Graphic Design

A favourite aspect of my work is meeting my clients for the first time. Knowing little of their sector initially, I begin by discussing the design brief and through conversation a ‘personality’ starts to emerge from the business, the culture, the ethos, the employees, the service or product. Some are so passionate about the product that the energy and enthusiasm exude from them. Whether youthful and energetic or professional and organised these begin to tell a story that help to commence the design process.

With Carlow PPN, people and community were at the heart of the organisation and their work of informing, organising, mediating, facilitating and training community groups to become involved in the running of their county required a professional, inclusive, approachable style. The goal is to encourage the people of Carlow to take an interest in volunteering and participating on the boards of councils and committees, to affect positive change and ensure the running of a vibrant community.

The logo is the foundation block for any company. I began by creating their logo with the organisation, the community groups they wanted to talk to and these traits as the central focus. Using the style, colours and fonts that work with this new logo, I created marketing materials that complement the new branding. Carlow PPN brand guidelines, fonts and corporate colours were used throughout all marketing materials to create continuity, which is crucial to garner trust in the brand.

I created the Carlow PPN brand identity, stationery, website graphics, A4 folded to DL information leaflet, presentation folders, workshop and plenary posters, a twelve-page Strategic Plan. Working with the Wheel and Carlow PPN, I completed a thirty-four-page Community Consultation Toolkit for community groups that informs and teaches committees how to engage with interested parties and run successful meetings and events. I relished the challenge of using text, illustrations, white space and a clean structured layout to create a minimalist, contemporary document.

Using official Government brand guidelines and working closely with Carlow PPN and the Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes Section in the Department of Rural and Community Development, I created the 160 page Public Participation Network Annual Report. Tables and infographics were a key aspect used throughout the report in order to break up the text heavy details. The document included both an Irish and an English version with details of the work undertaken by the thirty-one PPNs that facilitate participation and representation of communities on local decision-making bodies around the country.

I’ve loved design for as long as I can remember. Back then I didn’t know anything about hierarchy, typography or other such wonderful words but instinctively had an eye for detail and saw alignments and appreciated the beauty and craft in great design. For the last 13 years I’ve studied visual communications and honed my skills in the sector. Communicating your message to your audience in a way that suits your personality and style, is a main objective and drive for me to be openminded, innovative, creative and most importantly listen to your needs and guide you to the best solution. With my experience, insight and understanding of your strategy, stakeholders and audience, I am confident we can achieve a design that works for you to inform people about who you are, to encourage growth within and for the company, to increase sales and deliver results.

I received my diploma with distinction and the Harrington Prize for Design Excellence from Waterford Institute of Technology, I continued my degree studies at Hereford College of Art and Design in England. After graduating I began my work in the design sector where I worked as an in-house designer for companies that created end to end products. All under one roof, we designed, printed and produced material for diverse areas, from shop fit outs, sign making, illuminated raised letters, paper marketing products and vehicle graphics. I learned a great deal about the materials, their functions and limitations which has allowed me to guide people to the correct medium when it comes to their marketing needs.

I set up Under the Oak Tree Designs in 2013. The name Under the Oak tree Designs came from Celtic mythology where the Oak symbolizes truth, courage, wisdom and in Celtic language the word for Oak ‘daur’ meaning ‘door’ was seen as a doorway to other worlds. In turn, I hope to create design that bridges the gap between your message and your audience. To create a connection to your product with a consistency staying true to your ethos, across all marketing materials from visual identity to social media posts. To establish your brand, to encourage growth and drive sales by providing a solution focused visual that exceeds expectations and gives value to your ambitions and aspirations.

As the end products are so varied, I continue to work with trusted professional partners in the industry which include printers, sign makers and installation service providers. This allows me to take on projects of any type and do what I love, which is to create the visual, while they provide the professional high-quality finish I require.