We nipped up to the Cubitt gallery at lunchtime today to catch the fantastic little show that's on there about Design Research Unit, the pioneering multidisciplinary design firm best known for its creation of the British Rail corporate identity. The show features a fine selection of their work from the firm's first thirty years.

The practice was founded by poet and art critic Herbert Read, with the desire to fuse creative intelligence with technical research, bringing 'artists and designers into productive relation with scientists and technologists'. Read was joined by Misha Black and Milner Gray, who had themselves previously set up the Industrial Design Partnership (below); and also by Marcus Brumwell.

There's a great selection of work on show, including company letterheads, and work from clients including Watneys Brewery, ICI, Ilford,and of course British Rail.

The show runs until Sunday 24 October, and will then be touring to Norwich, Bournville, Tate St Ives, Liverpool and Nottingham.

Read more about it in this Guardian article, and check out a few more of our shots on Alistair's Flickr set.