Open Call: Designer in Residence Programme 2024

About 

Galway Culture Company (GCC), The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and the Local Enterprise Office Galway (LEO Galway) proudly celebrate the collaboration of design and the convergence of business worlds through this innovative initiative, the Designer in Residence Programme 2024.

This initiative will see the pairing of five talented graduate designers, all hailing from the West of Ireland, with five forward-thinking companies. Their mission? To collaboratively tackle real-world, intricate challenges—commonly known as “wicked problems.” Each graduate designer will partner with a senior member of their respective company, immersing themselves in the organisation’s mission, vision, and values. They will draw inspiration from these core principles to discover new solutions that address the pressing challenges faced by these businesses.

The outcomes of this partnership could manifest as innovative solutions for communication hurdles, streamlined systems, or research-driven insights. This collaboration is a unique opportunity for businesses to witness first-hand the immense value of design as a problem-solving tool, one that not only assists their operations but also wields significant strategic influence.

Upon completion, the final solutions will be formally unveiled or presented to the respective companies’ teams and employees. The graduate designers will guide the audience through the thought processes and strategies that led to these innovative solutions, reinforcing the powerful impact of design in addressing real-world challenges.

Support

As the representative body for the commercial design sector, IDI will provide support to those chosen by facilitating an initial kick-off workshop, discussing the role they will play, how to approach the client and how to develop a strong brief. Additionally, IDI will assist with pairing the chosen graduate designer with a mentor who can help guide critical decisions at set points through the project.

Who can apply? 

Applicants must be a graduate member of IDI (if not a member at the time of the Open Call, you can become a member today at this link). You must have graduated on or after 2020, and you are a residents of Galway (and surrounding area) only, or those who have studied in the region.

How to apply? 

It is free to apply and designers can submit up to 3 projects in a single PDF that contains additional info, project brief, images or other content you think relevant for the application and shows your problem solving skills. File sizes must be less than 10mb and PDF/Video format only.

Deadline

The deadline for the Open Call is 11th December 2023 @ 17:00 hrs. All applications must be made using this form and no other applications will be considered.

Key Dates

22nd November 2023. Open Call for Submissions
11th December 2023: Deadline for Submissions
08th January 2024. Announcement of Participants
January – March 2024: Project Underway. Kick-off webinar & pairing with mentors
April 2024: Final Solution Presented

Benefit

Each participant will receive €2000 for their time (50% paid at the outset with 50% on completion) and a further €1000 to cover the costs of materials/supplies.

Conditions

• The selection committee’s decision is final and canvassing will disqualify.
• Residents of Galway (and surrounding area) only, or those who have studied in the region.
• IDI Graduate members only – however membership is currently open to applications. See link here.
• All participants work will be showcased and promoted via IDI and The New Now social channels.
• Designers will be required to attend webinars and launch event online, and present the final work to the designated company, in person.
• Designers will be required to document the process for use in promotional activities.

If you require any assistance with any of the above information please email danielle@idi-design.ie