BA (Hons) Graphic Design

As a practicing graphic designer and founder of Studio Auto, Matt Thame has consistently reinvented and modified his output, resulting in a body of work that is both extensive and incredibly diverse. Matt has built an international reputation for striking design work for the music industry, with a prolific output for many major record labels. His work on album covers for labels such as Strut Records & Universal is particularly renowned. Studio Auto continues to broaden its client base to include current arts organisations, corporate identities and independent artists. Matt works in a multi-disciplinary style incorporating illustration, photography and typography in a flexible and individual approach to each project. As a tutor at Arts University Plymouth, Matt enjoys sharing ideas, encouraging potential, expanding skills and communication, drawing on his own experiences as a working designer to complement and enhance the students discovery into the demanding standards that are required of a contemporary graphic designer, in presentation, creative process, conceptualization and art direction.

Amy is Senior Lecturer & Course leader for our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree. Amy began her career in 2016 in the sports industry as a graphic designer for the Exeter Chiefs rugby club and Sandy Park Stadium. While at the Chiefs, she led rebranding efforts for parts of Sandy Park stadium and developed a new visual brand for the 2019/20 season. Her work has been showcased to audiences of over 250,000 people through features on BT Sport, and she has also created artwork for England Rugby and the city of Exeter. Additionally, she gained valuable experience collaborating with other well-known sporting brands such as RedBull. Following her successful industry work, Amy pursued a Master of Arts degree in Visual Communication at Arts University Plymouth, graduating with Distinction in November 2021. She then joined Arts University Plymouth in February 2022 as a lecturer for the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, Distance Learning programs, and as the specialist tutor for MA Visual Communication. Amy has also launched her own project, The Play Method, and is currently working towards a PhD focused on play theory and creative practice.

Jack Viant graduated from Arts University Plymouth with a BA (Hons) Illustration in 2015. Previously, Jack has been a Graduate Studentship Lecturer at the university, working alongside the Careers team, students and lecturers. Jack currently lectures on BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth. “As a Studentship Lecturer I work primarily with 1st year degree students and I provide confidence boosting and guidance as well as a mass amount of online visual resources which assist students in making the most out of their time and resources here at the college. Additionally I offer advice and guidance concerning my experience in the art industry as well as supporting the whole ‘good student bad student paradigm’ I aim to guide students along the correct path!” As well as working at the university Jack also focuses on his work as a Freelance Illustrator. Jack has worked with clients including Oxford University Press, Woodmansterne publications, Supha's Street Food Emporium, Syfy, OKIDO Magazine, Hallmark Cards, Dartmoor Zoo, Animated Exeter and Plymouth History Week. Specialising in children’s illustrations, Jack is published by Bloomsbury, Miles Kelly, Hachette and Oxford University Press, and represented by the Bright Agency. “My work is playful and abstract. A lot of my imagery is influenced by vintage edgy cartoons and the surrealist movement. My work is composed digitally but contains hand rendered textures and other elements which are then implemented and manipulated digitally. I enjoy the thought of perpetual chaos! “ Visit Jack’s website: www.jiantillustration.co.uk

Sue's creative career began in London's fashion industry, where she honed her skills for over 15 years as a graphic designer and art director specialising in editorial and catalogue design. However, her passion for creative expression led her to transition into the world of printmaking in 2013. Recognising the potential of this medium, she pursued a Master's degree in printmaking, earning the prestigious Principles Commendation Award from Arts University Plymouth for her innovative practice-led research. Currently based in Ocean Studios, Plymouth, Devon, Sue operates her print studio. Alongside managing her studio, she shares her knowledge and expertise as a lecturer in BA (Hons) Graphic Design, supporting the next generation of designers to reach their aspirations. Beyond her studio and academic pursuits, Sue regularly engages in collaborative projects and commissions with artists, designers and organisations. She is a member of the Plymouth Design Forum team, and actively involved with fostering discussions, debates, and the promotion of design thinking and creativity within Plymouth and the South-west region. One of Sue's standout initiatives is Colossal, a mobile print workshop designed to democratise printmaking experiences and engage communities. Through Colossal, she endeavours to bring the art of printmaking directly to the people, igniting creativity and fostering a sense of empowerment through hands-on creative expression. Sue's dedication to making art and design accessible and meaningful underscores her commitment to enriching both individual lives and the broader community through the power of creativity. www.suelewry.com

Neil’s career in Graphic Design started in 2001. He spent four years studying the subject at Plymouth College of Art - then known as Plymouth College of Art and Design, then going on to Berkshire College of Art to study for his degree. After his first few jobs with design agencies, he decided to start his own business in Plymouth (despite many people telling him that starting a design business in Plymouth was not viable). He went on to run a successful design business for eight years, with clients including the NHS and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). In 2006, Neil reignited his passion for photography and creative image making, buying his first DSLR. Having previously only used film cameras, Neil found the digital side of photography fascinating and he learnt everything he could, becoming obsessed with the technical aspect of photography. Neil’s career took a different turn after he spent some time volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo in 2011. Dartmoor Zoo was bought in August 2006 by Benjamin Mee, who wrote a book about his experiences called We Bought a Zoo (2008), and a film based on the book was released in 2011, starring Matt Damon and directed by Cameron Crowe. Having always been interested in animals and wildlife, Neil enjoyed volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo as a change from his usual office job. Seeing that the Zoo’s lack of funding had left them with little promotional material, and out of date branding, Neil provided them with an updated style and rebranded their advertising materials. He was then asked by Benjamin Mee (who was played in the film by Matt Damon) to help out with promotion for the film, arranging interviews, travel and the film premiere. This then led to Neil being employed full time as the Zoo’s Marketing Manager, and he spent the next five years helping the Zoo to transform from being privately owned and unfunded to becoming a registered charity. Neil’s main passion has always been photography, and in 2016 he joined the team at Arts University Plymouth as a Technical Demonstrator in both Photography and Graphic Design. Neil gets his inspiration from discovering new locations to shoot in. In his current role as a Technical Tutor, Neil works to teach and support students across all of our visual design and media courses.