About 5 — Ian Kirby Design

Ian Kirby’s years of study were between 1952 and 1964. His foundations in handmade solid wood furniture making were formed at Loughborough College - now Loughborough University - between 1952 and 1955 in workshops where Edward Barnsley was the guiding light. The workshops were staffed by tutors steeped in the core characteristics of the British Arts & Crafts movement - rightful materials used to make furniture that is elegantly simple, made by workmanship that is unassailable. At the completion of this study he was awarded the Diploma of Loughborough College.

In 1955, he was appointed to teach furniture making at The Hull College of Art & Design, now Hull University. With a flexible teaching schedule and help from various directions, he embarked on a self-imposed study that continued until 1962.

Between 1956 and 1959 he studied wood science and wood technology at The Hull College of Technology - now Hull University - and was awarded the Certificate of Timber Technology.

Between 1958 and 1962 he traveled the 120 mile round trip weekly to The Leeds College of Art & Design - now Leeds University - to study furniture design. He was awarded The National Diploma in Design in 1962.

The City & Guilds London Institute was incorporated by Royal Charter founded in 1878. It exists as a governing standard and an award-granting body to the crafts, furniture making amongst them.

Between 1956 and 1958 at The Hull College of Technology, Ian successfully completed the examinations in Cabinet Making and Chair Making. In 1962, at The Leeds College of Art, he was awarded the Full Technologic Certificates in Cabinet Making and Chair Making. In 1964 at The London School of Furniture, he was successful in the Advanced Courses in Furniture Materials in Upholstery materials and Finishing Materials.

Prior to 1970 in the British higher education system, technology and design was studied in Colleges of Technology and Colleges of Art & Design. These institutions did not grant degrees the awarding of which was limited to universities. Degrees were offered only in pure academic studies such as pure math and science and did not include applied arts and sciences. During the decade of the 1970’s, the two were folded into one. Existing universities were expanded, and new ones were formed. All systems awards were then granted as “degrees.”

IAN KIRBY: KEEPING THE IDEALS OF ARTS AND CRAFTS ALIVE by Lee Gilchrist for The Woodoworke’s Journal • DEC 30, 2003

MAKING IS NOT DESIGNING by Ian Kirby for the Woodshop News • JUNE 10, 2020