James Dyer, Ph.D.

James teaches design theory, research and writing for the Graphic Design and Fine Art & Experimental Media programmes.

Alongside his teaching, James writes extensively on a wide range of topics related to design and communication. He is particularly interested in the ways that communication falls short of expectations and how those failings can have unintended, creative consequences. Other themes in his writing include the absurd, process philosophical notions of “eventfulness”, dirty realism, and the everyday. In line with these themes, James has curated exhibitions and written short articles and essays about design and communication for an array of popular and independent publications. 

In 2022, James co-authored and edited Graphic Events: A Realist Account of Graphic Design. His book is on the ways that banal graphics live beyond the intentions of designers. Since the publication of Graphic Events, James has curated exhibitions and written short articles, flash fiction, and essays about design and communication for an array of popular and independent publications. The themes of his upcoming book are street graphics, the politics of naïve labour, and playful pedagogies. You can follow his works in progress at jamesdyer.co.uk.