for my personal gain—I recognise that any edits I make will have little to no benefit to me, personally, outside in the real world where I spend the majority of my life.

My early life
I was born in Canada in 1974. My father was a mechanic and my mother was an author.

I spent my childhood between Canada and Europe. I graduated with honours from secondary school and attended university where I intended to qualify as a programmer. After realising that programming made me want to grot myself, I began apprenticing at a local graphic design company where I discovered my passion for brand identity, typography and photography. I advanced my career through independent study, experimentation and experience.

Doing what I love
I started my career in graphic design during secondary school as managing editor of the school yearbook. This progressed to assisting with print advertisements for a local automotive dealership. By the mid-90s, I had led on or contributed to projects for companies in several North American cities. I worked briefly for a design company but resigned due to a toxic and unsupportive work environment.

Destined for bigger things, I taught entry-level graphic design at a community college in a trial programme to provide new skills to people unable to continue their careers due to injury. I then started my own business with a recent graphic design graduate. The company was successful, securing clients ranging from local businesses to government agencies.

In the late 90s, my partner and I dissolved the business so I could take on a new role as Graphic Design Coordinator at an international film school and so she could pursue a new career as an estate agent.

I began to look for new challenges and in 2003 travelled to Europe to evaluate the possibility of relocating. In 2004 I started working at a hospital where I am part of the Management Executive team in a graphic design management role and the organisation's in-house photographer.

A few stats about me
I live in West London UK.

I am an avid biker with a preference for BMW GS motorcycles and enjoy exploring BOATs and overlanding. I plan to complete a round-the-world trip in future, and am a regular contributor to several adventure and motorcycle forums.

I am a flexitarian and keen cook, favouring Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

I write a blog which is centred on motorcycling and cooking. Besides English, I speak French and Greek conversationally.

Recent Wikipedia contributions

 * BMW F800GT—wrote new article
 * BMW GS parallel-twin—enhanced detail relating to 2013 updates and added information about special editions and recalls
 * BMW R1200GS—enhanced detail relating to redesigned 2013 R1200GS