Dr Iain Macdonald

Biography
Dr Iain Macdonald is Associate Professor and previous Head of Department of Design Innovation. Previously at Edinburgh Napier University as Associate Professor he held the post of Subject Group Leader Design • Photography • Advertising, Programme Leader MSc Creative Advertising and taught on the multi-award winning BDes (Hons) Graphic Design programme. He has also held the posts of Associate Dean Design and Screen at London College of Communication, University of the Arts London.
His current research activity is focused on HPV vaccine awareness using STEAM workshops in post-primary settings, and a book on the BBC Motion Graphics Archive. He has over 25 years of creative industry experience as an award winning television graphic designer at BBC Television, and as a film and commercials director at The Moving Picture Company.
Since 2010 he has worked as a research academic using film and photography to document and examine design pedagogy, art practice and community co-design in the UK and internationally in Mozambique.
He is on the Editorial Committee for the International Journal of Art and Design Education.
He is on the Editorial Committee for the International Journal of Art and Design Education.
Research Interests
Iain is currently
working as a co-PI on an intersectoral, international and interdisciplinary project using STEAM workshops to raise HPV vaccine awareness in schools. Recent research
collaborations have taken him to Mozambique to develop co-designed health
education communication with UNICEF partners and research students.
He is published in the research fields of
motion graphic design, immersive
storytelling, intercultural competency,
co-design and design pedagogy.
Research Projects
Book
Year | Publication | |
---|---|---|
2016 | Macdonald I. (2016) Hybrid practices in moving image design: Methods of heritage and digital production in motion graphics. [DOI] |
Book Chapter
Year | Publication | |
---|---|---|
2016 | Macdonald, I., MacLeod, M. (2016) 'Developing intercultural competencies and new perspectives on graphic design pedagogy through international volunteering' In: Innovations in Learning and Teaching. Edinburgh : Merchiston Publishing. [Link] [Full-Text] |
Peer Reviewed Journal
Year | Publication | |
---|---|---|
2022 | Macdonald, I., Malone, E., Firth, R. (2022) 'How can scientists and designers find ways of working together? A case study of playful learning to co-design visual interpretations of immunology concepts'. Studies in Higher Education, . [Link] https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.2020745 [Full-Text] | |
2021 | Macdonald, I (2021) 'Window on the weather: a case study in multi-platform visual communication design, with a relationship to Design Thinking'. Visual Communication, . [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2018 | Macdonald I.; MacLeod M. (2018) 'Design Education without Borders: How Students Can Engage with a Socially Conscious Pedagogy as Global Citizens'. International Journal of Art and Design Education, 37 (2):312-324. [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2018 | Macdonald, I., MacLeod, M. (2018) 'Learning from the Locals: how can co-design support malaria education in a post-colonial environment?'. 2 (1). [DOI] | |
2015 | Macdonald, I (2015) 'Designing to Engage a Television Audience: how are different media used in tv ident creation?'. 5 (2). [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2014 | Macdonald I. (2014) 'Cultural change in the creative industries: A case study of BBC graphic design from 1990-2011'. Visual Communication, 13 (1):31-49. [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2012 | Macdonald I. (2012) 'Why Throw the Negs Out with the Bathwater? A Study of Students' Attitudes to Digital and Film Photographic Media'. International Journal of Art and Design Education, 31 (2):191-211. [DOI] [Full-Text] |
Conference Publication
Year | Publication | |
---|---|---|
2022 | Macdonald, I; Healy, C; Firth, R; Malone, E; McDermott, A. (2022) CUMULUS Design for Climate Adaptation Using STEAM to Power Equality and Democracy in Vaccination Decision Making in the Face of Climate Apartheid | |
2017 | Macdonald, I., MacLeod, M. (2017) Design 4 Health Developing intercultural competencies and new perspectives on graphic design pedagogy through international volunteering [Full-Text] | |
2015 | Macdonald, I., MacLeod, M. (2015) DRS CUMULUS International Design Educators How can design education develop intercultural competencies for professional practice and global citizenship? Milan, Italy, | |
2013 | Macdonald, I. (2013) DRS CUMULUS International Design Educators Digital gardens with real toads in them: the place of heritage media in a digital art and design education |
Conference Contribution
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.
Teaching Interests
My greatest achievements have been my students, many
have won international awards, including a D&AD Black Pencil, and a large
majority are employed in the creative industries achieving their dreams from
Leith to London, New York to New Delhi. I have taught across both the award
winning MSc Creative Advertising and BDes (Hons) and MA Graphic Design
programmes at Edinburgh Napier University drawing on my professional expertise
in motion graphic design and directing commercials.
My particular interests in design pedagogy are focussed on interdisciplinary working, industry engagement, and enhancing learning through virtual spaces, networks and multimedia.