Just before Easter 1988, less than two years after completing my education, I received a phone call from the course leader. Had I forgotten to hand something in I wondered? No. There was a post for a typography tutor and would I be interested in applying for it? You must be kidding? I thought. It was one of those times in your life when you have to take a deep breath and bite the bullet - hoping that it won't explode when you do.
Lecturer in Graphic Design,
National Diploma,
Blackpool & The Fylde College
In no time at all I was thrown into a classroom and left to fend for myself, knees aquiver! But I soon settled in and began to realise how rewarding and enjoyable teaching was. The specific role of typography lecturer very quickly became (and then remained) a more general graphic design role.
Teaching 2 days a week I was now half lecturer, half small businessman! I liked that balance and always felt it was important to keep connected with the industry.
So throughout my 15 years at the college I maintained this arrangement.
Career break
I continued teaching at Blackpool & The Fylde College even after relocating to Nottingham in 2001. However the cost of travel became too much to cope with and so I made the very difficult decision to leave in July 2003. I hope to go back into teaching at some point in the future.
© Phil Street 2004