Glen Robinson

Glen’s approach to graphic design is led by a passion for typography, drawing and photography, with a focus upon experimentation, interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration between art and design subjects.

I believe Design for Publishing requires the detailed study and love of typography, structure and story telling, because as designers we are responsible for making information both compelling and functional for our readers. I encourage my students to immerse themselves in the content and tell its story with honesty and passion. Publishing has an important role in our society as books, magazines, newspapers, exhibitions, whether they’re printed or digital are the gateway to our continued education and the imagination of others.

I have taught graphic design for 12 years and my students have won numerous accolades including D&AD yellow pencils and D&AD student of the year, gained International Society of Typographic Designers membership, YCN and the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts awards.

My design practice is centred around an anthropological study of layered narratives and the ethical challenges mass communication has upon shaping society, whether it is artistically led,  or concerned with news or commercial messages. I document my findings using photography, drawing and writing, presenting it through a broad range of themes including typographic experimentation, street art, artists’ books, exhibitions, publications and parazines. My scholarly work includes the study of labyrinths, folk stories and ancient symbols. Through this I have developed an interest in how art and design, emerging technologies and spatial design can create unexpected interactions that have the potential to ameliorate our built environment. Glen’s work is available to view on his website.

Exhibitions

• August 2014 Chalk Labyrinth, Lincoln Cathedral
• Oct 2011 – Jan 2012 The University of Northampton, Avenue Campus, UK. Curated by: Dr Emma Powell and Melanie Bush
• Sept 2010 Anti Design Festival, FRONT SPACE@ Londonewcastle Project Space, 28 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London. Curated by: Tim Holloway, Luke Thompson and Andy Chen
• September 2010 Beach Labyrinth, Bathing Beauties Festival, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
• Feb 2010 AmsterdamZineJam, Streetlab, Amsterdam, NL. Curated by: Karin de Jong
• Oct 2009 Very Funny! SHOWROOM Salmgasse 4a, 1030 Vienna, Austria. Curated by: Ralf Hermes
• July 2009 Beach Labyrinth, South Beach, Lowestoft, Suffolk
• June 2009 Beach Labyrinth, Moggs Eye, Lincolnshire
• May 2009 Decor–active Decadent Stupidity. The Manor House, Alford, Lincolnshire
• October 2008 Drawn Together. Greestone Gallery, Lincoln
• Sept 2008 Decor–active Decadent Stupidity. Bathing Beauties Festival, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
• Mar/April 2008 from Book to Book. Leeds City Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds. Curated by: John McDowall and Chris Taylor
• May/July 2008 Sitting Room. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City
• Mar/Apr 2008 Sitting Room. K Gallery, Alameda, California
• Dec 2007–2 Jan 2008 Sitting Room. Ruskin Gallery, Cambridge
• Nov 2007 London Artists Books Fair. ICA, The Mall, London, SW1
• 10 Oct–9 Nov 2007 Sitting Room. AKI, The Enschede Academy of Visual Arts, The Netherlands
• Aug/Sep 2007 Sitting Room. Artist’s Book Exhibition Area, UWE, Bristol
• Aug 2007 Sitting Room. Winchester Gallery, Winchester
• Feb 2007 Sitting Room. Permanent Gallery, Brighton
• Jan 2007 Sitting Room. Alsager Arts Centre, Alsager
• May/July 2006 Sitting Room. Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Manchester

Artists’ Books and Publications

• 2011 Non Verbal. Coptic Bound Artists’ Book
• 2010 Light up the Darkness. Parazine
• 2009 Book section: Rainbow Promenade. +rosebud no.7 – Very Funny! Published by: Verlag für moderne Kunst Nürnberg
• 2009 Book section: Decor–active Decadent Stupidity. +rosebud no.7 – Very Funny! Published by: Verlag für moderne Kunst Nürnberg
• 2008 Which one will you be in the year 1984. Coptic Bound Artists’ Book
• 2007 Book section: Dollars. +rosebud no.6 – IDEALS. Published by: Gestalten Books, Berlin
• 2006 Armchair Anarchy: Coptic Bound Artists’ Book
• 2007 Book section: Existence is Futile. +rosebud no.6 – IDEALS. Published by: Gestalten Books, Berlin