Art college appoints head of design

THE NEW head of design at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin is Alex Milton, a Londoner who originally trained as a car designer. He replaces Prof Angela Woods, who retired last December, and will take up his appointment in April.

A self-described designer, researcher, educator and writer, Mr Milton graduated from Coventry University with an honours degree in industrial design in 1994, and has taught at the University of Dundee, Edinburgh Napier University and Central St Martins in London.

He is former head of design and applied arts at Edinburgh College of Art, which merged with the University of Edinburgh last August. His design for a wooden sportscar was a Caterham Cars Super Seven winner. Currently deputy head of school and director of research at the school of textiles at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, he founded the Claystation design collective which was exhibited in London and Milan. He has written and contributed to books and publications on design.

“This is a very significant position for us,” said director of the college Declan McGonagle, “because we are reconsidering course structures in the college not just because of changing economic circumstances, but to take account of the changing education landscape and needs of our graduates.

“Design is central to this, as are new ethical, sustainable and universal approaches to it. Alex brings the wide experience of design and education that we need at the moment in a period of great change in the college.”