Matt Edgar BA BSc MA
ASSOCIATE HEAD SHEFFIELD CREATIVE INDUSTRIES INSTITUTE (SCII)
Summary
I provide professional, operational, and academic leadership and direction across the Sheffield Creative Industries Institute, working collaboratively across the College and University. My work involves contributing to the strategic development and management of the Institute. I am concerned with three core activities; teaching and learning, research and innovation, and commitment to place. This work is underpinned by five core values; collaboration, ambition, inclusion, innovation, and integrity.
About
Eventually everything connects—people, ideas, objects... the quality of the connections is the key to quality per se... (Eames, C).
My career spans professional practice in graphic design, television/radio production, and higher education. This experience informs my approach to developing applied curricula. I have written, led, and managed courses across the Visual Communication subject areas (BA, MA, MDes, and Degree Apprenticeships).
I teach graphic design, focusing on developing holistic approaches to embedding history, theory, and practice in delivery. In the context of research, knowledge, and innovation, I commission and curate exhibitions that address key issues within the discipline. These have included Ken Garland, Lance Wyman (with Unit Editions), Jan van Toorn, Universal Everything, and Why Not Associates. I also produce films to accompany these exhibitions.
Teaching
I am part of the curriculum development group and champion of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology. The South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT) went live in September 2023. Backed by over £21 million in funding from the Department for Education and partners, the establishment of SYIoT in South Yorkshire marks a significant milestone for the region, kite-marking the high-quality, higher-level technical education and training provision in the region. One of only twenty-one IoTs nationally, this is a major investment and recognition of the region’s higher education provision. Technologies include a cutting-edge immersive suite with AR and VR equipment to replicate real-world scenarios, interactive 3D graphics and audio High-resolution scanning facilities, wearable sensors, drone technologies, robotics, and interactive studio spaces.
Sheffield Creative Industries Institute
Courses taught
BA Graphic Design
BA Graphic Design (UX)
(DA) BSc Digital User Experience (UX)
(DA) Creative Digital Design
Modules taught
Graphic Design Lecture Programme
Graduation Project Graphic Design
CDD Projects
Bridging Digital & Physical Experiences (UX)
Digital Design Futures
Digital Media Practice
Digital UX Practice
Research
Page Hall Slovak Roma Health Inequalities Project. Exploring models of experiential learning that connect our priority of civic/social responsibility with our values (inclusion, collaboration, and integrity). This project provides real world work experience to students unable to undertake the sandwich placement, connecting our EEDI ambitions to our knowledge applied offer.
Research and scholarly outputs include: Co-production of research project and film about the writing of celebrated designer Ken Garland (2012-present), Co-founder Curated by… Visual Communication public facing lecture and conference programme, curating, managing, and leading 9 conferences and 102 events (2012-present), Co-production of a documentary film, Punk & Pageant, Why Not Associates & ‘Typography Now’ (2016-present). Graphic Design Lecture Programme (2016-present)
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. https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/c3ri/events/ken-garland-structure-and-substance-0
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2015). Edition #2. [exhibition]. Made North Gallery. https://www.madenorthgallery.co.uk/portfolio/made-north-edition2/
Edgar, M., & Bowman, P. (2015). Transform: Catalytic Communication. [billboard exhibition]. billboard opposite Sheffield Station. https://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. https://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: https://curated---by.org/
RSA
BIMA
D&AD
Unit Editions
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 externally examine courses in graphic design and film and television.
Exhibitions, conferences, panels & talks include: Helvetica 50 (Ex. 2007), Critical Practice (Ex. 2008), Offset Dublin (Panels, 2014 & 2015), A Word in Your Eye (Ex. 2014) Offset Sheffield (Panel, 2016), Lance Wyman – Design Logs (Ex. 2016) Where Bombs Fell (Ex. T(w)alks 2016-present), WNA x30 (Ex. 2017) Letraset: The DIY Type Revolution (Ex.2018) Typecon Portland (Con. 2018), Icons 3 (Talk, 2020), Icons 8 (Talk, 2021), ICAD Diversify Design (Talk, 2021), ICAD Inclusive Design (Talk, 2023), Comics up Close (Talk, 2024) [+ Graduate exhibitions (latterly Future Now Festival) and D&AD New Blood/New Designers (Sheffield & London 2008-present)