Introduction
David founded the Message group in December 2007 and co-ordinated activities until January 2011.
His research interests are varied but lie mainly in the areas in typography, branding and identity, editorial and publishing.
He also explores how design disciplines interact with one another.
This is demonstrated in his work as both a graphic and garden designer.
Re-current themes in David’s work relate to
• Brands and branding in the wider communication context.
• How designers develop psychological defense mechanisms that enable them to work in commercial environments.
• The effectiveness of studio based learning and group activity.
• Design for music.
• Visual full stops and pauses.
• Messages within the environment.
• Design in therapeutic contexts.
• Chance in design.
• Replacing imagery with words and typography.
• Design and visual languages.
Outputs from 2007 - 2011
2009 Full stops and roses
Message research group seminar presentation of personal body of work:
An analysis of visual full stops and pauses and there relation to messages within the environment
(as part of personal interest in gardens and landscape and cross disciplinary practice).
2009 Sadirvan – Islamic ablution fountains
Part of Message exhibition, Sherwell Centre, University of Plymouth:
A photographic study of ablution fountains and their significance in Islam.
2010 Of Trees
Part of Message exhibition, Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth:
A personal body of work and ongoing project on typographic gardens.
An investigation of how gardens might be visualised in the absence of physical space and using typography alone.
It explores how trees are a reflection of the human condition.
2010 Transferring brands effectively across different media
Conference paper and seminar group workshop Origin Publishing / BBC Magazines:
Written for, and presented to, Origin Publishing / BBC Magazines (Bristol) on the challenges faced by magazine publishers today,
in terms of how they produce and deliver editorial content. A lecture to editorial staff, followed by seminar workshops on how
brands might transfer and be imagined in different media contexts.
Current research
Of Trees
A personal body of work and ongoing project on typographic gardens.
More is more – the baroque hangover in graphic design
Currently in progress, an analysis of how baroque style is still prevalent in contemporary graphic design and communication.
The Branding Complex – Changing visual identity in large organisations
Currently in progress, this project charts the market evaluation, process, design development and implementation of a new brand identity for a University. It evaluates how collaboration is key to all successful brand implementation and change in large and complex organizations.