Ben Greenhalgh

Programme Leader, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Benjamin is a multi-disciplined designer and academic with 15 years creative industry experience and 7 years teaching experience. A Senior Lecturer, he currently teaches full-time on the Foundation Art & Design programme, and leads the graphics and illustration pathway area.

As a creative practitioner, Benjamin specialises in design for print, branding, art direction and web, has vast knowledge of relevant software, and has worked with clients across a range of sectors including hospitality, property and healthcare.

After graduating in 2007, Benjamin spent over 8 years working at Cuckoo Design, progressing to Senior Designer in 2013, before expanding his career into education in 2016.

He was commissioned to create the visual identity for the IASDR 2019 International design research conference hosted across MMU and managed all creative aspects of the project including concept, design and production.

Within the delivery of the Foundation Art & Design programme, he is involved in all aspects from teaching, tutoring, leading, mentoring, planning, assessing, collaborating, creating, advising, supporting and liaising; communicating with fellow academic staff, technicians and students.


QUALIFICATIONS

2020-21
PGCLTHE, Manchester Metropolitan University

2018-19
Fellowship of The Higher Education Academy, Manchester Metropolitan University

2004-07
BA(hons) Design & Art Direction, Manchester Metropolitan University

2003-04
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University


CAREER

2022-
Senior Lecturer, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University

2016-22
Lecturer, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University

2016-
Independent Freelance Designer, BYBG, Wilmslow

2020
Mentor, 2020 Undergraduate Research & Education Internship Scheme

2016
Guest Lecturer, Manchester Fashion Institute

2015-16
Associate Lecturer, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University

2013-16
Senior Designer, Cuckoo Design, Manchester

2008-13
Junior Artworker to Designer, Cuckoo Design, Manchester

2007-08
Graphic Designer, quote.co.uk, Manchester


RECENT ACTIVITY

2020/21
Completion of my final PGCLTHE unit, achieving 82/100; based around ‘Interaction within a virtual, creative studio environment’.

2020/21
Completion of Imaginative Press 2021; a weekly project alongside foundation students.

2019/20
Participation and key design lead in the European Union funded project ‘MinD – Designing for People with Dementia: Designing for mindful self-empowerment and social engagement’ (2016-2020), completing a 30 day secondment in Germany.

2019/20
Creation of the visual identity (from initial concept through to production) for the IASDR 2019 International design research conference hosted across MMU / Manchester School of Art.

2019/20
Completion of the visual work of the 5 IASDR 2019 proceedings volumes.

2020
Lead design and organisation role in developing a collaborative creative project – The Invisible King, a children’s illustrated book, alongside foundation students and academic staff.

2020
Organisation and planning of a work placement and live project opportunity for 4 students to work alongside Aster Muro in creating a contemporary abstract fresco, their biggest to date.

2020
Curation and adaptation of Imaginative Press 20; a project running 20 weeks involving foundation students that entailed a visual response to news stories weekly, spanning January to May 2020.

2020
Curation of the Wordplay digital publication; exploring the art of visualising words in different creative ways, resulting in a unique typographical alphabet.

2018/19
Achieved Fellow of The Higher Education Academy status, obtaining 72/100 for both units.

2017
Completion of Imaginative Press; an all year-round creative project, that entailed a visual response to daily news every day for the duration of 2017.