Dr Robyn Cook
MA Communication Design: Senior Lecturer & Course Leader
My research is focused on (inter alia) critical pedagogy, epistemology, & ethics in design & design education.
Since 2016, I have developed & led the MA Communication Design at Falmouth University — a transdisciplinary, transformative postgraduate programme.
Prior to that, I taught at the University of Johannesburg where I developed the studio curriculum for the BA (Hons) Graphic Design postgraduate programme.
My teaching is informed by my experience as an art director & graphic designer for various agencies including Ogilvy & OgilvyAction.
I also co-run Sober & Lonely an artist-run space, a sci-fi feminist library, a running club, & whatever else you want it to be.
For a complete résumé (committees, press, publications, exhibitions, grants, residencies); to collaborate; discuss being Sober & Lonely; or anything else, feel free to get in touch.
External Links
Qualifications
Qualifications
| Year | Qualification | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | DPhil Visual Art | University of Pretoria |
| 2011 | MA Fine Art | Wits University |
| 2009 | BA Fine Art (Hons) | Wits University |
| 2001 | N.Dip Graphic Design | Wits Technikon |
Honors and awards
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2015 | NRF Thuthuka Research Grant, National Research Foundation: South Africa |
| 2015 | FRC Creative Production Award, University of Johannesburg: South Africa |
| 2014 | NRF Thuthuka Research Grant, National Research Foundation: South Africa |
| 2014 | FRC Creative Production Award, University of Johannesburg: South Africa |
| 2010 | Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (scholarship): South Africa |
| 2010 | National Arts Council of South Africa (scholarship): South Africa |
| 2009 | Brait-Everard Award Johannesburg: South Africa |
| 2009 | Anya Millman Travel Scholarship, University of the Witwatersrand: South Africa |
Membership of external committees
International Society of Typographic DesignersResearch Interests
Research Topics
- Critical Design
- Critical Pedagogy
- Ethics
- Participatory Design
Research Outputs
Publications and research outputs
-
Cook, Robyn and Sekyeong, Kwon
(2019), Speculating on the Future of Graphic Design in the Age of Intelligent Machines, In: Design and Semantics of From and Movement: DeSForM 2019 Beyond Intelligence, DeSForM, MIT, Samberg Center, 6th Floor, E52 MIT Campus. 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA 02139, pp. 262-266, ISSN: 2706-6150 -
Cook, Robyn
(2016), The Parking Gallery: Experimental practice and the artist-run initiative in South Africa, In: De Arte, Taylor & Francis, South Africa, 51 (1), pp. 57-73, ISSN: 0004-3389, Item availability may be restricted.
-
Cook, Robyn and Cook, Sue
(2019), Reflections on reflexivity and ethics for relational design and relational design pedagogy, Goldsmiths, University of London in partnership with The Glasgow School of Arts, (Submitted) -
Cook, Robyn
(2017), Design, critical pedagogy and supporting the student-led movement from within, In: The Graphic Design Educators’ Network 2017 Conference, 7—8 September 2017, The Graphic Design Educators’ Network 2017 Conference Ideas of Revolt: Stationing ideas of revolt within contemporary graphic design education Venue: Sheffield Institute of the Arts, Sheffield Hallam University -
Cook, Robyn
(2016), A crash course in empathy: Design Thinking 101, In: ACT Conference, 16 March 2016, Johannesburg, South Africa, (Unpublished) -
Cook, Robyn
(2013), Sober & Lonely: On generosity, artist-run platforms and new institutional strategies, In: SAVAH Conference, 5-8 September 2014, Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, South Africa
-
Cook, Robyn
(2019), Design Thinking, neoliberalism, and the trivialisation of social change in higher education, In: Standing Items: Critical pedagogies in South African art, design & architecture, Jacana Media, South Africa, pp. 12-26, ISBN: 978-1-928440-21-5
-
Cook, Robyn
(2018), What’s the point of an MA in design anyway?, In: What’s the point of an MA in design anyway?, It's Nice That, Online, ISSN: Online
Externally funded research grants information
| Collaborators | Currency | Funder | HESA Category | Project title | Value | Year ending | Year starting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Johannesburg |
Global Challenges Research Fund | Gender in Design | 2021 | 2018 |
Research Students
Current research students
Dwayne Roberts 'Unlearn to navigate crises: Toward a pedagogy of nothingness'
Sara Hougham-Slade 'A practice-based enquiry on weight and correlative movement through non-digital ‘Haptic Illustrative Devices’ as textual aids for neurodiverse individuals'
Tamarin Harvey 'Using a social care model to introduce digital technology into a care home to enhance resident wellbeing'
Kelly Parker 'Blackout: A phenomenological study of stereotypes and misrepresentation in contemporary UK Linear TV Advertising on Black UK Audiences'
Teaching
Courses taught
- MA Communication Design
- BA(Hons) Graphic Design
Professional Engagement
Independent professional practice
Selected Exhibitions (2013-Present)
2020 ...she finds not her sum but her differences: a project in parts, Gallery Gallery, Johannesburg: South Africa (Curators: Chloë Reid & Sara-Aimee Verity)
2016 The New Biennial, Botkyrka Konsthall, Fittja, Sweden (Curator: Abir Boukhari).
2015 Concerted Efforts, West Gallery, Melbourne, Australia (Curators: Sam McCulloch & Christopher Williams Wynn).
2014 Hisk Show, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Curators: Clare Butcher & Christina Li).
2014 Gesture, GUS Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa (Curator: Lucy Turpin).
2013 Les Salons Dus Salon, The Island, Chaussée de Wavre 155, Brussels, Belgium (Curator: Devrim Bayar).
2013 The Space Between Us, Courtesy, 73 Rue Anselm Saint Ouen, Paris, France (Curator: Ana Iwataki).
2013 Transcontinental Express, Museum Perron Oost, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Curators: Clare Butcher & Lot van Gelder).
2013 My Voice Will Now Appear in Another Part of the Room, Joshua Tree, USA (Curator: Anna Astrand)* 2013 Precognito / Incognito, Santa Monica Museum of Art, USA (Benefit auction).
2013 Devil's Heaven, Watermill Centre, New York, USA (Benefit auction).
Curated Partnerships (2013-Present)
2015 Something to Come Later with Samantha McCulloch & Christopher Williams Wynn, S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2015 Ridder & Thirst with Abri De Swart, S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 Year End Function with Jon Bernad, Robyn Nesbitt, Nina Barnett & Piya Wangthiang, S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 None Sights & Tasty Ceilings with Anna Astrand, S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 Astrological Gastronomy. S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 The Unfailing Table with Anna Romanenko & Bjorn Kühn. S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 A view of the moon with Robyn Nesbitt. S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 Imaginary Appetites with James Webb. S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 Artshakes with SmallSips (Karin Tan & Sky Quadling). S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 Next time when you hear with Malose Kadromatt Malahlella. S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2014 Futures, S&L, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2013 A Dag Van Kunst, SYB Kunsthuis, Beesterzwaag, Netherlands.
2013 An Experiment to Test the Destiny of the World, Ithuba Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa.
