Redesigning graduate shows

It’s that time of year again when Design Week is inundated with invites to graduate shows. We do like perusing the show-stopping work produced, but it is also nice to see something a little different.

The graduates and staff at the University for the Creative Arts in Epsom has done just this and questioned how it showcases its graduate work with a new book, ‘What is an Art School?’

‘Instead of a normal show catalogue, which we consider redundant as it is repetitive and has a short shelf-life,’ says Luke Pendrell, course leader of the graphic design course, ‘We have created a book that shows the input and output of the course and college, which also reflects the broader graphic design community.’

The UCA’s graphic design course has changed how it is delivered, and therefore felt its final show should be a continuation of this.

Pendrell explains, ‘We have revaluated the course to make it more flexible for students.

‘Graphic design changes so quickly, students have to be able to adapt and so the course hopes to foster this speed of change.’

The book, designed and art directed by Ben Branagan and a group of third year graduates, Chris Vickers, Ben Gardiner and Bob Jensen-Wilson, mainly features graduate work with the paper sponsored by Paper Co. However, written contributions from Design Week columnist Adrian Shaughnessy and Eye magazine editor John Walters, among others will also feature.

So in answer to the title of the book, What is an Art School? quotes have been offered by the general design community.

Design Week’s editor, Lynda Relph-Knight, also gives her two pence worth stating it should be a place ‘for raw-ish creative talents to explore ideas, materials and technologies across a variety of media.’

The University for the Creative Arts may have just captured this.

What is an Art School? – Industry private view to take place on 16 June at Redchurch Street Gallery, London E3 Course blog: http://gdnm.org/