Oliver Jeffers is popularly known as a children’s books author and illustrator. His approach to this work is grounded in a consistently maintained fine art practice.
Neither Here nor There is a monograph edited by Richard Seabrooke which explores this side of his work, framed against Oliver’s relationship with the cities of New York and Belfast, and his collaborations with other artists.
An initiative of Dublin City Council, Pivot Dublin has established itself as a focus for design initiatives and created a resurgence of international interest in Irish design practice and output.
Working closely with the Pivot team, we created a map highlighting the many interesting and independent places that Dublin has to offer. The map shows things to see and do, places to eat and drink, alongside great shops in the city centre. The core team’s selection is augmented by contributions from a group of designers who live and work in Dublin.
The locations shown on the map double as its distribution network, which grows as recommendations are gathered through a parallel online version.
The online map is tailored for the mobile experience, and can be installed as a webapp on iOS devices.
‘In commissioning Conor & David to produce a Dublin city centre map identifying design points – from shops to experiences – we knew the outcome would be an exceptional piece of design. But we also hoped to have fun and enjoy the collaborative process. Our expectations have been well met!’
— Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect, Pivot Dublin
Starting in September 2013, Roads Publishing will present a beautifully realised series of classics, launching with ten titles and continuing to release more books in the series at regular intervals. Roads Publishing is part of the broader Roads Group — a lifestyle and homewares brand that aspires to create practical products of art.
Having devised an iconic framework for the classics covers, we populated it with our original illustration, collage, painting and photography.
‘Conor & David are exceptional designers. Each design is backed by a deeply intelligent thought process, a sensitivity for the world it represents and a very precise empathy for the end viewer. I am very proud of the work they have produced for us.’
— Danielle Ryan, CEO, Roads Luxury Group Ltd.
As part of the ongoing development of the historic centre of Kilkenny City, GKMP architects created a plaza and kiosk on the pedestrian approach to Kilkenny Castle. One side of the kiosk is given over to an information ‘lightwall’, which we designed.
On it are detailed maps of the city and county, on which destinations of note are highlighted. Each destination has a short bilingual description, GPS co-ordinates and a map key. At the castle end of the lightwall there is a short local history, and a screen to show topical information regarding news, festivals and events.
The familiar visual language of directional signage is extended to the iconic depiction of the destinations.
‘We were delighted with the finished product which answered the brief in a very clear and salient manner.’
— Grace Keeley, GKMP Architects
Studio Craft & Technique is written as a reference and primer for undergraduate architecture students. Based on the belief that technology is at the heart of design studies, this book encourages students to think of design and technology as an integrated whole.
We worked closely with the authors to create a useful, memorable and desirable object that would help young architects develop sound working habits as they begin life in the studio.
Studio Craft & Technique has been added to the Department of Architecture and Design’s Permanent collection at The Art Institute of Chicago.
‘Conor & David made the whole process seamless and enjoyable by bringing their enthusiasm and love for their work to the table every time we met.’
— Miriam Delaney & Anne Gorman
Pallas Projects/Studios is an artist-run organisation dedicated to the facilitation of artistic production and discourse, via the provision of affordable artists studios in the city centre, and curated projects.
We enjoy a rewarding ongoing relationship with PP/S. We helped them to reorganise divergent logos and styles into a single more concise identity, and have produced a series of small publications as well as their website.
‘We came to Conor & David with the need to consolidate previous identities. What they achieved was a strong clarity of presence across web, logotype, signage and ongoing printed matter that allows us to pitch our ambition of practice to a level commensurate with international-standard contemporary visual arts organisations.’
— Gavin Murphy, Founder, PP/S
The School of Architecture in UCD took in its first students in 1911. In the intervening century, the school has established and maintained a reputation for producing graduates who make their mark on the built environment internationally.
The centenary celebrations in 2011 were as much about the formative moments as the grand achievements, and our work approached the centenary as a milestone rather than a end point. We designed a core mark with a dot for each of the 2,047 B.Arch graduates, and a ceiling installation made up of their names. We also created a customised typeface, website and yearbook, each connected to the centenary and present in equal measure.
Over the course of a summer, we worked with a team from the school to design a special commemorative piece to mark the centenary. The ceiling (built and installed by the 2012 graduating class) shows the name of each of the 2,047 graduates.
The centenary yearbook is a special edition of the school yearbook that we have produced since 2009. These yearbooks (2009—2012) have been added to the Department of Architecture and Design’s Permanent collection at The Art Institute of Chicago.
We created a timeline website for the school. Instead of a homepage, a stream of events — starting at the present and stretching back as far as the appointment of the first chair in 1909 — shows a long history and an active present.
A parallel mobile version of the website can be installed as a webapp on iOS devices.
‘In a way that is rare, Conor & David made the whole process of understanding what we were trying to do, showing us how it could be done and getting it done seem both effortless and enjoyable. As always, their work was characterised by its precision, lucidity and grace.’
— Professor Hugh Campbell, Dean & Head of School, UCD Architecture
