Meet Our School of Digital & Creative Technologies
Paul Talan
Acting Head of School – Digital & Creative Technologies
Paul started working as a professional photographer and camera operator in film after leaving his studies. In the early part of his career, he also worked as a social worker, supporting young people living rough on the street. During that time, he was asked to design and deliver a programme developing literacy and life skills with the hope of providing people with better opportunities. This sparked his interest in teaching, specifically developing a curriculum for non-traditional learners like himself, who find it very difficult to learn and adapt to traditional learning environments. He has been working in education ever since, for almost 30 years now.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family. He is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys a variety of activities such as camping, running, cycling, martial arts and most of all, swimming.
Gal Sapir
MA, BA (Hons) | Graphic Design Lecturer – Digital & Creative Technologies
Gal Sapir graduated from the London College of Communication, The University of Arts London with a BA (Hons) in Graphic and Communication Design, and Central Saint Martins, The University of Arts London with an MA in Design Studies. He is a practising painter and a graphic designer. Previous fine art interests were the merging of digital image-making and traditional fine art mediums. As a graphic designer, he has many years of experience specialising in branding and web design.
Richard Jackson
Graphic Design Lecturer – Digital & Creative Technologies
Rich graduated from Loughborough College of Art and Design in 1996 with a HND and has since worked in advertising and brand communication agencies for many clients, from blue chips to start-ups. With over 25 years of experience, 15 of which in agency and over 10 years as a freelancer, he offers real industry insight and a wealth of knowledge to students across branding, packaging, advertising, print and digital communications.
Rich currently splits his time between sharing his knowledge and experience with graphic design students while actively working with clients across London and the UK.
Mollie Tearne
MA |Graphic Design Lecturer – Digital & Creative Technologies
Mollie Tearne graduated from The Royal College of Art with an MA in printmaking. Her work there was primarily an expression of the rich cultural heritage of her Sri Lankan grandparents. Since leaving the RCA she has expanded this preoccupation to include memory in a more general sense. She creates mixed media collages using found and printed material. She has worked as a screen print instructor and freelance Graphic Designer. As well as exhibiting her own work she has curated group shows, participating in Art Licks Weekend as a founder of the collective Strange At the House. Mollie uses her knowledge of fine art practices to enrich her teaching and inform her design and branding projects.
In her spare time she enjoys learning languages and is currently learning Italian. She loves to scour flea markets where she searches for old tinted photographs and 1950s and 60s cookery magazines to add to her collection.
Kezban Alpan
MSc |Digital Technologies Lecturer – Digital & Creative Technologies
Kezban was born and raised in Cyprus and began her career as a Data Analyst in the Business Intelligence department of a finance-related company. Since 2008, she has been actively involved in higher education, initially as a Research Assistant during her master’s degree. She holds an MSc in Computer Information Systems and has been a full-time lecturer in the Department of Software Engineering at Near East University, Faculty of Engineering, for over 11 years. Currently, she is a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science at Middlesex University, with research interests in AI and Image Processing, particularly focusing on women’s cancers. Kezban has a profound passion for teaching and scientific research, aiming to contribute significantly to her fields of expertise.