Realmdigital hires ecommerce and usability specialist11 May 2012
We have recently hired an ecommerce, usability and digital marketing specialist to join our growing team. Ross Allchorn is a well known interface designer, online marketer and design consultant. His in depth knowledge on topics such as ecommerce, digital and tech is clearly visible on his column on Mail & Guardians' Tech Leader. Ross will be taking on a consultative role at Realmdigital and through his analysis and recommendation we'll be able to offer our clients the ability to maximise their online potential.
A first glance at Ross will leave you thinking he is a part of a heavy metal band. Behind this rock star, however, lies a passion for tech, photography and building online brands. This is what Ross had to say about himself.
Where did it all start
Initially a creative; I started my career as an apprentice graphic designer at the age of 17. After that I filled a number of roles and tried to find my feet, but things really kicked off around 1999 where I took on a deep-end role of Marketing Coordinator for the Ocean Basket franchise group. Following this I operated my own web company for about 7 years building websites, content management systems and offering digital marketing services and consulting. In 2010 I took the role of Production Manager for ShopDirect in Cape Town where we churned out countless ecommerce storefronts and I gathered a wealth of knowledge in what makes the South African ecommerce machine tick.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a family man first but I do manage to squeeze in some of my own interests. I'm an instructables.com addict and have a growing home workshop in which I can make things, I love photography and actually did a stint as a professional photographer specialising in motorsport photography (MSA accredited, published in magazines and all). I have a passion for business in general and love to see a well planned and executed project or campaign.
Tell us something about you that not many people know
I'm a strong utilitarian believing in function over form, unless the form impedes the ability to function. Unusual for someone with a creative background, but there is nothing that grates me more than a redundant or "show" feature (fake pockets on clothing, massive wings on the back of economy cars etc.).
