Glasgow School of Art

Perhaps to match the city’s ambitions as a European centre for design, Glasgow School of Art is poised to update its low key identity, starting from a review of its Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired logo. A GSA graduate and teacher, Jane Telfer has worked with the college for over a year as its in-house designer. Telfer liaises closely with the development and external relations office. ‘For the prospectus I was in contact with individuals from the three Schools of Fine Art, Design and Architecture. We pin-pointed images that would define aspects of the various departments and attempted to underline the philosophies and aims of the course. Different heads of department wrote the copy and the cover image was adapted from a successful portfolio submission into first year,’ she says.

While the 2000 corporate brochure was designed by Glaswegian group Tank, money cuts have meant that all literature is now produced in-house. Telfer also designs the summer school brochure, exhibition invites and catalogues, and open day and degree show promotional literature. The website, www.gsa.ac.uk, is due to be revamped this summer. ‘But not until GSA reviews its visual identity,’ says Telfer. The aim is to produce ‘a new visual image and communications strategy to reflect the school’s position and role as one of the pre-eminent art schools in the UK and globally,’ she says. GSA plans to appoint an external design group, proving it is still interested in an outside influence.’