Dawn Critchley

Lecturer

Digital, Tech, Innovation & Business

With 20 years of industry experience for luxury brands, homeware, licensing, freelance design agency and greeting card design. Design work projects include Liberty of London, Harrods, and John Lewis, also been involved in licensing for London 2012 Olympics and licensing my art for kitchen textiles. I have wide-ranging experience in several industries and a real passion for Surface Pattern design and sharing my knowledge. Personal projects include my love of nature and creating art outdoors combined with digital design techniques. I love to create 'real digital art' with the textural qualities of traditional art processes. I am the founder of Patternologie, which focuses on digital design techniques and creative workshops. You can find examples of my work on my website: patternologie.co.uk I am part of a dynamic team that fully supports graduates in their chosen career paths through exciting design modules and live commercial briefs designed to stretch creative abilities and develop a deep understanding of the design process.

Professional memberships and activities

  • Fellowship (FHEA)

Academic qualifications

  • Surface Pattern Design Masters by Negotiated Study - Staffordshire University
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education - Staffordshire University 
  • Surface Pattern Design BA (Hons) Staffordshire University
  • HND Fine Art Newcastle-under-Lyme College
  • City & Guilds an Introduction to Delivering Learning Newcastle-under-Lyme College
  • Certificate in First Line Management City and Guilds
  • HNC Graphics Design & Digital Camera Newcastle-under-Lyme College

Expertise

  • Surface Pattern Design & Repeat Pattern
  • Digital Drawing Photoshop & Illustrator Procreate (iPad) AVA CADCAM
  • Industry Textile Design Software
  • Design Management
  • Surface Pattern Designer for Industry Trend Research
  • Product
  • Visuals
  • Sample Development
  • Drawing
  • Painting

Research interests

Biophilic Design

Enterprise and commercial interests

Personal projects include my love of nature and creating art outdoors combined with digital design techniques. I love to create 'real digital art' with the textural qualities of traditional art processes. I am the founder of Patternologie, which focuses on digital design techniques and creative workshops. You can find examples of my work on my website: www.patternologie.co.uk

Teaching

I am responsible for teaching year groups 4, 5, and 6, serving as a module leader. My duties include creating and delivering course content, developing video learning materials, and conducting practical sessions. I engage with students through tutorials, both in-person in the studio and online via Teams. Additionally, I assess, mark, and provide feedback on student work, participate in recruitment activities, and collaborate on industry live briefs to enrich the learning experience.

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021