Jeff Willis’ research interests are focused on the analysis, transformation and interpretation of information. They include the work of current research students in programme: the analysis of legibility and readability and the integration of vision science and typography. He is currently involved in LUCID (Learning, Understanding & Communicating about Information Design) with the University of Reading, funded by the AHRC.
Born in 1956 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Jeff Willis studied graphic design at Norwich School of Art and at the Royal College of Art, graduating in 1984 when he joined Minale Tattersfield and Partners as a senior designer. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Art, and Deputy Head of the Visual Communication programme at the Royal College of Art in London with teaching responsibilities in Graphic Design. He remains active as a graphic designer having formed a design partnership in 1990 with his wife, Sue Perks, who graduated with him from the RCA in 1984. Perks Willis Design operates as a design consultancy to cultural institutions, corporate clients and educational establishments. He is a member of Design and Art Direction, the International Society of Typographic Designers, a member of the Sign Design Society and a member of the Higher Education Academy.