Design Project

M A R T I N L OC K E R

Profile Summary

Martin Locker is a lecturer at Asian University, where as well as being the

Associate Dean for the Faculty of Liberal Arts, he founded the Department of

Multimedia which is now reaching its first student graduating year in May 2009.

He has now developed a Master s degree in Interaction Design due to receive its

first students in August 2010.

Martin graduated from the Royal College of Art with an ma in Computer Related

Design. He went on to work as programme leader at the rca before moving to

Thailand where he worked for 5 years in the field of efl as a branch director for

aua Language Centre.

In the uk, Martin had also taught for several years as programme leader in

Communication Design at Central Saint Martin s School of Art & Design, as well

as a lecturer at the University of Reading where he received his first class ba in

Typography and Graphic Communication.

In addition to having over 20 years of experience in education, Martin has

worked for many years in the field of user interface design for international

companies including Silicon Graphics Inc where he designed Exposure, the 3D

digital composition tool used by DreamWorks in animation productions such as

Prince of Egypt.

Current Position

My position at Asian University requires that I undertake three major roles:

Associate Dean for the Faculty of Liberal Arts

I have been working in this position since 8/2005 during which time I have had

the opportunity to create and develop a new Bachelor of Arts curriculum in

Multimedia.

As Associate Dean, I work closely in a supporting role with the Faculty Dean

developing new initiatives as well as dealing with day to day administration

and recruitment. Academically, I have been focusing on developing the teaching

methodologies and materials involved in the instigation of a new programme in

the art and design field, as well as presenting papers on pedagogical strategies

for teaching digital media (see recent paper).

In terms of recruitment, my role is two-fold; both as developer of marketing 2

materials (examples illustrated on this page) and as outreacher visiting schools,

expositions and organizing open day events.

The faculty has two undergraduate programmes (English for Business

Communication and Multimedia) one postgraduate programme (Teaching

English to Speakers of Other Languages) as well as providing the university

with departments in Humanities, Mathematics and Communication Skills.

In addition, the faculty provides special courses in intensive English language

learning, English Summer Camps and a Summer University.

A series of ten roll-up 2-metre high posters designed for use at public expositions.

Programme Leader for the Department of Multimedia

The Multimedia programme is a full 4 years. This means we have to provide a

pretty intensive schedule of courses from foundation through to senior year.

Along with this, comes the management and development of the department.

We currently have four full time members of staff supported by a part-time

secretary and 32 students spread over 4 years. In addition, other Faculty teachers

are recruited in to the department as necessary to teach specific courses and

support the slim team.

Entrance and corridor of the Multimedia Department

Since the course started (8/2005), we have progressed the department from a

one-room studio to a complete floor together with its own resources boasting a

media viewing lounge, two modest media labs, an image capture studio, sound

recording and editing labs, a mixed-year creative studio and two seminar rooms.

In 8/2009, the department received full validation and saw its first graduating 3

year of students. Much of the inspiration for developing the Multimedia

programme was to focus on preparing students to continue their education at

master s level in a reputable Western university.

A2 promotional poster is designed to fold into a brochure

Lecturer in Multimedia

My role as lecturer is very much full-time teaching approximately 16 contact

hours per week. This is necessary both to support the running of a cost efficient

department in its early stages of development, as well as there being a need to

provide as much hands-on leadership as possible. This is without doubt the most

satisfying part of my day; prosecuting research, building materials and nurturing

students. The additional challenge of teaching content to second language

learners makes the job especially interesting - it makes you become a better

teacher (you need to be more communicative, well prepared, adaptive, organized

etc). Courses taught include Principles of Communication; Font Design;

Principles of Communication Design; History of Visual Communication; Studio;

Independent Project; Interaction Design Theory and Practice; Making Images;

Report Writing.

Promotional brochure printed to celebrate the first graduating students

Master of Arts in Interaction Design

This programme is at its initial stage of development, recruiting students and

staff to launch in August 2010. For more details please review the web site.

4

Sample page from the Interaction Design web site.

Quality Assurance & tqf

I am currently actively involved as a member of a working committee reviewing

and implementing the new qa standards (Thai Qualifications Framework or

tqf). I have already rewritten The ba in Multimedia and the ma in Interaction

Design curricula in order to meet these standards and I am now developing

and implementing qa processes in order to support and make practical needed

changes

Taught Course s

The following courses have all been taught at Asian University and form part of

the BA programme in Multimedia. (more examples of student work can be seen

in recent paper)

Making Images

Over a ten-week period, this introductory workshop enables students to learn

fundamental principles behind image making. Students learn about drawing and

photography as well as colour theory and digital processing.

Drawing and photography field trip to Baan Sarey beach

Principles of Communication Design 5

Design principles in context. This course focuses primarily on how technological

developments and philosophical attitudes of the 20th century influenced

approaches to communication design; from woodblock to virtual media.

Exercise in Gestalt theory

Studio Practice - The self

This introductory course enables students to explore basic design principles

through self discovery and reflection. This course run parallel with Principles of

Communication Design.

Student work - a text-only message of self expression titled Violence

Principles of Communication

This basic-level course presents interaction and transaction in communication,

verbal and non-verbal language, interpersonal communication, group and

organizational communication, public communication, and Media & Popular

Culture.

6

Decoding a Jackson Pollock painting using semiotic theory

Studio Practice - Process

A series of project-based assignments that look at different approaches to the

process of art and design. From Wabi-Sabi to Corporate Identity, students

explore various strategies for developing their own methodology.

