Memory test proves hard work for D&AD’s Stuart

In a handwritten note to Design Week, one Robert Geary of Sidcup has challenged the credentials of British Design & Art Direction president David Stuart as featured in Design Week (DW 2 February).

Prior to his 1965-68 period of incompetence, Stuart says he left school at 15, and joined D&AD 40 years later, with ‘no exams passed, none taken’. Geary, however, is keen to point out that Stuart ‘graduated’ from Harrow School of Art, implying exams were taken and passed.

‘Shurely shome mishtake?’ cries Geary. Do art students take exams? Do they pass them? Do we care?

In response, Stuart says: ‘Good point. I suppose it was an examination of sorts, however, I recollect when we sat it the only invigilator was the caretaker, who wanted everyone out by 9pm.’