Designing Ireland

Angela and Sandra look back at Irish design, past and present, as they trace the beginnings of the modern Irish design. Long before words like ‘design’ or ‘brand’ were ever uttered in Ireland, we had our own unique way of doing and making things; traditional crafts and distinctive buildings told a uniquely Irish story. The first episode in the series features some of Ireland’s most accomplished traditional craft makers – from Joe Hogan’s basket designs to Seamus Gill’s silverwork – as well as Irish designers whose work has found a global audience, like Orla Kiely, and award-winning architects who talk about their Irish influences as they write the next chapter in Ireland’s design story.

As a former colony and island at the edge of Europe, outside influences have always shaped our history, our culture, and our design. Angela and Sandra look at how centuries of migration, invasion and colonisation have resulted in a constant ebb and flow of influence from abroad. We discover a modern take on the Norman Tower House on the campus of Trinity College; We learn how Dutch graphic designers shaped Ireland’s visual culture in the 1950s and how the Scandinavian Design Report in 1962 led to the setting up of the influential Kilkenny Design Workshops, bringing a wave of European designers to Ireland to help unlock a uniquely Irish design style. We see how Irish designers and architects embraced these outside influences and in time went on to influence others as we go inside the award-winning and celebrated Bocconi Institute in Milan, designed by Grafton Architects.

Episode 3 focuses on how Ireland’s wealth of beautiful materials and gorgeous landscapes influence Irish designers and makers. This episode showcases the most innovative and beautiful uses of Irish materials, from Helen O’Connell’s tactile stone sculptures in Kilkenny Limestone to Joseph Walsh’s stunning ash furniture that blurs the line between art and craft; from Mourne Textiles’ timeless use of wools and tweeds to Derek Wilson’s understated, elegant ceramics. We learn how the economy of Irish craft over the years has taught contemporary designers and architects the value of simplicity, using a small palette of quality materials to create beautifully-designed and made pieces.

The final episode explores the impact design has on our everyday lives, sometimes in ways we don’t realise, and uncovers the increasingly visible role that Irish architects and designers now play in a global design industry. It explores how Irish designers are using “design thinking” to improve our lives and our environment. It looks at some beautiful re-designs of urban and rural spaces and showcases international Irish design successes including international best-selling iPad digital baking assistant ‘The Drop’; ‘Moocall’, an innovative calving alert sensor for farmers; and the award-winning all-glass Mimetic House by architect Dominic Stevens.