Design History Workshops
Through my archive and Design Reviewed, I bring the rich history of graphic design to life through workshops and lectures, both in-person and online. Leveraging my extensive archive of graphic design history, I’ve inspired students across the globe, including those at renowned institutions such as the IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) in Milan, LABASAD (Barcelona School of Arts and Design), Peter Behrens School of Art, Dusseldorf and Arts University Bournemouth, and many more. These sessions are meticulously curated, featuring hundreds of design artefacts that ignite engaging discussions and introduce students to the history of the craft.
In-person lectures give the students full access to over 5,000 collected pieces of graphic design history, many universities return multiple times a year to explore the latest collected artefacts I have added to the archive and I often set student briefs inspired by the objects I’ve collected. In addition to these lectures, I also provide valuable insights into industry practices and the realities of running a design agency.
Typical Workshop Structure for Students
- Introduction: My Design Journey
A personal narrative on my journey from being a design student to becoming a professional, highlighting key experiences and lessons learned. - The Significance of Design History
An exploration of why understanding design history is crucial and how engaging with the past can inform and inspire our present and future work. - Exploring Design History Through Artefacts
A guided tour through significant moments in design history, using collected artefacts to illustrate key developments and trends. - Resources and Lifelong Learning
Recommendations for essential resources and strategies to foster continuous learning and growth in the field of graphic design. - Q&A Session
An open floor for students to ask questions, share thoughts, and discuss topics covered during the workshop
Recent Workshops and Lectures for the Education Sector
LABASAD (Barcelona School of Arts and Design)
In the introductory sessions for the online Master’s program in Graphic Design, I lead a module titled Cultural Bases. This module spans two sessions, totaling approximately four hours, and provides a comprehensive overview of the history of graphic design. My lectures are enriched with curated materials and unique artefacts, ensuring that the content is entirely original and does not include images sourced from the internet.
Peter Behrens School of Design, Dusseldorf
During their Extramuros trip to the UK, the HSD Typography class from the Peter Behrens School of Arts at Hochschule Düsseldorf spent a day at my studio and archive, engaging in lectures, workshops, and gaining inspiration. A second group of students is scheduled to visit later this year.
Leeds Beckett University
Throughout the academic year, I work with students, offering inspiration and delivering lectures centered on design history and studio practice. I curate tables showcasing design pieces arranged by decades, and I provide one-on-one advice to students who have questions related to the industry and design history.
Leeds Arts University
At Leeds Arts University, I offer archive sessions for students from the BA and MA Graphic Design programs, as well as those studying BA Visual Communication.
Bournemouth Arts University
For Bournemouth Arts University, I conducted an interactive lecture by bringing a selection from my archive to the university. The session focused on 100 years of graphic design history, showcased through 100 design artefacts.
Others
I have also conducted design history-focused lectures for institutions such as IED, Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, and New College Swinton, with plans to expand to other institutions soon.
Further Information
Unique Learning Format
My teaching approach emphasises archive-based learning, using my personal collection of design artefacts to bring history to life. By directly engaging with these original pieces, students gain a hands-on understanding of the evolution of design over the decades. This method not only enriches their knowledge of design history but also provides unique insights into the materials, techniques, and contexts that have shaped the industry. In addition to delivering lectures on graphic design history, I provide valuable insights into industry practices and running a design agency.
How to Get There
In-person workshops are held at my studio located at Assembly Bradford, 20 North Parade, Bradford, BD1 3HT. Assembly Bradford is a creative workspace featuring nine serviced office spaces, 20 coworking desks, a lounge area, and a dedicated meeting room, all within a beautiful listed building on North Parade. The light, airy rooms, intricate vaulted ceilings, and stunning stained glass windows make Assembly Bradford an inspiring environment for work and collaboration, attracting creative professionals and fostering connections with like-minded individuals.
Costs
I work with universities and colleges at an agreed fee, within allocated course budgets.