Into the West! Meet four Designers who made the move….
Steve Simpson, Daniel Staines, Louise McGettigan, and Karen Pappin speak about their experiences living and working in the West of Ireland
“I moved out West last year, we bought an old farmhouse on a couple of acres in East Galway” Steve Simpson, East Galway
“My clients are from all over the world, so the remoteness doesn’t cause any issues. I’m really interested in using new technology to bridge the gap created by real world physical distance...” Daniel Staines, North Sligo
“I decided to study for an MA in Service Design at NCAD alongside my job in Donegal as an Occupational Therapist with the HSE. I can see from the inside out where the opportunities are for better design thinking in our public services.” Louise McGettigan, Ramelton, Donegal
“As I write this, the sun is shining, with the Burren hills and Galway Bay in the distance, and I know I made the right choice...” Karen Pappin, Kinvara, Galway
Meet Steve Simpson, East Galway
Steve Simpson is an award-winning illustrator based in Ireland, whose iconic style has allowed his illustrations to appear on everything from one inch postage stamps to 200ft screens in Times Square. Steve moved to Galway a year ago.
"I moved out West last year, we bought an old farmhouse on a couple of acres in East Galway. I guess at the time we started looking, it was on the back of Covid and living in the centre of Dublin really didn’t feel the same anymore. One of the first things I’d loved about being out in Dublin was just how safe it felt – but it didn’t feel safe anymore, it was starting to feel dangerous and once you sense that, it’s difficult to shake it. So, moving out wasn’t too difficult a decision. I’ve always enjoyed gardening (I really needed more than 2 sq metres of plastic grass in D2) and loved the idea of being semi self-sufficient (at least for part of the year).
We have a cabin to work from (fibre optic broadband arrived 6 months ago), I have a huge 5x15m greenhouse full of veg and a raised beds area. The previous owner had livestock and very little in the way of a garden so that has been a project – we have probably planted around 100 trees so far and plan to turn one field into a wooded area with a large pond. There’s plenty to keep me busy )
Forty years ago I had just dropped college to take up a dream job working in an animation studio in Manchester. Six years later I was freelance and took a 2-week job in Dublin as a storyboard artist – this was the end of 1990 and I liked the place and the people so much I ended up staying.
I’ve been self-employed pretty much ever since but by the mid 90’s had swapped the animation industry for Illustration and graphic design. Being self-employed has allowed me great freedom to work/collaborate with amazing brands (big and small). I’ve been fortunate to give talks and workshops in countries right across the globe. Over the years the industry has changed considerably, and we have had to either adapt or get out.
I’ve always enjoyed a challenge however the advent of AI had really left me wondering if I had the energy to keep doing this. The idea of semi-retirement, tending the garden and feeding chickens really sounded like the Good Life for me. But I’m not ready for that – I feel like I’ve taken a well earned rest and I’m feeling re-energised again, ready for what ever challenges the industry now faces.
Currently I’m busy designing toys – have a range of whimsical toy cars called Crazy Motors with Djeco and also working on new figurines. A greater percentage of my projects are coming from the toys industry in recent years – they say to work in this industry you need to remember how you felt when playing with toys as a child – maybe this is why I’m enjoying it so much – as Walt Disney once said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” )
We are still settling into the West and thoroughly enjoying country life. Haven’t engaged yet with other creatives/communities. Dublin is 2 /2.5 hrs away depending on city traffic so haven’t been getting involved as much (at all?!?!) as I used to. I’m running my first workshop in 5 years @LuvinLetters_indesign in October in Dublin and very much looking forward to that. Hopefully after that I can start engaging with local events and we’ve been talking about running workshops from the farm once we have finished renovating the sheds."
Meet Daniel Staines, North Sligo
Daniel Staines is a co-founder and former Creative Director of Algorithm, Ireland’s leading immersive design studio. In January 2024, he left to follow his dream of establishing a creative studio in north Sligo focused on developing sustainable projects using local creative talent and technology.
"If someone asked me what type of designer, I am – It’s hard to say (as with most designers!) but right now I would say I am a mixed media designer whose work generally focuses on digital-physical hybrids.
I’m constantly shifting between mediums, and this really suits me. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, which, in retrospect, explains a lot. I tend to enjoy learning a lot of deep knowledge about an approach or discipline and then moving onto the next thing.
