Career profiles: Alan Grimwade

Role

Owner

Place of work

Cosmographics Ltd

What qualifications do you have and what training have you had?

BSc Land Surveying Sciences Hons. Started at Huntings Surveys as a Cartographic Technician in 1980. Trained with drawing tools, including pens and scribing tools, moving from black and white survey maps through to four-colour work (all film) for books and atlases. Those skills, the discipline of having to get it right first time and the understanding of film processing and reprographics required proved invaluable when transitioning to Apple Macs.

What is the best part of your role?

Developing ideas and designing new maps with our customers and also for ourselves.

What is your favourite map that you've drawn, seen or used?

I have worked on so many projects so it is very hard to choose between them, but I really like the set of maps we produced for 2theAlps Ltd, designed for skiers and independent travellers. Includes a map of the Alps showing Ski resorts with main roads, rail routes and airports within the region, plus a schematic rail map showing how to navigate the Alps by train. The set incorporates two map designs that are clear and easy to read while being attractive and colour-blind friendly.