Wabi-Sabi: Nature s process on the natural world

Principles of Font Design

This part-practical subject looks at how the tools used to create type throughout

history have influenced the design. Students engage in designing experimental

typefaces as part of this course.

Bilingual font project - Development of designs using Adobe Illustrator.

History of Graphic Communication 7

This course provides a brief introduction to how visual language developed

throughout the world from cave paintings to contemporary multimedia.

Scanner photograms - student work exploring the ideas of Mahony Nagy

Interaction Design Theory and Practice

Basic theories of usability touching on psychology are discussed along with the

last 20 years or research into the interface between man and machine; from door

handles to virtual reality. Practical experimentation into interface design and

usability also forms part of this course.

Student experimentation using Processing Java scripting language

Studio Practice - Ways of seeing

A series of project-based assignments focussing on investigating different

perspectives. From personal postcards to art installations, students explore

various modes of communication.

Student installation work on Freedom & Identity

Studio Practice - Going Public

Throughout the second and third years of study, students engage in practical

work specific to the option they have elected (Communication, Design,

Technology). These are founded in project-based tasks varying in length and

focus. Going public is a design focussed option in which students are required to

develop their ideas on public-facing projects through to final production.

8

Student work: redesign of the university prospectus

Independent Project

In the latter semesters of the programme, students undergo their own project

work; they are expected to define their own criteria for assessment and present

progress of their work throughout the semester. The completed work is critically

appraised and is a required element of the final display of work shown at the end

of the fourth year.

Work experience

8/2004 Present A s i an U ni ve rs i t y Thailand

Associate dean for Liberal arts / Programme leader in Multimedia

Wrote and instigated the new International Bachelor of Arts degree programme

in Multimedia: Communication, Design, Technology. 2009 saw its first

graduating students. Now instigating a Master of Arts programme in Interaction

Design.

2002 Present N ove mbe r G roup California

Interaction design consultant

Occasional interaction design consultant working mostly on web-related work.

The most recent project involved designing an interactive web application to

enable customers to brand selected merchandise.

01/1999 8/2004 A UA L ang ua g e C ente r Thailand 9

Branch director / EFL teacher

Startup and management of the AUA Language Center in Suratthani and then

R ayong. Teacher training, Course development, Design and production of the

AUA Language Center website (now changed).

01/1998 12/1998 M ah ab alip oru m India

Travelling Artist

Set up a studio in Tamil Nadu producing various works on the themes of

Hinduism, gender and culture.

10/1996 12/1997 R o yal C olleg e of A rt London

Programme leader / Lecturer

The planning, curriculum development, running and teaching of the Master

Degree programme in Computer Related Design (now renamed Design

Interactions ).

9/1997 9/1997 I nte rval R e s e arch California

Interaction design consultant

Consultancy in reviewing new product designs for children s toys.

7/1997 7/1997 A nde rs en C ons u lt ing Paris

Interaction design consultant

Consultant to Andersen Consulting to develop a web site for Deutche Telecom to

enable consumers to do on-line telephone billing.

1/1996 9/1996 S ilicon S t udio s, S GI California

Interaction design engineer

Working within SGI to develop software for SGK Dreamworks. The design and

interaction of 3 software tools for producing feature animations. The tools

specifically addressed asset management, storyboarding and animation design

and construction. Exposure was initially used for the animation production of

Prince of Egypt.

9/1995 12/1995 IDEO London

Interaction design consultant

Worked as a member of the interaction design team. Projects included work for

Nokia, Texas Instruments and TeleDenmark.

10/1994 7/1995 T he SI TA G roup France

Interaction design consultant

Involved on the design of 3 products: Designing a fault diagnosis help desk for

network management; Creating a prototyping design tool; a schematic network

fault identification system.

6/1994 10/1994 T alig ent I nc (Apple Computers) California

Interaction design consultant

The design and specification for the complete look and feel of the Beta release of

CommonPoint (Apple Computer Pink). Specifically the design of collaborative 10

software, typographic standards and futures work on People, Places and Things.

6/1993 10/1993 B ri t is h Telecom Ipswich, UK

Interaction design consultant

Design and prototyping of an on-screen videophone. Concert redesign -

alternative user-center ways of looking at network management software.

10/1990 08/1993 R o yal C olleg e of A rt London

Lecturer

Part time lecturer for the Masters programme in Computer Related Design.

10/1992 10/1993 C ent r al S aint M art in s London

Programme leader / Lecturer

Acting course leader for the Masters programme in Communication Design.

6/1990 6/1992 D e s ig n L o cke r Bristol / London

Managing director

Startup and establishment of a graphic design consultancy working in

London and the South West. Design solutions, Technology-led, Management

consultancy.

10/1985 10/1987 U ni ve rs i t y of R e ading Reading, UK

Lecturer

Working as a lecturer and year tutor on the Department of Typography and

Graphic Communication.

Education

Aug-1995 R o yal C olleg e of A rt London

Master s Degree

Master of Arts degree in Computer Related Design

Aug-1985 U ni ve rs i t y of R e ading Reading, UK

Bachelor s Degree

First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Typography and Graphic

Communication

Apr-2003 T EFL I nte rnat ional Ban Phe, Thailand

TESOL Certificate

Highly recommended. Four-week intensive programme in EFL teaching theory,

practice and techniques.

Personal details

British National / UK passport holder. Lived in Thailand for over ten years and

can speak Thai at a reasonable level. Date of birth 1962.

*******@**********.*** mobile: +66-89-699-****

Contact details

Contact this candidate