The output of my work tends to be large-scale installations that are dynamic and evolve over time via animation, lighting, or interaction. These often accompany live music or real-time audience input.
I’ve always been fascinated with experience design and human perception, and how combining different technologies with space can create the illusion of complexity in the brain.
I’ve been visiting Sligo for the last 25 years; my mother is from Sligo, and my grandfather, Plunkett Flanagan, had a shop on the High Street. I spent 15 years living in Smithfield, Dublin, and although I loved the buzz, as I get older, I crave space and being closer to nature. My clients are from all over the world, so the remoteness is not a hindrance, and I’m really interested in using new technology to bridge the gap created by real world physical distance.
Travel is the big challenge at the moment, as I still need to be in Dublin quite a bit for both my work and personal life, and most of my international travel has been through Dublin. I aim to use Knock Airport more going forward and also look at taking my bike on the train instead of driving when travelling to Dublin which wastes a lot of time which I could be using to work.
The main advantage is having the flexibility to design your practice and approach more freely without the challenges of Dublin, such as lack of space and high cost of living. I also think cities by their nature impose themselves on the creative mind, which is great if you are creating work for that city. However, now that I’m focused on international clients, the natural surroundings of the west provide a more neutral backdrop for creating my projects.
From my experience, the main things required to achieve great creative outcomes in the West would be support, collaboration, and joined-up thinking. Resources can be much better spent if everyone is aware of what is happening and are part of the discussion about how they are used and shared.
I would love to see a clear plan for how the west coast region will develop. Many areas of media production are converging, and the advent of AI means that many old ways of working need updating. A lot could be gained from creating a network of centres of excellence that provide knowledge, training, and technological support to companies, designers, and artists. These should be open to the public and very welcoming. An important aspect would be the development of expert teams with practical knowledge of emerging technology who could be hired into commercial projects. This would allow many more people access to technology and tools and ensure that works produced in Ireland are of the highest possible standard in terms of technical direction and new technology integration."
Meet Louise McGettigan, Ramelton, Donegal
Louise McGettigan is Senior Occupational Therapist (OT) in the Donegal Mental Health Services, where she supports adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties to improve their quality of life through engagement in meaningful occupations. Louise decided to study for an MA in Service Design at NCAD so she can bring these skills back to the Health Service in Donegal.
"I discovered Service Design last year, and it’s significantly impacted my life and career. I'm a Senior Occupational Therapist in Donegal Mental Health Services, helping adults with severe mental health issues improve their quality of life through meaningful activities like baking, swimming, and yoga. I’ve always been passionate about service development and making sessions engaging. Collaborating with external agencies, I bring new group programs to our services. Seeking new challenges, I found a Professional Diploma in Service Design at NCAD and was thrilled to receive a HSE Spark Innovation Programme bursary. The course was incredibly fulfilling, leaving me eager for more.
During the Professional Diploma, I realized a year wasn’t enough to fully embrace design thinking. I’ve worked on projects like redesigning the Mater Hospital’s Hysteroscopy service. Service Design aligns with my belief that service providers and users should co-design services. With experience across multiple industries, I’ve seen the best and worst of service design. Thanks to a scholarship, I’ll continue with a two-year MA in Service Design to enhance my skills and apply them in Donegal. I aim to inspire colleagues to co-create a service that benefits everyone.
Originally from Letterkenny, I sought city life but returned to Donegal in 2016 for a permanent OT post. Traveling the county for work, I fell in love with its beaches, forests, and wildlife. Though tempted to move south, my heart is in Donegal, where my husband and I decided to settle.
Though new to design, I discovered many local designers in my extended family and through my lecturer, Caoimhe McMahon. Joining the IDI Living West Designer’s Forum and the HSE Spark Community of Practice has connected me.
Public service innovation and funding are centered in Dublin, attracting top talent and hosting most training and education. Traveling to Dublin for these can be costly and time-consuming. However, remote working and studying have been game changers, allowing me to complete my Service Design Diploma from home.
Living in Ramelton, a historical village near Letterkenny, gives a strong sense of community. The slower pace, friendly people, and stunning nature, including kayaking, fishing, and hiking, are unparalleled. The local culture of creativity, with live music and art, adds to the charm. Donegal’s welcoming and humorous people make it a special place to live.
