Contact
Unit F8, Cell Northside Studios
23–27 Arcola Street
London, E8 2DJ

mail: studio@martinmcgrath.com
twitter: @martimcgrath
instagram: @martimcgrath

Martin McGrath Studio is a design practice based in London with a focus on exhibition design and the creative direction for physical and digital environments. Working mostly with museums, galleries and cultural institutions, the practice is concerned with developing creative, thoroughly researched and effective design solutions that prioritise content narratives and place the audience’s needs at the centre of the design process. We believe that good work is made by developing respectful relationships with clients and collaborators, which support honest, productive and critical dialogue.

We are interested in projects of all scales and often collaborate with specialist practitioners such as; illustrators, creative technologists, writers, programmers, etc., to expand and meet project requirements. Recent projects include a new permanent gallery for the Science Museum; exhibitions and campaigns for Wellcome Collection that explore health, architecture and museological systems; along with blockbuster shows such as Rembrandt: The Late Works, Beyond Caravaggio, and Monet & Architecture for The National Gallery.

Clients and collaborators include
Artangel
British Council
Central Saint Martins
Crafts Council
Design Museum, London
DHA Lighting
Giles Round
Gitta Gschwendtner
Goldsmiths College, London
Historic Royal Palaces
Imperial War Museum (North)
King’s Cultural Institute
Korean Cultural Centre London
Michael Takeo Magruder
Mowat & Co
muf architecture/art
Museum of London
Museum of the Home
NHS (GSTT Trust)
Royal College of Art
Sam Ashby
Science Museum, London
Sister Arrow
Southampton City Council
Studio ZNA
Suzy Wood
The British Library
The National Gallery, London
The National Archives (UK)
Victoria & Albert Museum
Wellcome Collection

Workshops, Talks, Exhibitions & Events
Martin has given talks and delivered workshops internationally on design methods and his design practice and has participated in various events and exhibitions, some of which are listed below.

︎︎︎ What Design Can Do... A two-day workshop at CMCM, leather School in Montréal. The workshop – designed for the local artisans – explored the applications of design thinking to artisanal practices. CMCM, Montréal, Canada. October 2012.

︎︎︎ Guest speaker at RIPP, McGill University, Law Faculty. Discussing design practice, collaboration and intellectual property. Montréal, Canada. October 2012.

︎︎︎ Class Portrait. A drawing and animation workshop for the public as part of Late Shift Extra at the National Portrait Gallery, 2012.

︎︎︎ Image & Meaning. A four-day workshop with MA Communication Design students at ESAD Porto. The workshop explored editing, controlling and arranging the image. Portugal, Dec 2010.

︎︎︎ UK?OK!! / Hello UK Graphics An exhibition and public talk at ParcoFactory, curated by Japanese publisher Rocket. The exhibition reviewed Graphic Design in the UK from 1980–2010. (as Wood McGrath) Tokyo, Japan. Aug 2010.

︎︎︎ Magazine Design (workshop) — 21CC@BBC. Working with local college groups to explore editorial and magazine design ideas in relation to personal interests. BBC, London and Manchester, June & Nov 2009.

︎︎︎ V&A Think Tank — The Future Object. Presentation of the digital gift and workshop as part of a Victoria & Albert Museum event that explored archival practices and future collecting, V&A 2008.

︎︎︎ London: City of Disappearances. A moving-image interpretation of Iain Sinclair’s book of the same name. In collaboration with Susanna Edwards and Katharina Koall, the video took a nonlinear approach to illustrating chosen sections of the text. Shown at Late at Tate and various book launch events. 2006

︎︎︎ Public Address System. A2 letterpress poster shown as part of an exhibition of poster speeches. In collaboration with Susanna Edwards. Henry Peacock Gallery London, 2003.

Current
︎︎︎ Associate Lecturer
BA Graphic Communication Design
Central Saint Martins, UAL
2005–present

︎︎︎ Associate Lecturer (0.2)
MA Visual Communication Programme
Royal College of Art 
2016–present

Previous
︎︎︎ Unit Leader
MA Design Communication & Technology
Ravensbourne University London
2021

︎︎︎ Course Leader, Illustration Workshop
Short Courses, Central Saint Martins, UAL
2003–18

︎︎︎ Visiting Practitioner
Foundation Art & Design
Ravensbourne University London
2012–13

︎︎︎ Visiting Practitioner
BA Graphic Design
UCA Epsom
2010

︎︎︎ Acting Head of Illustration
BA Graphic Design
Central Saint Martins, UAL, London
2006 (fixed-term cover)

︎︎︎ Sessional Lecturer
BA Graphic Communication
UCA Farnham (SIAD at the time)
2006–8.

Alongside the studio’s activity, Martin has worked in Higher Education since 2005, teaching design, visual communication and illustration at various UK institutions. As a tutor, he is particularly interested in pedagogic methods that support the development of self-directed study and authorial practices. Current research interests include; queering the academy, spatialising narrative, and exploring dialogic spaces that enable counter-narratives to surface.

In 2019 he collaborated with Professor Carole Collet and Kate Keara Pelen at Central Saint Martins to design and deliver Designing in Turbulent Times, a London Design Festival exhibition showcasing 28 graduate projects that offer compelling and disruptive propositions for more sustainable and equitable futures.