The Digital Hub opens call for first Designer-in-Residence

The Digital Hub has opened applications for its first-ever Designer-in-Residence programme, with an opportunity for a six-month residency commencing in May 2024.

The residency will be based at The Digital Hub campus in Dublin 8 and will focus on engaging the ecosystem of technologists and creatives who are developing innovation in health, wellbeing, technology and content.

The residency includes a focus on exploration, collaboration and innovation, with the selected designer working with The Digital Hub, the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and surrounding organisations to develop and execute innovative design led engagements.

The residency looks to develop and create innovative products or services that address real-life challenges in health and wellbeing.

The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to curate events as well as participating in research projects and programmes to enhance the profile and skill levels in design in The Digital Hub ecosystem.

Stephen Brennan, Head of Strategy and Partnerships at The Digital Hub said:

“Launching our first Designer-in-Residence programme gives forward-thinking designers the opportunity to collaborate with our extensive ecosystem and develop real-world projects that will have a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“Exploring innovation through design and technology to advance the health of our surrounding community is a key focus for The Digital Hub, and our newest residency offers an ideal opportunity to expand this work.”

The Digital Hub has a track record in curating inspiring and game-changing creative technological solutions for its member companies and researchers.

As the location of the Design Lab in partnership with NCAD and HSE Spark, The Digital Hub is making significant progress in placing design at the heart of the digital technology and content ecosystem.

The Digital Hub has played host to previous residency programmes over recent years including a Technologist-in-Residence and Artist-in-Residence, both of which have been successful at exploring the intersection of art and technology.

Award-winning artist Leon Butler brought his expertise in design and collaborative art projects to develop a digital model of the local liberties area of Dublin 8 and its ecosystems during his time as The Digital Hub’s most recent Artist-in-Residence.

Leon’s work was built on data collected from sensors deployed by The Digital Hub’s former Technologist-in-Residence Patrick Lynch, who undertook a project focused on collating data on air quality, traffic levels and pollution in the area.

Speaking on his residency, Patrick Lynch said:

“During my time as the Tech-in-Residence, I was able to become ingrained in the local community through innovative projects monitoring the surrounding ecosystem.

“Beyond that, the programme enabled me to hone my skillset in areas of engineering and technical development, all while giving me access to connect with an incredible network of researchers and entrepreneurs located at The Digital Hub.

“I’m truly grateful for the time I spent as Technologist-in-Residence and would encourage anyone with an interest in areas such as product and UX/UI design to apply for this unique upcoming residency.”

The Designer-in-Residence programme aims to enable designers to engage in real-world projects, ground-breaking research and interdisciplinary collaborations between the thriving ecosystem of enterprise, research, innovation and creative organisations at The Digital Hub and its surrounding network.

Benefits of the programme include access to The Digital Hub facilities, an office/studio space on campus, networking opportunities with current member companies at The Digital Hub and access to a cutting-edge community in the field of innovation and technology.

Total funding for the successful applicant will be in the region of €15,000 which will include fees and project costs.

Interested applicants should have direct experience in applying design methods to real-world challenges.

Applicants must be a resident in Ireland or Europe and must be available to commence the residency from May 2024 and have a regular presence on campus at The Digital Hub.

More information about the Designer-in-Residence programme and application process can be found here.