The 10 Best Graphic Designers & Creatives from Ireland

Who doesn’t love the Irish? At Shillington we regularly get lots of talented Irish folk joining us on the course, and a few in our teaching team too! The Design scene in Ireland (both North & South) has never looked healthier with a myriad of studios taking the global industry by storm.

As far as cities go, both the Northern and Southern capitals are booming. Belfast is a prime filming location, providing a stage for HBO’s Game of Thrones as well as numerous blockbusters. While the southern capital of Dublin is the chosen location for the European head offices for Google, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Eager to put the spotlight on some of the talents within the Emerald Isle we’ve shared our 10 favourite Irish Creatives. From cutting edge advertising agencies, to small scale branding studios and groundbreaking illustrators—this country has it all! 

Sort

Sort Design are a graphic design and branding studio based in Belfast. While small in size this studio doesn’t hold back with the goods. Their portfolio is a plethora of inspiration from branding for ‘Moving on Music, a leading not for profit promoter of eclectic music in Northern Ireland to Retail Packaging for a range of commercial purveyors. Fun fact, Sort designer Dave Smith also runs popular design blog This Is Collate. Talk about multi-tasking!

Work Group

Dublin based studio Work Group hit the nail on the head by describing their style as ‘Useful, beautiful graphic design’. Their projects range from impeccable book design, to identity design for a speciality coffee brand and some truly lovely Christmas stamps—it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite piece of work!

Sans Studio

Sans Studio is a Branding & Packaging design studio by Sandra Coleman. We love this packaging design for Irish Craft Brewery, Brú—effortlessly timeless with a great use of bold primary colours.

Detail Design

With a belief in analysis, simplicity and original output Dublin based studio Detail Design are killing it with their polished portfolio. We’re big fans of the custom typographic treatment Detail constructed for the Irish Film Board. While their current website is having a makeover check out their temporary site over here.

The Project Twins

There’s no pairing sweeter than that of illustration and graphic design. Cork based The Project Twins are firing on all cylinders with their eclectic portfolio. James and Michael Fitzgerald (yes, they are actual twins) sight humour, irony and wit as the driving concepts within their work. Bold colours and intricate details blend effortlessly to create truly memorable design. The Project Twins have created work for a flurry of editorial magazines such as Which? Magazine, Kiplinger’s Magazine and Nature Journal.

Red & Grey Design

Based within the bustling neighbourhood of Portobello in Dublin, Red & Grey Design are busy working on all kinds of wonderful things. Partners Bob Gray and Keith McGuinness have a wealth of experience between them and have conjured up some incredibly inspiring design work. We’re particular fans of their book design, especially ‘Alive Alive Oh’ for Pivot Dublin and ‘Let’s Go Disco’ for Michelin-star chef, Martijn Kajuiter.

Red Dog

With an office in Dublin and New York Red Dog are bringing their design talents to the masses. Founded in 1993 by Mary Doherty and Irene Gough, Red Dog is all about beautifully executed compelling ideas. Their work in branding and identity is especially inspiring with work for a range of clients from a local ice cream parlour Scoop to Youth Theatre Ireland and Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.

Unthink

We can’t get enough of Unthink, from intelligent web design to experimental print design, they have it all. Based in Dublin they describe themselves as being inquisitive, open minded, and approach every new project with a sense of fun—which resonates in everything they do.

Annie Atkins

Surely there’s not one designer out there who doesn’t enjoy the intricate art directed bliss of a Wes Anderson film. Annie Atkins won the client of a lifetime when she was asked to produce the graphics for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Originally from Wales she’s now set up camp in Dublin where she works on a variety of projects from film and tv. Find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Annie and her work in this enlightening interview on her website.

Rothco

Dublin based Advertising agency Rothco are in a league of their own. Through storytelling, technology and strategy they bring their clients first class design solutions. Rothco have worked on projects for Heinken, Lyons Tea and Tiger and they’ve even scooped up awards at the prestigious Cannes Lions Festival for their Irish Defence Forces campaign.

Feeling inspired? If you think a career in Graphic Design is for you then why not get in touch to find out more! We have campuses in London, Manchester, New York (m1 visas available), Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. More info at –> www.shillingtoneducation.com