Dean studied Illustration before going on to study Ceramic Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.

Dean's ceramic sculptures are narrative based with the drawing process always at the heart of everything produced in clay.

A broad range of materials are used within the handbuilding clay he uses from paperclay, straw and nylon fibre which he surface decorates with slip underglaze decoration, glazes and lustres. His sculptures lean towards a surreal world looking at aspects of human behaviour adding humour with colour to bring a sense of fun.