ABOUT
I’m Carl Middleton, a graphic designer / typographer supporting ambitious businesses build brands with purpose, clarity and conviction. This means smart strategic thinking, beautifully crafted design – manifest accurately and intelligently.
Having spent over two decades working for some of the largest cultural institutions in London, for some of the world’s biggest galleries, I decided it was time to focus on what I feel really counts, making positive work, with positive people, in a better more balanced way and with a little more fresh air. I run an independent graphic design, brand and design consultancy previously based in London, now relocated and nestled within a beautiful rural landscape on the edge of Exmoor.
I feel the best work comes through understanding, collaboration and time – and having the right people around the right table. So, I work very closely with my clients and where needed involve a team of highly experienced strategists, designers, writers and developers – hand-picked specifically for each project.
Brand strategy / In-depth brand audits / Brand architecture / Brand narrative / Naming / Brand identity / Digital design / Print and packaging / Art direction / Editorial design / Environmental graphics / Way-finding / Liveries / Brand guardianship / Type design / Typography
If you are working on a project, event, product or even a document and need some design help please feel free to get in contact.
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Clients include:
Architectural Thread Ltd – BBC – British Council – British Library – Buckland Timber – Cannon UK – Close House Ltd – Cottrell & Vermeulen Architects Ltd – Dartington Trust – Design Council – Green Biofuels Ltd – Hackney Borough Council – Holton Lee – House of Fraser – Kerrier District Council – Kettering Borough Council – London College of Communication – Institute of Contemporary Arts – London Borough of Barking and Dagenham – Metropolitan University – Muf Architecture / Art – National Portrait Gallery – North Devon Plus – Onset Art – Paul Mellon Centre – Royal Institute of British Architects – Tate Britain – Tate Modern – Somerset Art Works – Southwark District Council – University of East London – Victoria & Albert Museum –
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MA Typo/graphic Studies – London College of Printing
BA (Combined Hons) Graphic Arts / History of Art – Cambridge School of Art
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ACADEMIC
I have lectured widely on design history, typography and communication at a range of educational and cultural institutes including:
Cambridge School of Art
London College of Communication (formerly London College of Printing)
Petroc
Plymouth University
Portsmouth University
Royal College of Art (London)
Solent University (Southampton)
Somerset College of Arts and Technology (Taunton)
Tsinghua University (Beijing – China)
University of Reading
University of East London (Docklands campus)
University of the West of England (UWE)
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2022: IMPACT 12 – International Printmaking Conference (University of the West of England).
Paper: Print Shops and Communities – The United in Isolation Initiative. https://cfpr.uwe.ac.uk/impactconference12/
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2022: Grafikverkstan Godsmagasinet (GG Studio, Uttersberg, Sweden).
Presentation: Material Culture – the relationship of material to the creative process. Supported by the Swedish Arts Council and Galleri Astley.
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2019 – 2024: Pressing Matters Magazine.
Continual contribution to editorial – letterpress workers / United in Isolation / Rick Griffiths. https://www.pressingmattersmag.com/
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EXHIBITED WORKS / ARTIST RESIDENCY
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2024: Nordic Letterpress Network – research and artist residency – Viborg, Denmark.
Working with ‘hot metal’ and Linotype composition. Following a circular sustainable process of melting, casting and printing. Collaborating with letterpress printers, designers and academics from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the UK, responding to the theme of ‘broken language’
https://www.vingaards-officin.dk/
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2023: Nordic Letterpress Network – research and artist residency – Jacobstad, Finland
Week long collaboration with letterpress printers, designers and academics from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the UK, responding to the theme of ‘reunion’. Further development of the Nordic Letterpress Network.
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2022 / 23: Shadow and Light – University of Iowa (December to April).
Part of a larger project called, Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here (formed in 2007) as a book arts response to the car-bombing of al-Mutanabbi Street (the street of the booksellers) in Baghdad, Iraq. For further information: https://www.arabartsfestival.com/al-mutanabbi-street-starts-here-home/.
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2022: INK + PRINT – Ace Arts (The Old Town Hall, Somerton TA11 7NB).
The second group exhibition of letterpress, Riso, linocut and screen printed works by Jo Norman, Gemma Trickey and Carl Middleton.
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2022: Open Print Exchange.
International ‘open print exchange’ contributed by 339 printmakers. Initiative established by the Open Press Project (Martin Schneider and Dominik Schmitz) making printmaking more accessible by sharing resources. https://openprintexchange.com/
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2022: International Letterpress Collaboration – Grafikverkstan Godsmagasinet (Sweden)
Research and artist residency with the support of the Swedish Arts Council – focussing on hand typesetting and letterpress printing. Following the themes of ‘recovery’ and ‘repair’. Supported by Galeri Astley – Uttersberg (Sweden). https://cfpr.uwe.ac.uk/project/international-letterpress-collaboration-finland-norway-sweden-uk/
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2022: INK + PRINT – Bridgwater Arts Centre (11-13 Castle Street TA6 3DD).
