University News Last updated 22 February 2011
Birmingham Institute of Art & Design (BIAD) at Birmingham City University has launched an exciting new initiative for research into the history, theory and practice of typographic design.
The Typographic Hub is concerned with typography of all eras, from all nations and in all its guises. Research projects range from a new study of John Baskerville of Birmingham to London tart cards, Parisian underground graphics and Italian typographic modernism. The Hub welcomes doctoral research students from home and abroad who wish to study typography and its allied fields.
The Hub also maintains a specialist library, which is open to anyone with either an academic, professional or passing interest in typography, and its contents allow the study of all aspects of the cultural, practical and technical achievements of the industry. The library comprises more the 4,000 items of typographic interest including reference books, journals and periodicals, trade literature, items of printed ephemera and collections of special interest.
Professor Mario Minichiello, Head of Visual Communications at Birmingham City University said: “The Typographic Hub represents a significant development for all those within graphic communication and typography.
“It has international appeal as it is a timely resource as a centre of discourse, research, debate and business activities. I would encourage all academics and practitioners in the field to be a part of the start of this and to contribute to the strength and depth of typographic practice and knowledge in the world.”
The work of the Hub is promoted through a publishing programme of popular and academic articles, which appear each week on its recently launched website [www.typographichub.org], which was designed by BIAD alumni Supercool, Birmingham.
The Hub is celebrating is launch with a one-day international symposium scheduled for 16th March 2011. Speakers have been drawn from the USA, Europe, New Zealand and across the UK. Full details are available on the Hub website.
For further information, please contact Dr Caroline Archer, email caroline.archer@bcu.ac.uk or telephone 0121 331 5871.