Odds and quads

Tom Eckersley (1914-97) was one of Britain’s foremost graphic designers of the 20th century.

His works reveal a powerful ability to convey a strong message through a simple design and few words, often using pared-down graphic elements and bold blocks of colour. Notable examples were produced for clients ranging from Gillette and Guinness to the World Wide Fund for Nature, London Transport and the Inner London Education Authority.

He also established the UK’s first graphic design course, at the London College of Printing (now the London College of Communication). His collection, which includes artworks and preparatory designs used as teaching aids as well as finished pieces, is now held at the University of the Arts London Archives and Special Collections Centre. It can be viewed at VADS.

The posters shown here were used to advertise an exhibition and two lectures at the London College of Printing, and a 1981 exhibition at the National Theatre of student-designed brochures for Peter Shaffer’s play Equus.

Send suggestions for this series on the treasures, oddities and curiosities owned by universities across the world to matthew.reisz@tsleducation.com