Declan Talbert and Hivefolio: Empowering Gamers, Designers & Creators

I’ve known Declan Talbert for some time now and have had the privilege to watch his work evolve—from UX and product design roles through to building a platform with ambitious intent. His creation, Hivefolio, stands at the intersection of gaming, design, e-sports and career development, and it’s the kind of vision that aligns with what we care about at Aero Astro Arts Ltd..

A Platform for Creative Careers

Hivefolio describes itself as “an e-sports and gaming career platform. Build a portfolio, learn and find a career in e-sports and gaming!” X (formerly Twitter)+1
According to Declan’s own posts, it was “100% developed, designed and funded by myself” — reflecting his personal commitment and belief in the project. LinkedIn+1
The platform offers creators—players, designers, content makers—a space to document their achievements, show off portfolios, and connect to opportunities in the gaming ecosystem. By combining design experience, UX focus and gaming culture, Hivefolio aims to bridge gaps between creative talent and industry roles.

Declan Talbert: Designer, Entrepreneur & Advocate

Declan’s background spans user experience, product design and creative industries. On his profile, he lists experience with organisations such as UKTV, Redgate, Avast, Westminster City Council, UAL & BBC Gamer. X (formerly Twitter)
That design pedigree informs how he approaches Hivefolio: not just as a tool or platform, but as a user-centred experience for people who often feel invisible in the gaming/creative pipeline. It’s a thoughtful blend of form and function that elevates the platform beyond hobbyist status.

Why Hivefolio Matters

For independent creators, students and emerging talent, Hivefolio offers several important advantages:

• Portfolio visibility: Instead of scattered social posts and links, creators can centralise their work, highlights and progress.

• Industry access: By positioning as a career platform, Hivefolio connects creative outputs (tournaments, game jam wins, design work) with potential opportunities.

• Inclusive vision: Declan’s statement that the platform is his way to “give back to society and help people on a larger scale with no barriers to…” Facebook resonates in an industry where access remains unequal.

Personal Reflection & Collaboration

Having known Declan and seen the evolution of Hivefolio, one of the things I appreciate most is his long-term vision and consistent dedication. It’s easy to start something new; it’s harder to build a meaningful platform that serves others and persists through changes in tech, culture and opportunity.
Our conversations around design, UX and creator ecosystems have influenced how Aero Astro Arts thinks about our own portfolio, branding and community outreach. Declan’s insights into how creators present themselves—how their work lives online, how their achievements are documented—have already helped shape our internal processes.

What’s Next

As Hivefolio continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how the platform scales, how it integrates with game-industry pipelines (talent, studios, publishers) and how it supports creatives beyond just “showing work” — into connecting work with opportunity.
With Declan at the helm, the design focus and user-first mindset give me confidence that Hivefolio isn’t just another startup—it’s a meaningful contribution to the creative economy.

Final Thoughts

Declan Talbert and Hivefolio represent one of those collaborations between design, gaming and career development that feels especially timely. As the games industry grows and diversifies, platforms like Hivefolio play an important role in giving creative talent the visibility, tools and connection they deserve.
For those of us in indie development, creative services or education, the message is clear: design matters, visibility matters, and platforms built with care can make a real difference.

You can learn more about Declan Talbert via his LinkedIn profile and explore Hivefolio at www.hivefolio.gg