FINDING THE QUESTION TO THE ANSWER
A graphic design research symposium

Wednesday 13 September 2006
1.30pm-5.00pm

The symposium has two main aims:
(a) to demystify the process of embarking on a research degree;
(b) to encourage PhD level research in graphic design, and its related 
subject areas.

The event will explore graphic design as an aspect of visual 
communication, and feature three case studies from 'early researchers', 
considering the theme 'finding the question to the answer'. It will 
focus on 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.

Who will this be of interest to?
Those interested in pursuing a career in research; ?nal year and 
post-graduate students in graphic design and related fields of 
interest; supervisors and potential supervisors; managers in Higher 
Education; and practicing designers.

Admission is free
But all attendees will need to register their intention to come before 
Wednesday 6 September-numbers will be limited.

Venue
Bonington Lecture Theatre ˇ Bonington Building
School of Art & Design ˇ Nottingham Trent University
Dryden StreetˇNottingham ˇ United Kingdom


PROGRAMME

1.00pm Welcome

1.30pm Introduction
Dr Ian Solomonides
Nottingham Trent University

1.40pm The professional context
Frank Peters
The Chartered Society of Designers

1.50pm Keynote speaker one
Dr Malcolm Barnard
University of Derby

2.20pm Student case study one
Andrew Greenman
The University of Nottingham

2.40pm Student case study two
Robert Harland
Nottingham Trent University

3.00pm Student case study three
Paul Linnell
DeMontfort University

3.20pm Break

3.50pm Keynote speaker two
Prof Clive Richards
Coventry University

4.20pm Research funding
Prof Judith Mottram
Nottingham Trent University

4.30pm Plenary session

5.00pm Close


Dr Malcolm Barnard is a Senior Lecturer in the history and theory of 
art and design at the University of Derby. He is author of Graphic 
Design as Communication (2005); Fashion as Communication (2nd edition, 
2002); Approaches to Understanding Visual Culture (2001); Art, Design 
and Visual Culture (1998).

Andrew Greenman is a doctoral researcher at the Nottingham University 
Business School. His research interests include work identities, 
organisational culture, the digital content industries, enterprise and 
narrative theory. Andrew returned to academic research after seven 
years spent working as a Senior Analyst for an American ict research 
consultancy in London. In 2004, he completed an MSc in Research Methods 
(Business and Management) at Nottingham Trent University and secured a 
competition PhD studentship from the Economic Social Research Council. 
He is also a member of the Social Research Association; a practicing 
business consultant and published musician/songwriter.

Robert Harland is a Senior Lecturer in graphic design at Nottingham 
Trent University, and part-time research student at The University of 
Nottingham School of Built Environment, where 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 the uk, 
France, Germany and Portugal, in the private and public sector. He is a 
Member of the International Society of Typographic Designers and a 
Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers

Paul Linnell is a Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, Leicester, 
and Course Leader for BA(Hons) Graphic Design. He is also currently 
studying part-time towards a PhD, investigating the effectiveness of 
instructional literature for consumer technology. Before teaching, he 
worked as a graphic designer in he educational technology, producing 
instructional materials and graphic information systems. He is a member 
of the iiid and Design Research Society.

Judith Mottram is Professor of Visual Art at Nottingham Trent 
University. She is the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies 
in the College of Art, Design and Built Environment. Before joining 
Nottingham Trent she was Director of Research for the School of Art & 
Design at Loughborough University, from 2000 to 2003, following six 
years as their Programme Leader for Painting. She is a member of the 
Editorial Board for the Journal of Visual Art Practice and a member of 
the ahrc Postgraduate Panel and the ahrc Peer Review College.

Frank Peters is the Chief Executive of the Chartered Society of 
Designers, the design sectors professional body, and also The Design 
Association, the body that accredits design businesses and in-house 
design teams. Frank trained as an Exhibition Designer at Lanchester 
Polytechnic and prior to his current role ran his own business group 
focused on design and communications.

Professor Clive Richards is Associate Dean of Art and Design at 
Coventry University. His subject expertise is in graphic design, 
diagrammatics, typography and the application of information technology 
to information design. He has published extensively on these topics and 
secured various substantial grant awards. He has been a member of 
various art and design panels and boards. He is an experienced doctoral 
supervisor and examiner, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of 
Designers.

Dr Ian Solomonides is Learning and Teaching Coordinator for the School 
of Architecture, Design and Built Environment at Nottingham Trent 
University, and a Principal Lecturer in Furniture and Product Design.  
Having worked for the University since 1992, he was previously a 
builder and before that a motor-boat skipper. He pursued a Bachelor of 
Education as a mature student before completing a PhD in 1996 that 
focused on the quality of student learning. He sits on the College of 
Art and Design Research and Research Degrees  Committees. With a strong 
interest in higher education pedagogy, he is currently interested in 
methods to promote design within the local community and economy.

The Symposium is organised by Design Research Education East Midlands 
with The Chartered Society of Designers and Nottingham Trent 
University. Design Research Education East Midlands is an informal 
initiative that aims to encourage new design thinking for the benefit 
of the East Midlands region in the uk. Contact [log in to unmask] 
if you would like to know more, or contribute to its development.

If you wish to attend email details to  [log in to unmask]  
before Wednesday 6 September

Title
Name
Job title
Organisation
Address
Postcode
Country
Telephone
email


..................................

Robert Harland
Senior Lecturer | Graphic Design
Nottingham Trent School of Art and Design
Burton Street  Nottingham NG1 4BU
+44 (0)115 848 8266