Matt Edgar MA
Principal Lecturer in Graphic Design and Operational Lead for Visual Communication
Summary
I am a graphic design educator and researcher.
About
I co-designed and developed the Graphic Design degree course here in the Department of Art and Design. I teach across the curriculum with a particular focus on developing holistic approaches to embedding history, theory and practice in delivery.
I commission and curate exhibitions that address key issues within the discipline. These have included Ken Garland and Lance Wyman (with Unit Editions), Jan van Toorn, Universal Everything, and Why Not Associates. My MA is in Film and Television Documentary, resulting in current research that results in films that investigate the history of typography and design.
Teaching
Visual Communication
Graphic Design
Design Principles, Design Practice, Graduation Projects Graphic Design.
I also lead the Visual Communication Lecture Programme.
Research
My current research projects include:
Where Bombs Fell, a mapping project of the city of Sheffield charting sites where bombs fell during the second world war. The map uses chronological and locational narratives in an attempt to make the city more legible.
Punk & Pageant, a documentary film that charts the development of Why Not Associates from graduates of the Royal College of Art in 1987, to figureheads of British graphic design. Their rise took place at a significant period of real change and have made a valuable contribution to the history and value of our discipline. First screened at Offset Dublin 2018
Ken Garland: Structure & Substance, a research inquiry asking how a key text within graphic design could be represented in new and emerging contexts. Outputs have included an exhibition in 2014, a website and a series of talks.
Publications
Book chapters
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2015). Spin 360. In Shaughnessy, A. (Ed.) spin 360˚. UK: Unit Editions: https://www.uniteditions.com/shop/spin-360
Exhibitions
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2014). Structure & substance : Ken Garland. [Exhibition and recorded interviews]. Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/c3ri/events/ken-garland-structure-and-substance-0
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2015). Edition #2. [exhibition]. Made North Gallery. http://www.madenorthgallery.co.uk/portfolio/made-north-edition2/
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2015). Transform: Catalytic Communication. [billboard exhibition]. billboard opposite Sheffield Station. http://www.sheffielddesignweek.co.uk/
Bowman, P., & Edgar, M. (2014). Ken Garland - Structure and Substance. [exhibition and filmed interviews]. SIA Gallery.
Bowman, P., & Edgar, M. (2016). Lance Wyman design logbooks 1972–present. [curation and design of exhibition]. Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/sia/events/event-listing.html?event=189
Bowman, P., & Edgar, M. (2017). WNAX30. [public exhibition]. Post Hall Gallery, Sheffield Institute of Arts. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/sia/events/event-listing.html?event=252
Media
Bowman, P., & Edgar, M. (2018). Punk & Pageant. [film]. sheffield institute of arts
Bowman, P., & Edgar, M. (2018). Typography Now. [film]. sheffield institute of arts: https://vimeo.com/261338195
Presentations
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2015). Curated by... Transformations. Presented at: Sheffield Design Week Conference 2015 - Adventures in Design and Architecture, Sheffield, 2015
Other publications
Edgar, M. (2016). Where Bombs Fell. Sheffield: Matt Edgar: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/where-bombs-fell-guided-walk-tickets-30086672046#
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (n.d.). Curated by. Sheffield: Visual Communication – Sheffield Hallam University: http://curated---by.org/
Other activities
I write regularly for the Mess journal in Sheffield (http://howfineamess.com/).