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JUNE 15—28,2024

ATU Connemara

ThonikNL

Gail AndersonUSA

AssociateUSA

DesignbyCoIRL

UnthinkIRL

Studio OrIRL

Our hosts

Experience design on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Design West is an international summer design school located at the ATU Connemara campus in the beautiful village of Letterfrack in Co. Galway, on the West Coast of Ireland. For two weeks this summer, from June 15th to June 28th, 2024, participants will get the opportunity to work with leading International and Irish designers from renowned studios. Unplugging from our hectic everyday working lives—commuting, cell phones, deadlines, media saturation—participants will immerse themselves in the wild and rugged Connemara landscape and use it both as a mode of research and as a source of inspiration.

Intro Image
Intro Image

Summer is a time for exploration and discovery, for meeting new people and taking on new challenges. It is also a time to get away from the grind of ‘the everyday’ and to reflect upon one’s role and purpose as a designer. Design West offers the perfect environment for studying design in a non-urban environment—away from the noise of the city and the pressures of deadlines. Students will participate in a two-week programme of discovery, learning, reflection, adventure and making.

The course will take place at the ATU Connemara campus in Letterfrack, Co. Galway, Ireland. The facilities include CAD, CNC technology, laser equipment, robotics and digital, all ideal for the realisation of 2D and 3D design expressions. The campus has excellent Wi-Fi connectivity. In the rural setting beyond the campus, connectivity is weaker, an opportunity for students at Design West to ‘unplug’ from the busy world of design and gain new perspectives.

Summer School Image
Summer School Image

People

Thomas + NikkiNL

Thonik

Thomas + Nikki profile
Thomas + Nikki work

Thonik is the Amsterdam-based collective of designers, led by designers Nikki Gonnissen and Thomas Widdershoven. Thonik offers its clients a visual voice that sets them apart and differentiates them. Thonik has its roots firmly planted in society, willing to actively engage in the dialogue of what is right and what is fair. They specialise in visual communication, graphic identity, interaction and motion design.

SVA NYCUSA

Gail Anderson

SVA NYC profile
SVA NYC work

Gail Anderson is Chair of BFA Design and BFA Advertising at the School of Visual Arts and creative director at Visual Arts Press. Anderson serves on the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee for the US Postal Service and the advisory boards of Poster House and The One Club for Creativity. She is an AIGA Medalist, the 2018 recipient of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement, and a 2022 Art Directors Club Manship Medallion honoree. Her work is represented in the Library of Congress’s permanent collection, the Milton Glaser Design Archives, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Brankica & KenUSA

Associate

Brankica & Ken profile
Brankica & Ken work

Brankica is a seasoned design visionary with over two decades of experience, notably as an Associate Partner at New York’s prestigious Pentagram. Her expertise spans brand systems, print, packaging, digital, and environmental signage. Her creative excellence extends across renowned brands and institutions, such as lululemon, Samsung, Abrams, Menil Foundation, Studio Museum in Harlem and Sidewalk Labs, showcasing her ability to encapsulate brand ethos into compelling visual narratives. In 2023, she co-founded Associate, a testament to her commitment to innovative design. With a BFA from Parsons School of Design and a track record of accolades, Brankica also shares her insights as an educator at the School of Visual Arts, NYU and Pratt Institute.

Ken is a multifaceted designer with expertise spanning identity, print design, environment, strategy, and technology.

He spent over 12 years as an Associate Partner at Pentagram New York and has collaborated with prestigious clients, including Nike, Samsung, Cooper Hewitt, Rizzoli, Calendly, Grace Farms, OPPO, and lululemon. Ken’s creative journey spans across distinguished studios in Dublin, London, and New York, leading to co-founding Associate in 2023.

Ken has received a range of design awards for his print and interactive design in Europe and the United States, such as The Type Directors Club, Communication Arts, The Art Director’s Club, Design and Art Direction Awards and The 100 Archive.

Ken has a BA in Visual Communication from the National College of Art in Dublin, Ireland. He studied Design, Typography and Interactive Media in the Willem De Kooning Academie in Rotterdam, Holland. He has been a guest critic at Parsons, The New School, New York and NYU Magnet. Ken is a member of the IDI, 100 Archive, AIGA and the ISTD.

Conor ClarkeIRL

DesignbyCo

Conor Clarke profile
Conor Clarke work

Course Leader, Conor Clarke is Director of Co. (Conor Clarke & Company), and Creative Director of Atosú, an Irish leadership institute addressing a global audience. He was a founder and Director of Design Factory (1984-2024) and served as a board member of the Institute of Creative Advertising and Design, and the Institute of Designers in Ireland. His work has featured in international publications such as Who’s Who in Graphic Design, Graphis, Novum Gebrauchsgrafik, and the New York Art Directors Club Annual. He was the recipient of the Catherine Donnelly Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to design in Ireland, at the 2019 ICAD Awards.

designbyco.net

 

C0lin & NoelleIRL

Unthink

C0lin & Noelle profile
C0lin & Noelle work

Unthink is a design studio, who are inquisitive, open minded, and approach every new project with a deep curiosity, free from any preconceived ideas. This process allows them to create unique and effective design outputs.

