Design Skillnet - Inspiring Today. Transforming Tomorrow.

Yesterday marked the finale of our Catalyst Onboarding Pilot Programme, a journey we’ve been proud to develop in collaboration with Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and @thebravelab Over the last six months a group of mentors and mentees from @designworks_dublin , @millimetredesign , @boxclever_ie , TVM and @iris_racing_ have dedicated their time and efforts to their professional growth and, by extension, the growth of the agencies they work for. The final session was all about reflection on their journeys and sharing feedback on the challenges overcome, the skills acquired and the benefits that come from developing and maintaining a culture of learning. It’s been an incredible six months of learning and evolution. Seeing everyone come together yesterday to share their feedback and receive their certificates of completion was the perfect way to wrap up this pilot. A huge thank you to all the programme participants and sponsors for your energy, honesty and commitment to making this journey a success. #mentorshipprogramme #mentors #mentees #learningculture #professionalgrowth

Stop profit leaks! Charge what your work is worth. If you find yourself: - Over-servicing your clients - Feeling "expensive" when you say your price out loud - Or watching your profit margins vanish into "just one quick change" requests... ...it’s time for a shift. Smarter Pricing for Creatives isn't just theory; it’s a hands-on session designed to give you a repeatable system for better profit margins. 🗓 Fri, 1st May 💻 Online 9.30-11.30am 👉 Find out more and book your place 🔗 via the link in bio 💸 Subsidies available for members of @theinteriorsassociation @idi_ireland @100archive @iapi_updates @creative_icad

Does chasing payments and managing cash flow feel like the "unfun" part of your creative business? It doesn't have to be. Join our Designed for Profit workshop on 25th March to take control of your numbers and get practical money moves in just 2 hours. ✨ You'll walk away with: - A 'Profit First' structure - so you actually get paid! - A clear understanding of your break-even point - A polite but firm script to chase overdue invoices - 5 Small Money Moves you can implement immediately Are you ready to feel confident about your numbers? 📅 Wed, 25th March ⏰ 9.30 to 11.30AM (online) 👉 Find out more and book your place 🔗 via the link in bio 💸 Subsidies available for members of @theinteriorsassociation @idi_ireland @100archive @iapi_updates @creative_icad #DesignBusiness #CreativeBusiness #DesignProfit #CreativeIndustry

Did you know that 92% of clients can’t recall their agency’s specific positioning? In an oversaturated market, many agencies rely on the same generic buzzwords and vague specialisms. The result? Clients often see design partners as interchangeable service providers rather than strategic partners. So what’s going wrong with agency differentiation? And how can agencies better articulate their unique value to move from generic “vendor” to strategic partner? 🤔 What do clients really think about agency pitches, creativity, collaboration, value for money and building strong client–agency relationships? What wider challenges are they facing— from the impact of AI to growing internal pressures and the need to adapt at pace? 💡 Find out directly from 700 clients at our exclusive preview of Up to the Light’s eagerly anticipated What Clients Think Report 2026 with Jonathan Kirk. Now in its 12th year, this highly respected annual report offers a fascinating snapshot of the client–agency relationship. Jonathan will explore what designers and creatives can do better to build stronger, more effective partnerships, based on the 2026 research. It will give you invaluable insight into your clients’ world, helping you sharpen your offer for 2026 and win more of the right clients. 📈 🗓 This Thursday, March 5th 💻 Online | 10–11am 🎟 Secure your spot via the link in bio 🔗 💸 Complimentary for members of @theinteriorsassociation @idi_ireland @100archive @creative_icad and @iapi_updates €25 non-members #clientrelationships #designagency #agencypositioning #whatclientsthink #designstrategy #creativebusiness

Master the client/agency relationship! 👌🏻📈 💚 Find out what clients really think about design and design agencies and how to make them love you. Join us for an exclusive preview of Up to the Light ‘What Clients Think’ report when design strategist Jonathan Kirk will give us an exclusive preview of the report’s highlights, based on 700 real clients inights and how to: 🟢 Shape your offer for 2026 🟢 Sharpen new business activity and pitches 🟢 Grow clients’ business 🟢 Improve collaboration and a sense of partnership 🔍Alongside detailed evidence and analysis of the client/agency relationship, this year’s report also explores clients’ wider business challenges, including the impact of AI, increasing internal pressures and the growing need to adapt and change at pace. '𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵-𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳. 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘪𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘳-𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 ‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬’ 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳... 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘬𝘦𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.’ Jamie Helly, Founder & Chairman @Dynamo_design The report is one of the most invaluable sources of information, evidence and insight for agencies' brand positioning and clients' strategy. 🗓 March 5th 💻 Online 10-11am 🪑 Secure your seat now via the link in our bio ☝ 💸 The event is complimentary to members of the @interiorsassociation @idi_ireland @100archive @creative_icad @iapi_updates | €25 non members #clientrelationship #designclients #designagency #whatclientsthink @design.opp @dublindesign @thearchitecturediary @dccireland @jamiehelly @SkillnetIreland @cciskillnet

