Design West 2023

An alternative map to exploring Inis Óirr island.

In the summer of 2023, I attended the Design West Summer School in Letterfrack, Connemara. The two-week programme gave me a space to play, discover new design techniques, reflect on my practice, adventure, and create a personal project.

This project was inspired by the incredible natural landscapes in the west of Ireland, but more specifically the rock pools on Inis Óirr island. Exploring these rock pools in various locations around the island led me to create an alternative map to discover Inisheer. The map is targeted at visiting families and tourists, and also includes a collection of postcards and stamps to document their time there.

The map was created in a physical manner, using unique paper-folding techniques, hand-drawn illustrations, Risograph printing, and letterpress printing. It comes together to tell a colourful, friendly story about the special landscape and inhabitants of Inis Óirr island.

Postcards were printed using Risograph followed by letterpress printing to add text and texture.