Student Exhibition 2009

Summer London Liberal Arts Program: Graphic Design in Britain—the students of Richard B. Doubleday

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See Summer 2007 Student Work
See Summer 2006 Student Work
See Summer 2005 Student Work
See Summer 2004 Student Work

More on the Summer London Liberal Arts Program

Richard B. Doubleday is currently teaching a course Graphic Design in Britain at Boston University British Programmes. Graphic Design in Britain, offered in the London Liberal Arts Program, emphasizes London's rich visual tradition, as one of the world's most important cities for graphic design. The city's design literacy is nurtured by generations-old signage and graphics of the London Underground, its museums of fine and applied arts, as well as the largest concentration of design and advertising firms in the world. Taking advantage of the resources within London allows students to make meaningful connections in their own work.

This course provides a thorough grounding in problem-solving skills related to graphic design, with emphasis on the selection and communication of appropriate pictorial images, symbols, and typography. The study of methods and procedures used in the practice of graphic design are taught in relation to the culture of England. Sessions focus on several areas through in-class projects and workshops: London concept book, gallery postcard design, National Theatre poster design, and the history of graphic design with particular emphasis on the contribution and influence of graphic design work by English-born artists. Projects include research at various cultural institutions and libraries in London, design strategy, composition, and print techniques. In addition to the use of typographic systems and structures to solve practical communication problems, exploration of typography as an expressive element will be emphasized. The impact of technology on the visual arts is examined and discussed from contemporary and historical perspectives. Guest speakers and design studio visits complement the coursework. Graphic design students have the option to participate in an internship along with their two courses for a total of 12 credits.

The following assignments included in this exhibition were created by current students who have taken the Graphic Design in Britain elective.

How does interacting with London intersections influence our way of thinking, our perceptions, our way of looking as graphic designers? What possibilities and opportunities does London’s intersections offer us to visually articulate these major cross roads considering its geography, traffic, pedestrians, city maps, public transportation, statistical numbers, weather, language, noise, architecture, history, social structures, and communication?

To find answers to these questions, students participated in a two-day workshop conducted by the German graphic designer and educator Armin Knoll.

The objective of the workshop was take a closer look at London intersections, traffic, pedestrians, signs, textures, and typefaces in these street crossings. Knoll gave each student a small booklet with blank pages. Following a slide lecture about crossings, he then asked them to conceptualize, juxtapose and utilize gathered material and create new designs in the context of a specific crossing within London.