Local graduates and designers have been putting the Midwest on the map, with a string of creative achievements that highlight the wealth of talent in the region.
Rebecca Marsden, Manager of Forge Design Factory at Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD), says this regional talent is putting Irish design to the fore across the globe.
Forge is a design and learning hub which unites students, teachers, researchers and industry and is an initiative of Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest and University of Limerick, partnering with local authorities in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
Marsden said: “The recent achievements of Michael Stewart, Hugo Byrne, Sam Gleeson and Olivia Humphreys highlight the breadth of design talent in the region, with designers drawing on the staggering beauty of the Midwest for inspiration, choosing to further their education here, and representing Ireland on the global stage with cutting-edge design.
“These four designers and craftspeople, in particular, are contributing to a global dialogue on the value of innovation, sustainability and human connection through design. It’s a wonderful testament to what can be achieved when the conditions are in place to allow talent like this to flourish.
Michael Stewart’s ‘Standing Ground’ made waves last week, stealing headlines at London Fashion Week. Clare native Stewart, the designer behind the label that has dressed Beyoncé and other A-listers, graduated from LSAD in 2013, and recently won the prestigious LVMH “Savoir Faire” award. This €200,000 award acknowledges excellence in craftsmanship and innovation within the fashion industry, marking a huge milestone for the designer.
Irish craftsmanship continues to gain recognition on the international stage elsewhere, with knife makers Hugo Byrne and Sam Gleeson currently representing Ireland at Homo Faber 2024 in Venice. The pair, based in Limerick and Clare respectively, are part of the exhibition curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship. Byrne, a recipient of the Design and Crafts Council Future Maker Award, and Gleeson, a past winner of the RDS Craft Award, are dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of knife-making. Their work, on display in Venice alongside contemporary artisans from over 70 countries, highlights a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Also pushing Irish ingenuity into the spotlight is Olivia Humphreys, a University of Limerick Product Design and Technology graduate and winner of the 2024 Irish Dyson Award for her ground-breaking design Athena. Inspired by her mother’s experience with cancer, Athena is a portable, battery-operated scalp-cooling device designed to prevent hair loss in chemotherapy patients. Unlike traditional devices, Athena offers patients greater mobility and ease, providing up to 3.5 hours of cooling on-the-go. This innovation is set to make a tangible difference in the lives of many, offering patients comfort and dignity during treatment.
Marsden concluded: “The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs for Government have identified that design is an important driver of economic growth, integral to both industry and society. It adds strategic value, creative thinking and innovation from the earliest stages of development through to the final delivery of products and services.
“Continued support and recognition of the vital role design plays is key to ensuring the region continues to thrive and command its global reach.”