Alan Kitching RDI AGI Hon FRCA (born 1940) is a practitioner of letterpress typographic design and printmaking. Kitching exhibits and lectures across the globe, and is known for his expressive use of wood and metal letterforms in commissions and limited-edition prints.
Early life
Born 1940 in Darlington, Co. Durham, he was an apprentice compositor (1956–61). From 1962 to 1964 he was a technician in hand and line type composition, Department of Printing, Watford College of Technology, Herts. After meeting Anthony Froshaug (the new head of department) Kitching co-established the experimental printing workshop at Watford College of Technology. Kitching later continued to collaborate with Froshaug on student projects at the Central School of Art & Design.
Professional career
In 1973 Alan began his own design practice in London with Colin Forbes. In 1977 he partnered with Derek Birdsall and Martin Lee at Omnific and started letterpress printing there in 1985. He began letterpress workshops in 1986 at Omnific Studios, Islington, London. He then went on to establish The Typography Workshop in Clerkenwell (1989). From 1994 he worked in partnership with designer/writer Celia Stothard (later his wife). In 1999, in partnership with designer and teacher, Celia Stothard FRSA, Kitching purchased a large collection of theatrical wood types, now named, 'Entertaining Types' and housed in Kennington, Lambeth, South London.
Teaching
1967–70: Part-Time lecturer in Typography, School of Art, Watford College. of Technology, Herts. 1968–72: Visiting lecturer in Graphic Design, Central School of Art & Design, London. 1973: Visiting lecturer, London College of Printing. 1974.75: Visiting lecturer, Goldsmiths College, University of London. 1988: Visiting lecturer in Graphic Design, Royal College of Art 1990-2000: University of Brighton, School of Graphic Design, visiting lecturer. 1991–2006: Typography Workshops at Royal College of Art 1994: Colchester Institute, School of Art, visiting lecturer. 1993-1995: Glasgow School of Art, visiting lecturer.
Awards and Membership of professional bodies
Designers and Art Directors Association (D and AD) 1999: Fellow of Chartered Society of Designers 1999: Member of Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI) 1994: Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) 1996: Member of the Designers and Art Directors Association (D&AD) 1997: Fellow of Royal Society of Arts 1998: Fellow of the Royal College of Art 2001: Visiting Professor The London Institute (now University of the Arts London)
Commissions
1999: Stamps for Royal Mail: Magna Carta Millennium series
2002: Poems on the buses for Transport for London
2002: Posters for the National Theatre's Transformation season of plays
2002: Stamps for the Royal Mail: Love Occasion series
2001/2003: Typographic artwork for The Guardian Newspaper
2003: Typographic artworks for VSO poster campaign 'We need professionals'
2003: Typographic mural for The Guardian Newspaper building reception
Exhibitions
1992: Gallery at Pentagram, SOLO SHOW
1993: Royal College of Art, SOLO SHOW
1994: Crafts Council 'True to Type', 5 works, catalogue, 1994: D&AD "Festival of Excellence', 4 works 1994: Paperpoint shop, several works 1996: '20 Designers for a Silhouette', Centre Pompidou, Paris 1996: Royal Mail Stamps, London 1997: 'British Graphic Design', Cologne, Germany 1997: The Gallery at Pentagram, London 1998: Coningsby Gallery SOLO SHOW 2000: 'Powerhouse', UK 2001: Gallery at Pentagram, 'In Darkest England' 1998: The British Pavilion, 'Information expertise @ UK'; The Library and Information Commission, Amsterdam 1999: 'A K TypeArt 98', The Coningsby Gallery, London, one man show 2002: Gallery at Pentagram, London, one man show 2004: Public Address System, London and Berlin 2004: Pax Britannica, London Advanced Graphics London 2016: Somerset House 2016: Suffolk 2016: The Lighthouse, Glasgow