As visual communicators they tend to create two dimensional outcomes, however largely due to their collaborations with architects and other disciplines, they’ve grown to greatly respect the role of volume and materials in bringing projects to life. Many of their most enjoyable and fruitful projects have been at the intersection of architecture and design.

unthink.ie

Kate & JoIRL

Studio Or

Kate & Jo profile
Kate & Jo work

Studio Or is an award-winning design and risograph print studio based in Dublin. With a hands-on and playful approach to design, Kate and Jo established Studio Or as a space to experiment with process or collaborate or run workshops or discover the possibilities of design in the context of risograph printing. As well as taking on graphic design work, Studio Or also offers a range of risograph print workshops and consider the act of sharing an integral part of their practice.

ATU Connemara

Our hosts

ATU Connemara profile

ATU Connemara Team

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Connemara is widely known for its furniture design and technology programmes. The campus has been synonymous with the evolution of design and technology education related to furniture and wood products over the past 30 years. The campus is located in the village of Letterfrack, Co. Galway. It is situated in the stunning Connemara National Park and is near Killary Fjord and Kylemore Abbey. It is an hour’s drive away from Galway city and Westport in Co. Mayo. The team at ATU Connemara is led by Head of Centre Paul Leamy, with the administrative support of Samantha Flaherty. ATU Connemara will provide academic guidance for those wishing to pursue a Special Purpose Award, as well as the technical support to complete the course.

Programme

Design West will take place from June 15-28, 2024.

The programme facilitates both individual and collaborative approaches to the making of 2D and 3D design expressions, including visual communication, installations, abstract and environmental design.

We are looking for participants to engage with the local environment through observational studies (walking as research), the study of found objects, interactions between communities, landscape, and nature. We are giving participants the opportunity to explore new ideas through research and making in a unique environment. The programme will be led by a cross-disciplinary group of international tutors and professional technicians.

Design West at ATU Connemara is a catalyst to recharge your creativity by providing a unique facility, location, and experience outside your normal working environment.

Deadline for applications is Friday, May 24th 2024.

Apply
We look forward to welcoming both Irish and international students to Design West in June 2024. We value cultural diversity as well as the diverse talent and perspective each participant will bring. The programme will be conducted in English and collaboration across the following disciplines will be encouraged: typography (2D and 3D), graphic design, image-making, and the writing and making of books and journals.

Design West welcomes applicants from any undergraduate discipline, who have already achieved their bachelor’s degree. The course is delivered at master’s level. Participants have the option of achieving a Special Purpose Award on completion of the course. The award represents 10 credits at Level 9 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications www.nfq-qqi.com. Included in the assessment strategy will be the submission of a portfolio, precedent research and reflective writing on learning experiences.

A portfolio is required for application.
There is a maximum of 24 places available for the course. It is important for us to see examples of your work to help us make our final selection. In the application form please provide a link to your website or a pdf of your work which we can review. The course will conclude with an exhibition of works completed by participants over the two-week programme.

The course fee for 2024 is €1980.
The fee includes accommodation (individual room, shared living space, kitchen, bathroom), tuition, lectures, walking tours and workshop supervision. It does not include travel to and from the course or daily meals, however, participants will be invited to an opening and closing ceremony meal. Students should bring their own laptop and organise their own travel insurance.

Deadline for applications is Friday May 24, 2024.

For further information and applications please contact conorclarkegrafik@gmail.com

DesignSkillnet co-funding
We are delighted to share that co-funding of 25% of the programme fee is available via DesignSkillnet for eligible Ireland-based candidates only.

Find out more here: Design Skillnet co-funding. By applying for this programme you may be recontacted by our partner Design Skillnet in order to confirm your eligibility for co-funding on this course.

 

Curriculum
One-to-one and group instruction with leading Irish and international designers from the worlds of graphic design, architecture, product and furniture design.

Accommodation
Student apartments are situated near the college campus. These are of excellent quality and each participant will have their own room with shared living room and bathroom, 3 students per apartment. Fully equipped kitchen which includes a fridge, stove and microwave oven. The residence is two minutes walk from the college campus.

Food
The Course Fee does not include daily meals, except for the opening and closing dinners. However, the college campus is situated in the village of Letterfrack in Connemara, Co. Galway, an area full of restaurants and bars offering lunches and evening meals.

Location
ATU Connemara is the National Centre of Excellence for Furniture Design and Wood Technology and is in a beautiful setting at the entrance to Connemara National Park on the Wild Atlantic Way. It has been synonymous with the study of design since 1987 and has excellent workshops and facilities for all activities required at the Design West Summer School for 2024.

