Paul Rennie

Dr Paul Rennie is a Practices Tutor in the BA Hons Graphic Communication Design program at Central Saint Martins, part of University of the Arts London. He works 0.6 FTE at CSM and 0.2 FTE at The Margate School, focusing on the historical and contemporary aspects of graphic communication design. As a leading authority on the historical development of British graphic design, Rennie combines academic work with collecting vintage posters and curating the Rennies Seaside Modern Gallery.

Rennie's research interests center on the historical development of graphic design in Britain, particularly posters from the 19th century onward. His work explores three key characteristics of posters: scale and color (printing and display), visual integration (image and text), and speed and movement (machine-ensemble and cognition). He investigates how posters form the basis of today's dynamic, interactive image culture that aligns with the acceleration effects of the modern metropolis. Rennie is particularly interested in what he terms 'architecture without buildings' - conceptualizing graphic communication design as a space where information systems meet experience and environment, time and movement, narrative and voice, strategy and identity.

His publications reveal a strong focus on British design history, with particular attention to safety posters from WWII, Festival of Britain design, modern British posters, GPO posters, and RoSPA safety posters. Rennie views shops, night-clubs, restaurants, and schools as expressions of empathetic civic improvement and virtue, seeking progressive and humane systems at scale. His upcoming work includes studies on Folkestone place posters and Liberty's style and identity.

Rennie maintains an active online presence through his blogs (BAGDContext, New Pamphleteer, Paul's Poster Project) and Instagram (#doctorcontext). He also collaborates with organizations including Imerial Healthcare (Art + Recovery) and The Margate School (New ways of teaching + learning in art + design).