Chris Mullen, a distinguished educator and historian of art and design, has died at the age of 81. Throughout a career spanning over three decades at the Norwich School of Art and the University of Brighton, Mullen became a pivotal figure in integrating contextual studies with studio practice. He was renowned for his vast personal archive of printed ephemera and his digital project, "The Visual Telling of Stories," which served as a vital resource for generations of students and researchers.
Mullen’s influence extended beyond the classroom through his pioneering research into visual communication and popular culture, notably his work on cigarette pack design and the aesthetic history of Fortune magazine. By championing overlooked imagery and narrative illustration, he helped shape the careers of internationally recognized artists like Barbara Loftus and Clare Strand. His legacy remains a testament to the importance of visual literacy and the deep connection between historical archives and contemporary creative practice.