The visit included a triple-bill of events designed to connect professionals, students, and the wider creative community: a flagship talk at ICC Belfast, a studio visit with students at Ulster University’s Belfast campus, and a relaxed ‘Unplugged’ session at the Harp Bar, where final year students showcased their work.
Rapid Sessions 006 – ICC Belfast
Brian joined a packed audience at the ICC, joined by Mary Doherty, founder of Red Dog and a leading figure in Irish design, for an informal, inspiring discussion on the power of storytelling and brand thinking. The session attracted a broad creative community and served as a thought-provoking launchpad for the day’s activities.
Studio Visit – Belfast School of Art
Following the morning session, Brian visited the Graphic Design studios on the fourth floor of Ulster University’s Belfast campus. He met with final year, second year, and placement students from the BDes (Hons) Graphic Design course, as well as students from Digital Design and Illustration.
Students had the opportunity to share their portfolios, receive individual feedback, and take part in a wider group discussion with Brian and the course team, exploring themes around course branding and preparations for their upcoming End of Year Show.
Unplugged – Harp Bar student showcase
The day concluded with Rapid Sessions Unplugged at Belfast’s Harp Bar - a relaxed evening gathering featuring live presentations from three final-year Graphic Design students: Niamh Greene, Courtney Cromie, and Jack Blaney.
Each student spoke about their creative journeys and showcased work from their final year portfolios, including a live project developed in partnership with the Rathlin Island community.
This project, part of the Future Island-Island initiative funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), explored themes of sustainable development and cultural identity through visual storytelling and design. It forms part of a wider research collaboration between Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, The Glasgow School of Art, and University of the Arts London, with support from the Design Museum’s Future Observatory.
Rapid Sessions 006 – A Celebration of Creativity
From keynote talks to hands-on feedback and student showcases, the event underscored the power of design to connect people, communities, and ideas. For students, it was an unforgettable moment - and a chance to share their work with a creative branding icon.
