Staff Profiles

Areas of Expertise

Graphic Design and Multimedia, Cross-Cultural Design, Graphic applications to surface design

Teaching Areas

Ian lectures in the following course areas in the School of Design Studies: Typography, Colour & Composition; Design, Computing (Illustrator & Photoshop); Advanced Typography & Publication Design, Design Studio 4, Graphics Media (Masters program). He is currently programmed to supervise the graduating year multidisciplinary studio (Design Studio 4) in Semester 1 2008. Ian was a curator of the 2007 graduate exhibition. He is also lecturer in the COFA Online course Fashion 1980 – NOW at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In 2006 Ian lectured in the online courses: Graphic Design & Society; Print Advertising for a Global Market].

Current Research Activity

The focus of Ian McArthur’s research interest is on the potential of collaboration in design practice and design education. In 2003/2004 he initiated the COLLABOR8© Project to foster multidisciplinary projects between design education programs in different institutions, and specifically across different cultures. The research placed design students at La Salle DHU International Design College on Dong Hua University Campus, Shanghai, PRChina into small teams with their counterparts at Kingscliff TAFE in North Coast NSW Australia. Ian’s ongoing interest in design education and practice in China is currently expressed via his work in the design team Birds & Fish.

As a member of the Omnium Research Group at the College of Fine Arts (COFA), Ian is currently Project Developer and Producer of Omnium’s 'Creative Waves' global e-learning project for 2008 - COLLABOR8 (C8).  C8 is an Icograda endorsed non-profit educational initiative, which aims to create awareness about the importance of cross-cultural design practice by challenging students to work together collaboratively to design graphics for environmentally friendly, sustainable products such as ceramics, textiles, products and environments.

C8 is groundbreaking because it explores issues related to a rapidly emerging paradigm where China is central to many design and production processes. C8 emulates a real world where designers work together online collaboratively with a common need to face the inescapable challenges of creating sustainable design. It is this future focus that makes C8 a unique design education initiative.
 
For more information about COLLABOR8 2008 visit: http://creativewaves.omnium.net.au/c8

Publications

Published Articles

McArthur, I.W. (2004). Global Weave. Desktop, (#197, September). ( - ).

McArthur, I.W. (2004). Collaborate. Mac + Design, (October). ( - ).

McArthur, I.W. (2004). Design is Changing. Mac + Design, (July). ( - ).

McArthur, I.W. (2004). Downtown Bicycle. Desktop, (#193, May). ( - ).

McArthur, I.W. (2004). A Digital Renaissance?. Mac + Design, (April). ( - ).

McArthur, I.W. (2003). Are you receiving me?. MACNEWS CHINA, (June). ( - ).

McArthur, I.W. (2003). Digital Styles & Social Responsibility. MACNEWS CHINA, (August). ( - ).

Projects

~enrich  (Current)
A COFA Online project designed to develop and offer public, professionals and corporate bodies online education option in Art & Design.

Commissions

2001, Thornton Public Library Project. Ceramic Mural. Maitland Shire Council, Thornton, NSW,