David Grimshaw
Deputy Head of Design
David Grimshaw is Deputy Head of Design, and was previously Subject Lead for MA/MSc Product Design, MA/MSc Craft, and Programme Leader for BA(Hons) 3-dimensional Design, the course he graduated from in 1989.
Basing himself in Manchester, David established a successful career as a freelance design consultant, developing products for the contract furniture market, and designing ranges for top end UK manufactures such as Viaduct, Allermuir and Davison Highley. He was heavily involved in supporting emerging design talent from the north west, working with The Liverpool & Manchester Design Initiative to curate and design stands to promote the of work of Northwest designers and makers, at national and international design shows and fairs.
David returned to Manchester School of Art in 1997 to teach, whilst continuing to practice as a design consultant. However, more recently his design focus has turned to research, informed by his professional practice as a material led designer for manufacture, and his teaching across craft and production design programmes. He is currently investigating the relationship of digital design & manufacturing, with the materials and processes of craft making, and has been invited to present his research at conferences both nationally and internationally.
David brings over 25 years of practice and teaching knowledge within production design, manufacturing and making, to inform the current debate on the importance of materiality to product design and object making, and the sustainability and application of contemporary craft approaches within digital production design practices.
In his previous role as International Lead for Design, David developed a wide range of international academic partnerships that are central the Design Department's international learning experience. Students from across the globe now study Design at Manchester, and all our students enjoy taking part in international collaborative projects with partner intuitions from around the world.
David's academic expertise is often called upon by other institutions, and he has undertaken roles as external examiner, academic validator and reviewer for courses at University of Northampton, Sint Lucas University Eindhoven, Northumbria University, Loughborough University, York St. John University, and NAFA Singapore.
Projects
KTP Project - (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) : Halo Furnishings
DTI funded project of MMU in partnership with Halo Furnishings. Project aims to introduce a design management structure and new contemporary furniture ranges into a local furniture manufacturing company. Details…
Research
David Grimshaw is a member of the Design Research Hub.
Exhibitions
Grimshaw, D., 2018. Crafting the Digital : an investigation into material and process led digital making, 13/11/2018 - 15/12/2018.
Grimshaw, D.V., 2016. Crafts Council - Make:shift conference 2016, Manchester Museum of Science & Industry, 10/11/2016.
Kettle, A.M., Brown, V., Grimshaw, D., Egan, K., Cocchiarella, F., 2014. A Place at the Table, 25/11/2014 - 18/1/2015.
Grimshaw, D., 2013. The Language of Process - How New Materials and Technologies are changing Product Design, Special Collections - Manchester Metropolitan University, Sept - Dec 2013.
Webb, J., 2011. Pairings, MMU Special Collections, Otter Gallery Chichester, Fairfield Mill, Cumbria, September 2010 -.
Grimshaw, D., 2009. Eco Design Show, Crypt Hall, The Liverpool Metropolitan Catherdral, October 2009.
O'Neill, CJ, 2007. Make Me, Timber Wharf, Manchester, Nov 2006.
Grimshaw, D., 2007. Make Me Shop, Triangle Shopping Centre, Manchester, December 2007.
Grimshaw, D., 2006. Make Me - Urban Splash Apartment, Timber Wharf, Manchester, November 2006.
Grimshaw, D., 2006. Six - LMDI at 100% Design, Earls Court 2, London, July 2006.
O'Neill, CJ, 2006. Top Notch, Lighthouse, Glasgow, Jan 2006.
Grimshaw, D., 2006. Top Notch, Glasgow, Lighthouse, Glasgow, March - May 2006.
Grimshaw, D., 2005. Top Notch - LMDI at 100% Design, Earls Court, London, Sept 2005.
Grimshaw, D., 2004. LMDI at Designers Block, The Farmiloes Building, Farringdon, London, Sept 2004.
Grimshaw, D., 2004. Spectrum - Nomique, Commonwealth Institute, London, April 2004.
Grimshaw, D., 2003. LMDI at Designers Block, The Tea Building, Shoreditch, London, Sept 2003.
Grimshaw, D., 2003. LMDI at Designers Block, Milan, Designers Block, Milan, Italy, April 2003.
Artefacts
Grimshaw, D., 2018. 'Digital Generation of CNC Router Surface Patterns'.
Grimshaw, D.V., 2016. 'Multi-elliptical bowl 2016', Manchester.
