Special Collections Catalogue

Grunwick 50: Visual Design and the Archive

Overview

Permission granted by the artist, Dan Jones.

This student design placement was developed in collaboration with Special Collections and tutors from the Illustration and Animation and Graphic Design course (DN6045 - Work Ready Level 6), to support our Grunwick 50 display on the Ground Floor of the Holloway Learning Centre.

Over a two-week period, during April 2026, five students were invited to produce original design work in response to archival material from the Grunwick dispute (1976-1978). The outcomes form part of the display and will also be shared on the Special Collections catalogue.

The placement combined research, design development, and professional practice within a structured, client-led framework.

The Project

Students worked with material from the TUC Library Collections, including press cuttings, flyers, and posters documenting the Grunwick strike.

The aim was to translate these archival sources into contemporary visual responses that:

  • Engage current audiences
  • Reflect the historical significance of the dispute
  • Maintain accuracy and sensitivity to the original context

Designs were expected to integrate text and visual elements drawn directly from the archive, while remaining accessible and relevant to a student audience.

Approach

The placement followed a structured workflow designed to reflect professional practice:

  • Brief and induction. Students were introduced to the exhibition, archive materials, and project expectations.
  • Concept development. Initial ideas and rough designs were developed over several days of independent work.
  • Review and feedback. Drafts were presented for feedback, with a focus on clarity, relevance, and visual communication.
  • Refinement. Students revised their work in response to feedback, working within defined constraints to simulate real-world conditions.
  • Final delivery. Completed designs were prepared for print and display, alongside mock-ups demonstrating their application within the exhibition space.

Focus and Values

The project emphasised:

  • Engagement with primary sources as a starting point for creative work.
  • Inclusive and respectful representation of historical narratives.
  • Student-led interpretation, encouraging individual perspectives.
  • Clear communication, balancing visual impact with factual accuracy.
  • Care was taken to avoid stereotypes and ensure that the work remained grounded in the realities of the archive.

Outcomes

Each student produced a final design outcome installed within the display. These works extend the visibility of the Grunwick strike by connecting archival material with contemporary design practice.

The placement also contributes to ongoing efforts by Special Collections to broaden access to its holdings and encourage new forms of engagement with historical material.

Reflection

As part of the placement, students will produce a short reflective piece considering their experience of working with archival sources.

This will focus on how access to primary material influenced their design decisions, and the value of engaging directly with historical records in shaping creative practice.