Mr Carl Morgan

Carl Morgan is a dynamic figure in the Newcastle art and design community, known for his expertise in illustration and graphic design. As an enduring faculty member in the School of Creative Industries, Carl brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to his role as Associate Lecturer in the field of Visual Communication.

Academic pursuits led Carl to the University of Newcastle, where he obtained his Honours degree in Visual Communication (Graphic Design) and a Masters degree, where his research centred around Hand Rendering Techniques in Contemporary Graphic Design. This, in turn, has helped to inform his practice, combining both traditional and digital techniques to further enhance stronger and more versatile methods of visual communication.

Carl's exploration of the world of design and illustration began with an inherent fascination with visual language and learning. Well-practiced in developing engaging works with clarity and punch, he has collaborated on projects alongside influential companies and organisations including Newcastle City Council, Paramount Music, Optus, Grill'd, University of Newcastle, and Hunter Water.

With a keen devotion to see research represented and communicated through visual means, Carl has collaborated as a designer on numerous research projects, helping to bring dimension and tangibility to investigative outcomes and ideas through image and visual structure. These projects include academic led projects and student focused projects, with impactful results.

Transitioning into the role of an educator, Carl drew upon his industry experience to facilitate an immersive learning environment characterised by critical thinking and creative exploration. An advocate for student-industry connections, Carl co-developed a series of design conferences, interactive workshops, exhibitions, and associated events under the title of Look Hear Creative Festival. Look Hear events attracted great fanfare, publicity and high attendance rates which inspired the University of Newcastle to form a community partnership with the event organisers. Their working relationship promoted design and image-making as a powerful communication and educational resource. From 2009 until 2016 Look Hear promoted relationships within the design community by facilitating invaluable opportunities for students and graduates to interact with professionals in the creative fields and gain insight and feedback from some of Australia's best-known creatives.

Carl's first foray into exhibition curation began with Look Hear's sister exhibition, Look See, which Over the years, UoN (University of Newcastle) has often hosted Look See events. Watt Space allowed a place for industry and student artists to have live art battles which drew large and passionate crowds. These events advanced industry and community engagement. Carl has used the experience from managing these exhibitions to instruct students on how to select and display their work in events, helping them to convey the power of design to clients and the public. Carl employs a multifaceted approach to teaching, leveraging experience, theoretical discourse, and practical application to cultivate a nuanced understanding of visual communication among his students. As a teacher and lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Carl is committed to nurturing the potential of his students and empowering them as visual communicators by providing engaging lectures, constructive classes, and facilitating access to industry professionals.

STUDIO ZED

Alongside Dr Simone O'Callaghan, Carl manages Studio Zed, an annual summer course, operating to provide real-life client and studio experience to students. Over these months, he coaches and mentors students in various industry skills ranging from project management, to liaisons with clients, to putting on professional presentations. He works closely with students, teaching them studio practices, industry standard software, pricing and contracts. In addition to his role as an educator, Carl remains actively involved in the Newcastle art and design community, collaborating with local artists, designers, and organisations to promote creative innovation in the region. His fervour for nurturing a vibrant and inclusive creative environment motivates his work both inside and outside the classroom.