Professor John Farmer received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Nottingham Trent University (UK.) His design interests include, the Bauhaus movement, typography, and Designers like Tim Marrs, Olly Moss and David Carson . Professor Farmer spent a number of years working at Rolls Royce as a Product Definition Designer on V2500 and Small Engine Facilities.
Prior to moving to Rhode Island in 2014, Professor Farmer was a full-time faculty member and course leader in Graphic Design at New College Nottingham (UK.) For two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) two of Professor Farmer’s students won the Sustainable Design Award (BSkyB Creative) at the New Designers Awards in London. In 2012 he received the “STAR Award” for innovation in teaching Design at New College Nottingham. At New College Nottingham, Professor Farmer organised an annual Spring Break study abroad trip to different creative cities in Europe, including Barcelona, Krakow, Berlin, Budapest, and Rome. He also organised regular trips to galleries, such as the Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery, and the Design Museum. He played a key role in organising the end of year student showcase and was instrumental in a range of promotion work for the college.
He is an active design practitioner, and has completed work for the following companies: K&H Coaches (logo and website), White Peak Distribution (logo), and NCN (designed and created anamorphic vinyl for reception area.) His personal work also includes screen printing and wedding print collateral.
Professor Farmer is a keen painter and musician, he also enjoys designing and making furniture. Since arriving in Rhode Island, Professor Farmer has taught at Roger Williams University and the Community College of Rhode Island. Professor Farmer has run a number of Community Partnership Centre (CPC) classes at RWU, which include a range of innovative experiential learning opportunities. The highlights include “Rebranding the City of Central Falls” in 2015 and designing and implementing the “100 Years of the Rhode Island Red Cross” statewide campaign in 2016. The exhibition that Professor Farmer’s class produced for the “100 Years of the Rhode Island Red Cross” was displayed at the Rhode Island State House and then travelled around the State. It received formal recognition from the Red Cross national headquarters and was featured on the television on WPRI news. Professor Farmer is a faculty advisor for the Foundation for the International Medical Relief of Children, and has led service learning trips with Roger Williams University students to: Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
He teaches the following courses at Roger Williams University:
DSGN 100 Introduction to Graphic Design Communication
DSGN 110 Introduction to Typography
DSGN 210 Art Direction
DSGN 310 Brand Identity
DSGN 430 Special Topics in Graphic Design (Community Partnership Center Class)
DSGN 450 Portfolio
HUM 399 Cultures in Contact: Art, Design and Cultural Immersion – UK London, Liverpool, Conwy Wales.
Intermediate Hassenfeld Fellow
FIMRC (Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children) - Lead Advisor
Nadi (New and Dangerous Ideas) - Advisor