IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

(a) to demystify the process of embarking on a research degree;

(b) to encourage Doctoral research in graphic design, and its related subject areas. 

The event will reveal different approaches to research in graphic design, and feature three case studies by researchers at the point of completing their PhD. As well as reflecting on their experience, they will discuss a range of academic and non-academic issues, offering the opportunity to talk informally about concerns such as: funding; locating research study; part-time versus full-time; the balance between theory and practice; the demands on personal and professional life.

Those interested in pursuing a career in research; final year and post-graduate students in graphic design and related fields of interest; supervisors and potential supervisors; managers in Higher Education; and practising designers. 

But all attendees will need to register their intention to come before Wednesday 5 September—numbers will be limited.

1.30pm — Welcome

2.00pm — Introduction · Robert Harland · Nottingham Trent University

2.10pm — Keynote address · Professor Teal Triggs · University of the Arts London

2.40pm — Student case study one · Dr Joyce Yee · Northumbria University

3.00pm — Student case study two · Joe Eastwood · Independent practitioner

3.20pm — Student case study three · Rob Hillier · Norwich School of Art & Design

3.40pm — Break

4.10pm — The professional context · John McMillan · International Society of Typographic Designers 

4.30pm — Plenary session

5.00pm — Close

Joe Eastwood is a PhD student at Chelsea College of Art & Design, London. His practice-based study explores the relationship between text-based messages and audio-based communication within the contemporary urban environment. The research is concerned with how elements of text and audio design within the urban landscape influence navigating city environments, and if the fusion of text and audio design can work together to improve the clarity of wayfinding through urban spaces for pedestrians. He is currently in the process of forming typo//com, a visual communication company based in Manchester.

Robert Harland is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for BA(Hons) Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University, and a part-time research student at The University of Nottingham School of Built Environment. His research focus is the relationship between graphic design and urban design. Before pursuing an academic career he spent 15 years in private practice in London, working for a range of national and multi-national clients in United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany and Portugal in the private and public sector. He is a Member of the International Society of Typographic Designers and Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers. 

Robert Hillier is a Senior Lecturer in graphic design at Norwich School of Art and Design. He is due to complete his practice-based PhD “A typeface for the adult dyslexic reader” in July 2007. His research has resulted in the testing, development and design of a number of typefaces including the design of Sylexiad. The first independent practical use of Sylexiad was for the neveroddoreven project that culminated in an exhibition at The Serpentine Gallery and conference at the Goethe-Institut in 2007. The findings of his research were presented at the Fast Type, Slow Type conference at Birmingham in 2006.

John McMillan is a graphic designer and educator. As Education Officer for the International Society of Typographic Designers (istd) he runs the Annual Student Assessment Scheme. In its 32nd year, assessments are held in United Kingdom, Ireland, Lebanon and South Africa with planning for Australia, the Far East and a possible resumption in Europe. Prior to ISTD activity he was an executive member of the Association of Graphic Design Educators (GRADE) and a Regional Chair of CSD. His ‘day job’ is a Senior Lecturer, Subject Leader and Course Director at the University of Ulster in Belfast.

Teal Triggs is Professor of Graphic Design and Head of Research, School of Graphic Design, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. Her research interests include graphic design history, theory and education. She is co-editor of the academic interdisciplinary journal Visual Communication (Sage Publications) and has edited two special issues: Screens and the Social Landscape (2006, co-editor with Dr Carey Jewitt) and The New Typography (2005, editor). She is author of The Typographic Experiment: Radical Innovations in Contemporary Type Design (2003) and, co-editor with Dr Roger Sabin of ‘Below Critical Radar’: Fanzines and Alternative Comics From 1976 to Now (2000). She is currently working on a new book about fan culture and fanzines. A co-Director of a new University of the Arts London research unit on Information Environments (I.E.), Triggs is also a founding member of the Research Faculty of the Institute of Urban Information (IUI) and a Fellow of the International Society of Typographic Designers.

Joyce Yee is a practising designer and researcher in visual communication. She is part of the New Media team at the Centre for Design Research, Northumbria University,  Newcastle upon Tyne. She has over 10 years experience in graphic and new media design consultancy and 5 years in design research. She was trained as a graphic designer and received an MA in Visual Communication at London’s Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design. Joyce has recently completed a PhD degree at Northumbria University, on developing a practice-led framework to promote the practise and application of typography across different media. Her research interests are in the areas of: text-based communication in a multi-modal environment, typographic education for digital media and practice-based research methods for designers.

If you wish to attend email details to  robert.harland@ntu.ac.uk  before Wednesday 5 September.

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