Philip Thomas is a Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design at Swansea Metropolitan University. His teaching practice draws upon fifteen years of professional design experience, working for a varied client base including Penguin Books, Ticketmaster, Thomas Telford Ltd., Macmillan Publishing, Nescafe, Renault and the National Youth Music Theatre. He has won a coveted GF Smith Paper - Excellence in Print award and continues to work in a freelance capacity. In parallel with a graphic design career, he has exhibited his paintings in solo and group shows throughtout the country. His work has been shown at Plumbline Gallery in St.Ives, Artspace and at the national Eisteddfod of Wales. His paintings have been selected twice for the Young Wales at the Royal Cambrian Academy and he has shown at the 20th Century British Art fair, represented by Gordon Hepworth Fine art.

Research Statement

Both research and practice for Phil`s MA Visual Communication - Contemporary Dialogues, examines the question of visual authority. This exploration has suggested the potential hybrid of fine and applied art. In this visually exciting and liberating space, Phil hopes to find exhibiting and publishing opportunities for this genre of work.

Phil`s collaborative SATnet project has seen him partner with Cultech, a researcher and manufacturer of nutritional supplements. Phil is making an experimental response to a commercial design task, which endeavours to sell a range of products online, predominantly to the US market. It is hoped that the outcome will challenge the dogmatic aesthetic of these types of product whilst retaining a degree of commercial viability in a highly competitive marketplace.