RCA appoints new head of visual communication

Ramanathan will lead the development of the RCA’s visual communications programme, working with Dean of the School of Communication Neville Brody.

Brody had previously acted as both dean and head of programme, and an RCA spokeswoman says  Ramanathan’s appointment will allow him to focus fully on being dean of the school as well as his research work.

Ramanathan is ccrrently route and subject leader, Design & Interaction at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and has previously held positions at Typecamp India and London College of Communications.

She is a practicing graphic designer, director of design at Tara Books in India and also runs her own studio, Minus9 Design.

Brody says: “Rathna is an accomplished, innovative, collaborative design professional with considerable academic experience.

“Her deep subject knowledge, along with her creative ideas and energy will be a great asset to the School and to the College.

Ramanathan says: “To join the College at a time when visual communication as a discipline is undergoing a seismic shift in terms of its vocational positioning and intellectual relevance is exciting.

“In my new role, I will continue to highlight the relevance and significance of an interdisciplinary and international vision of the subject that builds on the substantial history and traditions of the RCA.”

Ramanathan will join the College at the start of the new academic term, January 2015.