ECHO is also a real feat of modern stagecraft and technology. In the clever work of director Omar Elerian and designer/technologist Derek Richards, […] ECHO offers some exciting originality. It’s rare for a show to be simultaneously so visually mesmerising and so intellectual.

Despite the current ubiquity of screens on stage, designer Derek Richards creates some beautiful moments…

…a very meta and immersive theatrical experience.

Production designer Derek Richards plays up the contrasts embedded in Soleimanpour’s script, exploring images of grandeur and isolating starkness.

Derek is a clear-sighted and creative leader who combines the best aspects of risk and discipline in his approach to sustaining and developing creative media organisations in the most dynamic way. He’s sensitive to the individual working styles of those he manages and collaborates with, and – as a practising artist – he has an enviable contacts book of creatives he draws upon to format exciting new projects. He demonstrates strong empathy for those involved in creative projects on his watch, he’s not shy of tough conversations and hard decisions, and has the rare ability to see further around the corner than most in the arts and media game – a great strategist and practitioner to collaborate with.

I’ve known Derek since 1991 when he interviewed me for one of a handful of places on the Access to Digital Arts course at the ground-breaking Arts Technology Centre (Artec) in Islington, London. Since then he’s been a mentor, colleague, friend and now one of my partners and co-founders of the Believe Collective.

Derek’s skills and experience are too broad and deep for me to do justice to here, but suffice to say when it comes to creative applications of new and dynamic media, community and social engagement and of course digital audio production, he is a maestro.

I am very happy to recommend Derek Richards as a brilliant collaborator who has provided essential expertise and practical guidance across a range of high-profile projects involving arts, digital media and performance, that my self and other colleagues have been involved in. His track record in digital media is very extensive, dating from when this area was truly pioneering. He is very skilled, very professional and has adapted to a wide range of professional situations/organisational structures (as also shown by his extensive CV.)

Derek is an inspiring creative director and artist with an amazing grasp of cultural strategy, organisation and fund raising. I have worked with him at both Believe Collective and Hi8us and would highly recommend his skills and abilities. He plays an invaluable role in any creative enterprise he is involved with.

I am Chair of the Board of Hi8us South, of which Derek is currently the Director. The Board appointed him as Director unanimously and with great enthusiasm. His talents as a youth media facilitator and his digital know-how put him head and shoulders above the other candidates. We were also impressed by how clearly and coherently he outlined how he would approach the task of managing a complex and diverse organisation.

Our faith in him has been more than justified . Even in the midst of dealing with day-to-day critical issues, he has never lost sight of the wider strategic goals that he has been developing for the company. He has also shone as a ‘people manager’, motivating staff as well as introducing more coherent personnel procedures. We have complete confidence in his leadership, and his ability to steer the company, both creatively and organisationally.

Derek is a a highly experienced and talented creative artist with an impressive breadth of skills. His work covers a wide range of media, which he is able to transmit effectively through his clear and patient teaching methodology.

I worked closely with Derek when he was appointed to his HE Partnership role at Creative Skillset. He was perfect. Knowing the industry and creative process so well and gaining a deep understanding of both policy and delivery in higher education- he was passionate, determined and a skilful collaborator who made things happen quickly, motivated by the key note on a quality experience for the students and a respect for all involved in that process.

Derek Richards has emerged as a key cultural player in the arts and digital media arena.