Staff Profile

  • James has been teaching Graphic Communication at The University of Northampton since 2008. He has held a number of roles including Lecturer, Programme Leader, Learning & Teaching coordinator, and Partnership Manager, in which he set up and developed Further and Higher Education programmes with design institutions in the UK and Netherlands.

    James is a practicing graphic designer, collaborating and producing work for individuals and organisations across cultural and private sectors. His personal design research has been shown in galleries across the UK, Europe and America, most recently an exhibition of video and sound works at Division of Labour (London) in December 2018.

  • James is a Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, currently teaching:

    Design Projects 1

    This Level 4 module introduces students to principles of research, idea generation and technical design skills. Through an active blend of workshops, briefs and presentations, students experience the varied roles of a Graphic Communicator working on projects that embrace the idea of ‘Designer as Changemaker’.

    Final Major Study & Design Dissertation

    Individual supervision is at the heart of James’ teaching at Level 6, drawing on his own experiences in supporting students to create a portfolio of practical and written work shaped around their postgraduate ambitions.

  • Current practice-led research includes explorations of systems within typography. James is currently developing a series of parametric and generative typefaces for the foundry Counter Type.

  • For publications, projects, datasets, research interests and activities, view James Smith’s research profile on Pure, the University of Northampton’s Research Explorer.