Online Exhibition of DMU Prospectuses

prospectus

DMU Archives has a near-complete collection of prospectuses for the institution, beginning in 1897 (we are missing the years 1870-1896). These are an invaluable resource for information about course content, timetabling, administrative structure, student activities, the names of staff, and photographs of campus and classes. I also find them fascinating from a design perspective. Looking at them all in order is like travelling through a summary of twentieth century design and marketing history. Styles and tastes change, the presentation becomes more sophisticated, and the branding becomes more uniform. Although they always aim to grab attention whether through their lettering, bright colour or excellent photography.

prospectus 2

To showcase this, Archives volunteer David Freestone has been digitising the front covers of a selection of prospectuses which have now been uploaded into Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHskaCnYa9

This is the first Flickr exhibition we have created – let us know what you think!

prospectus 3

About Katharine Short

When I was 13 every careers questionnaire I did at school suggested I become an archivist. In rebellion I studied History of Art at Cambridge and the Courtauld Institute before giving in to the inevitable and undertaking a qualification in Archives Administration at Aberystwyth University. I worked at King’s College London Archives and the London Metropolitan Archives before becoming the Archivist here at DMU in January 2013. My role is hugely varied: answering enquiries and assisting researchers, sorting, cataloguing, cleaning and packaging archival material, managing our environmentally controlled storage areas, giving seminars, talks and tours, researching aspects of University history, liaising with potential donors and advocating for the importance of archives within the organisation. I am one of those incredibly fortunate people who can say ‘I love my job’ and really mean it.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.