Mrs Laura Orton

I am Laura - a graphic designer, stained glass artist, teacher and researcher from Manchester, UK. I am a lecturer within the three Creative Industries courses at Kingston University, currently leading the module on Navigating Industry in level 4, where we explore career paths, future jobs, core design skills and graduate attributes. My work at Kingston University is part time. For the rest of my week, I work as a freelance designer and maker, with many clients in the charity and not for profit sectors such as NHS, Boiler House, Sow The City and Manchester City Council. I am also currently moving towards the end of my PhD studies, where I am looking at how visual communication can effect stigma towards mental illness, analysing how mental illness is portrayed in visual communication and devising a toolkit for designers to use to maximise the potential for behaviour change.

My research interests are into the semiotics and linguistics of graphic design, specifically around social marketing (sometimes called graphic design for social change or design for good). I research how we can change peoples behaviours and attitudes through what they see in everyday life. I am a member of the European Social Marketing Society and the Design Research Society.

In my art practice, I make stained glass windows, light-boxes and artefacts. These range from small household decor items to larger public architectural panels. I enjoy experimenting with light and colour and how these can transform spaces and bring delight to the viewer.

• (pending - due for completion in June 2026) PhD in Visual Communication
• Fellow of the Higher Education Authority
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• Adobe Professional in Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, InDesign and Premiere Pro