Grimshaw, D.V., 2014. 'Homage to David Pye', Manchester.
Grimshaw, D., 2011. 'Why do objects look the way they do?', Educational handling collection for Manchester Art Gallery, for use in workshops by teachers and students, Manchester Art Gallery.
Grimshaw, D., 2004. '"Barca" range of reception and side chairs - Nomique Furniture', Range of metal upholstered reception & side chairs, plus matching occasional tables., May 2004.
Grimshaw, D., 2004. '"Fireplace concepts" - Richmond Cabinets', Range of fireplace surrounds designed for mid-range home improvement market sector., Feb 2004.
Grimshaw, D., 2003. '"Inspiral" range of wooden tub chairs - Nomique Furniture', Range of upholstered tub chairs, plus matching occasional tables., Sept 2003.
Grimshaw, D., 2003. '"Modular" reception seating - ACF Office Seating', Modular range of upholstered contract reception seating, plus matching occasional tables., Feb 2003.
Grimshaw, D., 2002. 'Task Chair concept - Nomique Furniture', Concept design for high-end task chair., March 2002.
Grimshaw, D., 2001. '"Coby" range of chairs - Berry Chairs', Range of wooden chairs abnd tables designed for Berry Chairs., Jan 2001.
Grimshaw, D., 2001. '"Dip Table" - designed for "onetree" exhibition', One-off table constructed of oak sawdust and resin, designed and made for "Onetree" exhibition., Purchased by Manchester Art Gallery for its "Made in Manchester" collection., Aug 2001.
Grimshaw, D., 2000. 'Design Consultancy: selected work to 1990 - 2000'.
Books
Grimshaw, D., 2001. '"onetree", Merrell', Merrell Publishers Ltd, London.
Journal Articles
Grimshaw, D.V., 2017. 'Crafting the Digital: Developing expression and materiality within digital design and manufacture', The Design Journal: An International Journal for All Aspects of Design, 20 (Supplement 1), pp. s3735-3748.
Blakey, S., 2011. 'A Lull in the Conversation', Ceramic Review, Issue 249, Page 50.
Grimshaw, D., 2006. '"Future Proof", newdesign', newdesign, issue 41 - 2006, 52-56.
Grimshaw, D., 2005. '"A Northern Soul", Mix Interiors', Mix Interiors, March 2005, 50-54.
Grimshaw, D., 2002. '"Design for Living", Independent on Sunday', The Sunday Review, 16th July 2002.
Conference Papers
Grimshaw, D.V., Boydell, S., 2017. 'Object Lessons: what is the value of engaging with the physical object within design research and education, evaluated through the application of the "Material & Process Innovation Collection", at Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections.', International Association of Societies of Design Research, University of Cincinnati, 31/10/2017 - 3/11/2017.
Grimshaw, D.V., 2016. '"Learning from Music" - Opportunities for creative craft knowledge to translate the idealised perfection of the virtual, into the expressive materiality of reality.', Canadian Craft Biennial - Can Craft? Craft Can!, 14/9/2017 - 17/9/2017.
Presentations
Grimshaw, D., 2016. 'Make:Shift - Crafts Council Conference', Manchester Museum of Science & Industry.
Grimshaw, D., 2015. 'Digital Making - A Future for Materiality in a Digital World', Guest Lecture to staff and students of Lincoln University, Lincoln University, April 2015.
Grimshaw, D., 2012. 'The Chair - Storey Gallery: Lancaster', Guest Presentation to accompany "The Chair" exhibition, Storey Gallery - Lancaster, March 2012.
Grimshaw, D., 2011. 'Tools for the 21st Century Workshop', Northern Contemporary Furniture Makers Gathering, Manchester Metropolitan University, October 2011.
Grimshaw, D., 2006. '"How to establish a KTP Project", Manchester Metropolitan University', "You should get out more" Conference, Manchester Metropolitan University, May 17th 2006.
Grimshaw, D., 2005. '"What is Three Dimensional Design?", Whitworth Art Gallery', Lecture to invited school teachers as part of exhibition/lecture programme, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, March 2005.
Other Outputs
Grimshaw, D., 2006. '"Make Me" Manchester - Liverpool & Manchester Design Initiative'.
Grimshaw, D., 2006. 'KTP Project - (Knowledge Transfer Partnership)', DTI funded project to introduce a design management structure and new contemporary furniture ranges into a local furniture manufacturing company.