Alan's professional experience encompasses design projects across graphics, exhibitions, product and interiors. Working in both 2D and 3D his work encompasses designs for fabric, papers, glass, ceramics and silver. His interest in retail and gallery space has initiated commissions from the Courtauld Institute, the Prado and the Uffizi, establishing his role as an international designer.

He has worked extensively in design education including three years on the British Institute of Interior Design Education Committee, tutoring at Middlesex University, Birmingham City University and as an external examiner in the UK and internationally for the Universities of Wales and Derby. He began teaching for Inchbald as a guest tutor within the Garden Design Faculty in 1990, becoming Director of the Interior Design Faculty in 1999, writing the MA courses in 2000 and the BA in 2017. He became Principal of the Inchbald School in 2017.

His particular interests are the principles and philosophy of design. His masters dissertation discussed the Sensory Perception of Space explored through the examination of educational environments for those with autism. Alan has a passion for hand drawing and is regularly commissioned to produce visuals for interior, architecture and garden design practices. His book "Interior Design Drawing" was first published in 2009 and translated into Chinese in 2018.