Marc graduated with a first class honours degree in 1998 and after a brief stint in a small advertising agency, followed by some design studio work, decided to pursue a freelance career, initially specialising in early web interactivity, and educational multimedia prototypes for the financial sector aimed at teaching school children about budgeting, in addition to design consultancy and creative work (corporate identity, brand, brochure, poster, publicity work, websites etc) for a range of clients and exhibition catalogues for the New Art Gallery, Walsall.

Working as an associate lecturer at Hereford College of Art and as a design technician and visiting lecturer the University of Wolverhampton enabled him to complete a Masters degree specialising in typography, legibility and interpretation in the context of interactivity in traditional and non-traditional gallery spaces, and soon gained further teaching experience at a number of institutions before accepting a full-time teaching position at Wolverhampton School of Art.

During his time at Wolverhampton, Marc has occupied a number of roles including course leader for Design and Journalism & Editorial Design and Coordinator for Blended and Technology Supported Learning. He has contributed teaching expertise to a number of courses at the University including Design Studies, Journalism & Editorial Design, Computer Games Design, Animation, Illustration, Visual Communication and of course, Graphic Design where he is currently in the role of Course Leader.

Research interests include Graphic Design and Graphic Design Education; Typography and experimental multimedia in the context of reactive and interactive prototypes, and alternative digital image editing for glitch art. Pedagogic research includes the use of electronic, mobile and blended learning methods to enhance the student learning experience; the use and role of technology in art and design education.

Marc has contributed to a number of international conferences and exhibitions. Most recently, a typographic poster design was selected for exhibition at Liechtenstein National Museum and publication in the Messages to Humanity International Poster Exhibition.

Marc has also acted as a reviewer for conferences such as CADE07, and book reviewer for Laurence King Publishers.

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Member of the Graphic Design Educators Network

• Post Graduate Certificate of Learning and Teaching for Higher Education
• Masters Degree in Typography and Multimedia (MA Art & Design Network)
• First Class Degree in BA(Hons) Design Studies

• The Cabinet of Psychedelic Curiosities (2018) Logo & Development Work Exhibited at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
• More In Common (2017) Poster for the 9^th United Designs (Liechtenstein) 2017 Messages to Humanity International Poster Exhibition.
• Glitch Anatomie (2017) Digital Print. Exhibited at Wolverhampton School of Art, Staff Summer Show.
• Austin, M. (2010) Blended Learning Works: enhancing and enriching an art and design community through e-learning. Article published in HEA ADHM Networks Magazine.
• Austin, M. (Project Leader) (2010) Blended Learning Works: enhancing and enriching an art and design community through e-learning. Successful bid to the Higher Education Academy’s Discipline-focused Learning Technology Learning Academy.
• Marshall, L. & Austin, M. (2009) E-learning – filling the gaps where studios once stood?Published proceedings IADIS Mobile Learning Conference, Barcelona, 25-28 February.
• Marshall, L., Austin, M. & Hale, P. (2008) Enhanced Podcasts for Enhanced Learning. Published proceedings CLTAD 4th International Conference Enhancing the Curricula: Using research and inquiry to inform student learning in the disciplines. New York, 3-4 April.
• Austin, M. & Hale, P. (2008) Reactype24 - Reactive typographic installation.exhibited at PLUS+ International Type Conference, Fazeley Studios, Birmingham. Cited as a case study in Marshall, L. & Meachem, L. (2010) How to Use Images. London, Laurence King.
• Marshall, L & Austin, M. (2004) The relationship between software skills and subject specific knowledge, theory and practice. Published in CELT Learning and Teaching Projects 2003/04 ISBN: 0954211642
• Marshall, L & Austin, M. (2003) Design is practice and theory, not practice with theory. Published in CELT Learning and Teaching Projects 2002/03 ISBN: 0954211626
• Austin, M & Marshall, L. (2003) Creator, Machine and User. Digital Installation exhibited at Computers in Art & Design Education (CADE2003) conference, University of Lincoln.
• Marshall, L & Austin, M. (2001) Agamemnon Revisited Textile and Digital Animation Installation exhibited at Computers in Art & Design Education conference (CADE2001), Glasgow School of Art.

During his formative years as a designer, Marc worked in advertising and design studios while setting up as a freelancer. Industry experience includes all aspects of graphic design - ranging from small projects for individuals to designing and maintaining online targeted marketing campaigns for international clients. This experience extends from client liaison and pitching, to developing and implementing design solutions and handling online and physical delivery of print projects.

Clients have included: Staffordshire Building Society, Portman Group, Nationwide, Apple Agency, Stansted Express, Stansted Airport, Moog Industrial Services Group and TruSail. Marc continues to work as a freelance graphic designer and design consultant on a limited basis, mainly focusing on not-for-profit, university initiatives and social interest clients that have included West Midlands Air Ambulance, Help for Heroes, The New Art Gallery, Walsall and The Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, Boscastle. Other initiatives providing industry experience include design and consultancy for Appt, Aeero, Headstart, Wolverhampton Psychogeographical Bureau, Radical Gestures Exhibition, The Cabinet of Psychedelic Curiosities.

Marc is a student-focused tutor, dedicated to the student experience, successes and employability. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in creating opportunities for students to engage in a wide range of live, industrial and placement projects within the curriculum and externally. Recent clients and projects include: Newhampton Arts Centre, Headstart, Promoting Organ Donation UK (NHS), The National Association of Student Employment Services, Kidderminster Museum of Carpet, Black Country Research Centre, Scouting Magazine, Aeero, Appt...

Within the Graphic Design course, Marc has also initiated Academic Business Partnerships working with and offering opportunities for students, with companies  including: Bank Associates, DRP, Top Banana, Kijo Creative, Happy Giraffe and WavePrint.

In addition, he has also mentored students working on international design competitions leading to shortlisting and winning entries for 5 consecutive years, including the Starpack Student Packaging Awards, Model Young Package Awards, Penguin Book Cover Awards, the International Reggae Poster Exhibition, with commendation for work submitted the the International Society of Typographic Designers.

As a result of his dedication to students, Marc has been nominated for a number of teaching awards, and was voted University Lecturer of the Year (Faculty of Arts), at the Students’ Union Awards in 2017.