Ireland's Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services is a promising initiative. Designers can significantly enhance public services with their creative problem-solving skills. Building design networks through IDI and Spark is crucial for a thriving design workforce. The private sector has long valued design; now, it’s time for the public sector to follow suit."
Meet Karen Pappin, Kinvara, Galway
Karen Pappin is a Brand Storyteller and Graphic Designer. Originally from Dublin, Karen moved west 3 years ago to establish a new business and a new way of life. Inspired by the nature, community & creativity of Galway, Karen has now made the village of Kinvara home, leaning into more local clients & projects with her agency Point Zero.
"My background is in brand design, and I ran my own design business for about 20 years (where did that time go?). It was a hands-on design business working for, well, everyone who asked.
Two weeks before Covid hit, I decided to close my design business to start something new, not knowing what that might be (or that a pandemic was on the horizon).
I used the pandemic to my advantage by moving to Zoom calls and getting involved in online learning. I completed a Master’s at LSAD and a Graduate Certificate at The UCD Innovation Academy. I continued to retrain, learn, and educate myself. Eventually, my new company, Point Zero, was born. It took some time to get used to calling myself a brand storyteller, but it accurately describes what I do. As my tagline states, I help people, businesses, and organizations understand and tell their stories. I combine hands-on design with strategy, giving my clients the service and confidence to tell their own stories.
Moving to Kinvara was an intuitive decision. I left Dublin almost three years ago, driven by a feeling that I needed a change. After a year in Oughterard, I knew I’d found the right county, but I longed to be near the sea, which led me to Kinvara.
As I write this, the sun is shining, with the Burren hills and Galway Bay in the distance, and I know I made the right choice. I often remind myself how fortunate I am to live here. It feels completely different from my previous life in the East, but I realize I’ve been seeking this way of life my whole life. It’s the combination of the house, the air, the light, the landscape, and the community that makes it so special. The people here are incredibly friendly and have welcomed me like a local. With so much happening here, it was easy to find community groups and projects to join, which has made all the difference. Market day on Friday is now a highlight, where I take my wicker basket and catch up with neighbours.
I’ve discovered a lot of creative people around here; everyone seems to be an artist, writer, poet, or performer. While I haven’t found a large community of graphic designers, I believe there are talented designers working quietly in the background.
Since moving to Kinvara, I’ve noticed a shift in my focus towards clients and resources in the West. Initially, I still had ties to the East, but now I’m fully invested in building relationships with West-based clients, printers, and suppliers, which takes time. There’s potential for a strong design community here, but with many events and workshops centred in Dublin, it will take effort to shift the focus west of the Shannon.
One of the main challenges I’ve encountered is realizing what I missed by working alone for so many years. It’s the exchange of knowledge, technology tips, and updates that come from working with others, as well as the simple joy of having people to chat with during the day. I’m seeking a balance, enjoying the freedom and challenge of managing multiple projects while also exploring teaching and on-site work with clients for the camaraderie and knowledge sharing. I learned about a “Portfolio Career” during my Grad Cert, which involves doing various things and calling it a career. This concept suits me perfectly, and it’s what I’m aiming to build next.
Another challenge is the distance. In Dublin, everything was nearby, but here, I have to drive everywhere. Sometimes it’s manageable, but other times driving to Galway or Limerick feels daunting. An online community and West-based in-person events would help bridge this gap.
Living here isn’t for everyone; it’s often idealised, but some might find it challenging. However, I’ve always wanted this lifestyle. The darkness at night, the slower pace, the silence, and the vibrant social life all suit me. I’ve had more visitors here than ever before, and I love it. The connection to the landscape is crucial; it inspires and informs my creativity, and the abundance of art and creativity around me influences my work as well.
I envision a defined Design Community of the West, with a unique sensibility. Many of us moved here for the landscape, lifestyle, and change, so we should harness this and develop our own design language. While design meet-ups are great, we need to account for distance, so online options are essential.
A directory of trusted resources and designers would be helpful for those moving here. Small business supports are always necessary, and I haven’t always known what’s available to me as a sole trader, so better awareness of these supports would be beneficial. I believe there is a strong design community here, but I need help finding and connecting with them, and I’m eager to do so."