Where do you get your inspiration for the amazing automata that you make?

Most of my ideas are a juxtaposition of two or more things that I've seen in the day. I keep a notebook with me all the time and jot down ideas as they come to me.

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Do you take your models into schools to inspire mini engineers of the future?

I've been lucky enough to work in schools quite a bit, both in the UK and abroad. It is always inspiring seeing the creativity young people bring to projects.

 

What do you love most about the work you do?
I live on a narrowboat, my work gives me so much freedom; some days I can be travelling and enjoying the countryside, other days I'll be working from dawn until late at night. I love it!
 

What was your first job? Was it related to the work that you do now?
I was a primary school teacher up until 2000, and my current work is still very education based. I think a lot of my website followers are teachers or educators.

What’s your favourite thing to do in your free time, outside of work?
I love to walk, travel, and explore. I enjoy photography, all forms of making things, woodwork, electronics, 3D modelling and so on. I basically make a living from what I love to do.

 
Did you like reading a child? If so, do you have a favourite childhood book?

I've always been an avid reader right up to the current day. I think my favourite children's book of recent times is I Want My Hat Back by Alan Klassen which I enjoyed sharing with my nephew's son, I love the expressiveness of the illustrations.

Rob’s latest book with Hungry Tomato is the fantastic Build it, Make it Dinosaurs. Featuring 3D marvellous model-making activities, including QR codes to videos and downloadable templates, this fantastic new book brings amazing prehistoric creatures to life and provides little ones with hours of crafting fun.

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To view more of Rob’s fantastic engineering models and automata, visit his website at https://www.robives.com