Designer honoured for University and town contributions

A local designer and former Reading lecturer has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the University and the town.

Martin Andrews received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in a ceremony on Thursday 7 December.

Andrews first attended the University of Reading as an undergraduate in the 1970s, graduating with a degree in Typography & Graphic Communication in 1976. He then pursued work as an exhibition designer at the Reading Museum and won a Museum of the Year award for installing the Riverside Museum at Blake’s Lock, Reading.

In 1990, Andrews returned to the University as a lecturer in the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication, where he remained for many years. He taught typography and specialised in printing history, lecturing extensively on this topic. Andrews also authored several books and greatly contributed to the Department's collections over the years.

Since retiring from lecturing, Andrews has returned to working as an exhibition designer and artist. He redeveloped the Ure Museum in Reading as well as museums for Oxford University Press and the Royal Berkshire Hospital. He continues to promote the arts locally through his tireless work with the Reading Guild of Artists and Two Rivers Press.

Now 70 years old, Andrews lives in Reading with his wife Verity, who also studied at the University of Reading after meeting Andrews at school. He continues to work as a painter, printmaker, and exhibition consultant for television period dramas.

Dr Rhi Smith, University Museums and Special Collections Services Director of Academic Learning and Engagement at the University of Reading, said: "Martin is impossible to summarise. He is simply passionate about too many things. He is a multifaceted artist working in oil and acrylics. He carves in stone and is a talented printmaker. He researches, he writes and he designs exhibitions. He has been a set consultant for period dramas. His energy is boundless. Martin recently turned 70 and he remains unstoppable. One of the very few things Martin does not seem to have done in his 70 years is get his doctorate. I am glad he can finally tick that off the list.”