David Gardener

Assistant Professor

Department: Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries

Email David

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Graphic Design and its wider influences.

Branding strategies and axioms.

Branding and Advertising during the Second World War.

The films of Jaques Tati.

Post-war British visual history.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Brands of War and Disruption, Gardener, D. 21 Feb 2025, In: International Journal of Visual Design
The Visual Driver; promoting clarity and coherence, Pinkney, M., Gardener, D. 27 May 2019, Around the Campfire – Resilience and Intelligence, Aalto, Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media
Recording in progress – don’t forget to unplug the phone, Gardener, D. Jul 2011, Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Art Educators (ANZAAE) Annual Conference
Sharing resources and experiences across the cultural hemisphere, Gardener, D. 2008, Research That Works: Successful Collaborations: Proceedings of the 5th Biennial Conference of the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand Research Forum, Wellington, New Zealand, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics New Zealand
The means by which we find our way, Gardener, D., Wilkinson, A. 2008, In: Typo
The means by which we find our way: observations on design, Gardener, D., Wilkinson, A. 2008

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Publication Peer-review: International Journal of Visual Design (Journal) 2024
Visiting an external academic institution: Binus 2018
Examination: External Examiner 2013

I initially trained and was employed as a medical illustrator (saw some sights, believe me) and needed something to settle the stomach but stir the soul. So, I migrated to Graphic Design and worked with various agencies across the UK as a Graphic Designer, in 2004 I emigrated to New Zealand with my family to lecture in Graphic Design, and to engage with other challenges and cultures.

On a personal pastime front (when I can find the time), I enjoy most things with an M it would seem, Magic, Motorbikes and Martial Arts.

OK so here’s the official bit…I have been awarded 6 international D&AD lecturer awards, for student projects and have an active research profile that includes exhibitions, book authorship, published papers/articles and publication design. I returned to the UK in August 2011 to continue the lecturing/research role at the School of Design here at Northumbria University, Newcastle. I am an external examiner and co-run the BINUS Fashion and Graphic Design Degree in Indonesia. I am currently studying for my PhD in the field of Branding and conflict.