What To Bring
Laptop (MacBook Pro or PC equivalent)
Basic art materials
Camera and/or Smart Phone
Waterproof jacket and pants (moderate and hard hikes)
Hiking boots (preferably waterproof)
Hiking socks
Wooly Hat and/or Sun Hat
Swimming togs
Bathing Towels (not supplied at accommodation)
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Rucksack of around 25-30 litres capacity
Walking poles (optional)

For further information contact conor@designfactory.ie

Links
The Connemara Loop
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYknm0UkEdU
Love Connemara videos
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LagOCTsjvSs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij-7u6rMSEE
Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens | A drone in Connemara
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kIiu8gbL7Q
Wild Atlantic Way
www.wildatlanticway.com/home

State of the art facilities and equipment
The external campus buildings were designed by the internationally acclaimed O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, renowned for their work on other educational institutions such as the Saw Swee Hock student centre at the London School of Economics (2009). The ‘old building’ dates from the nineteenth century and has recently been restored and refurbished following conservation standards. ATU Connemara works proactively to limit the impact of its operations on the environment and to nurture principles of sustainability within its teaching and learning.

The ATU Connemara machine halls and bench rooms are fully equipped and include CNC and laser technology, as well as robotics. The laboratories and workrooms are designed as highly efficient environments. There are two fully equipped computer laboratories and WiFi throughout the campus.

 

 

Curriculum
One-to-one and group instruction with leading Irish and international designers from the worlds of graphic design, architecture, product and furniture design.

  • Juried reviews and guest lectures with noted international and local designers.
  • Workshop: Students explore diverse modes of 2D and 3D techniques through a variety of digital tools. Students are exposed to diverse design methodologies while experimenting with and exploring the properties of different materials. Supervised access to the ATU Connemara 3D workshops with CAD, CNC technology, laser equipment, robotics and digital manufacturing for the realisation of 2D and 3D design expressions.
  • Exploring Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way: Every afternoon guided walking tours and research trips will connect students with Connemara’s extraordinary landscape— Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, Killary Fjord, Inishturk Island, Renvyle and Clifden.
  • Portfolio Development: Focused workshops with leading Irish and international designers for the making of 2D and 3D design expressions, including visual communication, architecture, installations, abstract and environmental design. ATU Connemara technicians will also be available to assist students with the making of 3-dimensional design expressions using contemporary furniture manufacturing technologies.
  • Crits and Pin-Ups: Students engage in ‘desk crits’ with faculty and ‘pin-up’ reviews with their studio group. At the end of the programme, students produce a public group exhibition.

Accommodation
Student apartments are situated near the college campus. These are of excellent quality and each participant will have their own room with shared living room and bathroom, 3 students per apartment. Fully equipped kitchen which includes a fridge, stove and microwave oven. The residence is two minutes walk from the college campus.

Food
The Course Fee does not include daily meals, except for the opening and closing dinners. However, the college campus is situated in the village of Letterfrack in Connemara, Co. Galway, an area full of restaurants and bars offering lunches and evening meals.

Location
ATU Connemara is the National Centre of Excellence for Furniture Design and Wood Technology and is in a beautiful setting at the entrance to Connemara National Park on the Wild Atlantic Way. It has been synonymous with the study of design since 1987 and has excellent workshops and facilities for all activities required at the Design West Summer School for 2024.

What To Bring
Laptop (MacBook Pro or PC equivalent)
Basic art materials
Camera and/or Smart Phone
Waterproof jacket and pants (moderate and hard hikes)
Hiking boots (preferably waterproof)
Hiking socks
Wooly Hat and/or Sun Hat
Swimming togs
Bathing Towels (not supplied at accommodation)
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Rucksack of around 25-30 litres capacity
Walking poles (optional)

For further information contact conor@designfactory.ie

Links
The Connemara Loop
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYknm0UkEdU
Love Connemara videos
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LagOCTsjvSs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij-7u6rMSEE
Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens | A drone in Connemara
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kIiu8gbL7Q
Wild Atlantic Way
www.wildatlanticway.com/home

State of the art facilities and equipment
The external campus buildings were designed by the internationally acclaimed O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, renowned for their work on other educational institutions such as the Saw Swee Hock student centre at the London School of Economics (2009). The ‘old building’ dates from the nineteenth century and has recently been restored and refurbished following conservation standards. ATU Connemara works proactively to limit the impact of its operations on the environment and to nurture principles of sustainability within its teaching and learning.

The ATU Connemara machine halls and bench rooms are fully equipped and include CNC and laser technology, as well as robotics. The laboratories and workrooms are designed as highly efficient environments. There are two fully equipped computer laboratories and WiFi throughout the campus.