The first group exhibition of letterpress, Riso, linocut screen printed works by Jo Norman, Gemma Trickey and Carl Middleton.
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2021: From Futura to the Future – International Letterpress Workers – Museum für Druckkunst (Leipzig, Germany).
Retrospective exhibition documenting eight years of collaborative printing by attendees of the Letterpress Workers Summit (LPW). https://www.druckkunst-museum.de/en/event/from-futura-to-the-future.html
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2021: Restricted – Clayhill Arts (Charlynch Lane, Bridgwater TA5 2PH).
A group exhibition taking its inspiration from ‘mail art’ – displayed within the confines of a series of letterpress type cases – funded by the Arts Council (UK). https://www.clayhillarts.co.uk/restriction-an-online-exhibition/
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2020: United in Isolation – an online letterpress community.
Part of a team of volunteers supporting a series of free on-line studio tours (between 18th April and 20th June). United in Isolation then evolved into Letterpress United.
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2020: Reverting to Type / Protest posters – Stanpoint Gallery (45 Coronet Street, London N1 6HD).
An international exhibition of letterpress protest posters – curated by New North Press. https://www.revertingtotype.com/
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2020: Stroud Wayzgoose – Stroud Brewery (London Rd, Brimscombe GL5 2BY).
Combined exhibition of letterpress works curated by The Gloucester Print Co-Operative.
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2019: A Show of Hands – Corsham Court (Church Street, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0BZ).
Exhibition of letterpress works incorporating the ‘printer’s fist’ – curated by Tim Jollands.
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2019: New Impressions – Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum (Wisconsin, USA).
Exhibition of contemporary letterpress printing – selected by Dafi Kühne, Mary Mashburn and Jessica Spring. https://woodtype.org/pages/new-impressions
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2018: While you were Sleeping – touring exhibition beginning at Leiden Book Fair (Pieterskerk).
International letterpress printed work – inspired by global news reportage. Original initiative and exhibition curation: Sara Burgess.
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2018: Absence and Presence (continued) – Artlitographic Museum (Tidaholm, Sweden).
Part of the ‘Al Mutanabbi Street Starts Here’ programme, curated by J.M. Schmidt.
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2018: New Impressions – Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum (Wisconsin, USA).
An exhibition of contemporary letterpress printing – selected by Macy Chadwick, David Wolske and Richard Zauft. https://woodtype.org/pages/new-impressions
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2017 – 18 – 19 – 22 – 23 – 24: Letterpress Workers Summit – Leoncavallo (Milan, Italy).
An annual international artist residency (by invitation only) celebrating type, print, letterpress and language. https://letterpressworkers.org/
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2016: Absence and Presence – Exeter Public Library (Castle Street EX4 3PQ).
A collection of work made by artists from around the world in response to the bombing of Al Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad, Iraq on the 5th March 2007.
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2013 to present: DaDa ist 100 – touring exhibition beginning in Gransee (Germany).
Contemporary letterpress printed works inspired by and celebrating one hundred years of the DaDa artist movement.
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2013 to present: Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here.
An international touring exhibition of hand made books and letterpress broadside – printed in support of the victims of the Al-Mulanabbi Street bombings in Baghdad.
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2012: Letter / Word / List – The White Space Gallery (Wellington Road, Taunton TA1 5AX).
A solo exhibition of work inspired by the culture of language and letterform.
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2011: Letterpress of Pray – Fukuoka and the Perhaps Gallery (Japan).
A group exhibition of letterpress printed works – with all proceeds benefiting the families and orphans of the tsunami.
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2011: Type Impressions – The Danish Media Museum (Sortebrødre Stræde, 5000 Odense, Denmark).
A group exhibition showcasing contemporary international approaches to letterpress printing.
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2011: Type / Script – Chapel Gallery (St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Liverpool L39 4QR).
A group exhibition exploring the way in which text shapes, informs and punctuates the analogue world.
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2010: Reverting to Type – Standpoint Gallery (45 Coronet Street, London N1 6HD).
An international exhibition showcasing contemporary approaches to letterpress printing – the exhibition bought together the work of over two hundred different print studios.
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2009: Text 2 – Bury Art Gallery and Museum (Moss Street, Bury, Manchester BL9 0DR).
A yearly text festival, bringing together language and art. Showcasing a range of approaches from applied fine art, digital media to concrete poetry. https://buryartmuseum.co.uk/
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1998: Canon – Tom Eckersley Gallery (London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle SE1 6SB).
An exhibition of experimental graphic work – generated by using only a colour photocopier – sponsored by Canon UK.
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1998: Experimental Typo /Graphic Design – London Graphics Centre (16 – 18 Sheldon Street WC2H 9JL).
An exhibition of experimental typo/graphic works spanning screen, print and sculptural form.
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1997: Mall Galleries (London SW1).
Graphic Arts – group exhibition.
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1995 / 96: Cambridge University Arts Society (Kings College, Cambridge CB2 1ST).
Group summer exhibition.
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+44 (0) 1823 401 302 / 07553 130 645
Studio B – Silver Street – Milverton TA4 1LA
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