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University legend would have it that the iconic red squiggly ‘Cumbria’ logo of our legacy institution Cumbria Institute of the Arts (CIA) was designed by a student as part of a competition.
To see if this was actually true, we popped a message onto the Cumbria Institute of the Arts Linkedin page.
Ursula McLaughlin responded. Ursula did indeed design the logo as a student, we caught up with her to find out more.
Ursula McLaughlin, HND Graphic Design, class of 1984
Student life in the 1980s
“I’m originally from Carlisle. I was at Brampton Road from 1981-1984 and studied OND and HND in graphic design. I’d just finished school at 16 and wasn’t sure what to do – a neighbour suggested art college as I was good at drawing. I had an interview and was offered a place.
I was convinced I wanted to do ceramics when I started - very quickly realised that 3D was not my thing! I didn’t really have ‘career ambitions’ as such – probably as I was still too young. Once we had studied the different disciplines, I found that graphic design was the way to go.
The 80s was a great time to be there with all that decade had to offer in the way of fashion and music. When I first started there was still a print department with apprentices learning typesetting. I think that closed in ‘82. There was a good mix of practical and art with students being given opportunities to explore music and theatre.
There was of course a great social scene with lots of club nights and house parties not to mention sneaking into pubs under-age! I remember one of the tutors had an open topped car and gave us a lift into town with a 6ft papier-mâché banana made by June Perry. She had planned some kind of art ‘happening’ – I remember having to wait outside the bank with it while she popped in there. I also have fond memories of taking part in the production of Under Milk Wood in ‘82 and being the back-end of a pantomime reindeer for a panto the same year!
As part of the course, we had life drawing days. I remember the then Vice Principal, Peter Harman, thinking it was funny to bring in a pig's head for us to draw when he knew most people would be hungover!”
How did the red Cumbria logo come about?
“I can’t really remember if it was a ‘competition’ as such, but it was a brief set by our tutors to come up with a new logo for the college. I was into the splashy style of Ralph Steadman at the time and think this was probably an influence. Students in our year took part and the final design was chosen by the tutors. No money changed hands sadly!
The brief was to come up with a logo design for the college - I don’t think it was any more complicated than that – although I’m sure someone remembers it in more detail! Because it was the ‘olden days’ the initial design was done in ink originally then letters were traced and scanned. I’ve still got the drawn up lettering and I did a whole alphabet in the end. The lower-case lettering was also used on the Stanwix Arts Theatre programming for a couple of years too.
I remember being really excited when the college stationery was done – having a piece of actual printed work was a first. And of course, the main sign outside of the campus – I was happy to be leaving something behind me. It’s great to be part of the history – it was a very happy time in my life.
I think if I hadn’t studied at CIA I would have had a very different path indeed having left school at 16. It gave me an appreciation of art and culture in addition to design skills. It was definitely life changing.”
What have you been up to since college?
“I’m still designing for a living today, so something has worked out :)
It did take a while to get into designing full-time though. I moved away from Carlisle and eventually ended up in London in 1989 with the UK about to head into recession in ‘91-’92. It took a while but one of my first proper design jobs was in Belgravia where my colleagues thought that my northern accent was hilarious.
After a few years there I went freelance and had worked for, among others, CDP Advertising Agency in their design studio, before leaving and joining a tech start-up in the late nineties. I was then in a long-term contract working in the design studio of KPMG – finally ending up in their Canary Wharf offices where the studio was run by a new agency called Oliver. I left in late 2015 and have been working remotely ever since. One of my last jobs for Oliver was a brief stint working in their New York office – which I loved! I guess one ambition would be to do that again at some point.”
What are you most proud of?
“Surviving! Since moving to St Leonards at the start of 2016 – I am proud of making a difference at a local level with design work for various community organisations. It’s good to be able to make a difference even in a small way.”
Keep up to date with Ursula’s work on her website www.umacdesign.com
Contact Ursula ursula.mcl@gmail.com
If you have memories of Cumbria Institute of the Arts and studying at Brampton Road campus, we would love to hear from you. Complete an alumni profile form here or email alumni@cumbria.ac.uk