‘Design is Play’ Symposium: A Look into our Collaborative Graphic Design Event

Each speaker introduced themselves to the students with an overview of their specialism, and the next day hosted an engaging workshop inspired by their craft, working with students by offering advice and perspective on the work created.  

Speaking about the event, Luke shared: “Our hope is for students to remember the childlike sense of play that’s inherent in all kinds of design. Often in design we can put people in very tight constraints, and you learn a lot of rules. But there's a lot of fun to be had in bending and breaking some of those rules and being looser with things.”.” 

Speaking of her workshop on type design, Marie explained: “My talk focused on using type design as a framework for your life, because it has all sorts of rules that can feel really intimidating, but it can be a great springboard for creativity. I encouraged students to think of play as a state of mind, as something you do regardless of where you are or what you do.” 

Reflecting on how he tasked students to create an album cover, Jimmy added: “In workshops you often get such unexpected results especially when it’s based on people’s passions. The workshop this morning was based on creating something you would take with you to a desert island, such as your favourite album or song track of all time. It meant people were reacting to something they already have, and to give them an alternative take on that was very interesting, and some fantastic collages were produced throughout the process.” 

When asked what he wanted students to take away with them, Lex said: “University is a beautiful space to experiment and figure things out – it is a place to find your voice, your perspective, take risks, and be bold in the world. For me, coming from the digital side, it was important to show how to not be afraid of the digital or code side of design.” 

Morag added: “Something I hope is that even in a room of 300 people, if you only really make contact with one, that is more than none. I wanted to be myself and just show what is possible in design.” 

Over the two days, students listened to talks and came prepared with an abundance of questions to ask the speakers, ranging on everything from advice on breaking into the industry to specifics of each creative’s practise. The following day students got the chance to create their own work inspired by each speaker’s specialism.  

Third year graphic design student Alva Oeritsland said: “It was liberating to see how different each talk was. It has been great to see a variety of people and perspectives and it made me feel as though designers can do whatever is unique to them.” 

Reflecting on the event, fellow student Megan Childs said: “It’s been good to work hands on with the speakers’ guidance and be given an activity that didn’t necessarily sit within my comfort zone. It has stretched and pushed me.” 

We want to say a huge thank you to senior lecturer Ashley Rudolf, graphic design course leader Andy Neal, and Luke Tonge from Birmingham Design Festival for bringing this event to life.  

Learn more about Graphic Design BA(Hons)