"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."
-- Albert Einstein
I'm Ryan Morrison. I am a technically minded, communications specialist. I have worked as a journalist, public relations officer, media officer, social media manager, presenter, developer, designer, photographer, writer and vlogger. I see all of the above as different ways to create the same thing - compelling content and a way to communicate ideas, messages and stories.
Content comes in many forms, from an app or interactive learning experience to a brilliance piece of video. I like to work on projects on my own but also collaboratively with others to create something even more special.
If you'd like to work with me on a project just Get in Touch.
Public Relations
I have worked for central government as a public relations officer, working on crisis communications, acting as a spokesperson, creating reports and liasing with key stakeholders. I have also worked on marketing projects, social media management and media relations.
Journalism
For 16 years I have worked for the BBC as a journalist, specifically writing for the BBC News website. But working in a small newsroom has meant I have had to take on a wider range of roles than would otherwise be the case.
I have covered politics in Jersey and the UK, written stories read by millions of people and worked on larger, longer term projects including extensive research and fact checking.
I have covered court for radio, online and TV and produce short form video packages for the BBC News website and social media platforms
Presenting and producing
In 2004 I pitched an idea for a new music show on BBC Radio Jersey. There were a handful on local radio stations across the country and I felt Jersey could benefit from one.
I have played in bands and wanted to give new musicians of all genres a chance to have their music heard on the radio. This later evolved into part of the BBC Music Introducing family of shows.
I have appeared on BBC Radio 1 talking about the Jersey music scene, produced coverage for TV, radio and online of the Jersey Live music festival and interviewed a range of musicians from Ed Sheeran and George Ezra to Paul Weller and The Proclaimers.
Social, coding and design
While at the BBC I launched and run the social media accounts for the BBC in Jersey, working to build the audience for the platforms before they were in common media use.
Before that I worked for a Jersey based technology company called Itex where I worked on a range of projects for government departments and corporate clients including taking the lead on a new social security website and job centre kiosk - which was still in use a decade later.
At the time my focus was on design, particularly user interface design and user experience rather than development.
I first started learning to code about three years ago after my son had an idea for a game he wanted to play.
I built it for him and it has been downloaded over 1,000 times on the Apple App Store. It's called The Munchies: Avoid the Poop.
I have also built a number of other apps including a quiz game, a medication tracker, space adventure game and a journalism tool.
Vlogging
I first started uploading vlog style videos in February 2006, about a year after the launch of YouTube itself. I remember my first video was about my backpack, was filmed on tape and I was recognised by people over in the island for a film festival who saw it on YouTube.
I deleted it and have since lost all my early videos. But I've started up again and am trying to post about once per week. It's more of a cathartic excercise for me than any expectations of fame and glory but if people watch that's nice.
Technically minded
As mentioned above, I can code in Swift and C#, I'm learning Python and have had thousands of downloads of apps I've published to the Apple, Android and Kindle app stores. I am also working on a BSc (Honours) Combined STEM (Space Science and Technology) with the Open University. I am studying modules in management and marketing, information technology, general science and space science over the course of the three year degree.