Stepping into management (or back into it) and leading creatives? It’s time to Take the Lead. Our 2-day online workshop helps new (or returning) people managers build the confidence, skills and mindset to lead creative teams effectively. ✨ What you’ll gain: • Clarity on your role as a creative leader • Practical tools for feedback, delegation & communication • Strategies to build trust, autonomy & shared purpose • Ways to support neurodiverse thinking and create psychologically safe environments 📅 Mar 5th & 12th 👉 Find out more and book your place 🔗 via the link in bio 💸 Subsidies available for members of @theinteriorsassociation @idi_ireland @100archive @iapi_updates @creative_icad

Ready to turn your design skills into a real, sustainable business? Turning creative talent into a sustainable, profitable practice takes more than great work. It requires clarity on pricing, structure around planning and confidence in winning clients. Join our Starting Your Design Business (2-part workshop) 📅 Feb 27th and Mar 6th This practical programme covers: • Legal setup • Pricing fundamentals • Business planning • Client acquisition If you're launching, recently launched and want solid foundations from the start or want to strengthen your current business set up, this workshop will help you build a viable, sustainable design business. 👉 Find out more and book your place 🔗 via the link in bio 💸 Subsidies available for members of @theinteriorsassociation @idi_ireland @100archive @iapi_updates #DesignBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #FreelanceDesigner #DesignCareer #CreativeIndustry

ℹ️ Information Session 🟩 Professional Certificate in Service Design 🟡 The Professional Certificate in Service Design is back! Service Design is a vital skillset for addressing the challenges of today’s experience economy. 🚀 Service designers are uniquely equipped to develop innovative solutions to complex systemic and societal issues; crafting experiences that respond to the diverse needs of multiple users and stakeholders and transforming industries in the process. Co-created with @creativefuturesacademy (CFA) at the National College of Art & Design (@ncad_dublin ), this six-week blended programme equips you with the core principles, methods and tools of service design to help you excel in your future career. 🗓 Starts March 20th. Through the lenses of People, Data and Systems, the certificate: 🔎 Explores the factors that determine the usability and effectiveness of designed services ⚙️📚 Combines theory with hands-on practice, including: 🟣 Fundamental principles, methods, skills and theories of service design 🟣 Professional practice — historical, cultural, theoretical and industry contexts 🟣 Practical methodologies for professional development, presentation and documentation ⏩ Expand your impact beyond products and visuals into meaningful system-level change and future-proof your skills with service-led, human-centred design. 📆 Join our FREE Information Session with Programme Lead Jennifer Groarke 🗓 Thursday 19th Feb ⏰ 1–2pm 🖱️ Register via Zoom — link in bio 👆🏻 💸 Subsidies available for members of: @theinteriorsassociation @100archive @creative_icad @iapi_updates @idi_ireland @interiorsassociation #creativefutures #ServiceDesign #servicedesigner #DesignSkillnet @dccireland

Every time a customer interacts with you, they're deciding whether to come back, refer or replace you. With a five star customer experience (CX) you don’t only keep clients happy, you: ✅️ Build your reputation ✅️ Create loyalty and advocacy (hello free word of mouth marketing) ✅️ Drive repeat work and revenue 🎯 Turn your client experience into a growth strategy. This industry-led workshop covers how to: • Manage and exceed client expectations • Spot warning signs, handle difficult moments and pushbacks • Apply recovery strategies when service delivery goes off track • Build trust, satisfaction and long-term client relationships • Lead teams and collaborators to deliver consistent service excellence • Turn satisfied clients into loyal ambassadors for your work Join us this Thurs 🗓 Feb 12th 10am-1pm 🔗 Tickets via the link in bio Subsidies available for IDI, 100 Archive, ICAD, IAPI and Interiors Association members. #designclient #clientrelationship #designagency

🟢 #ThrowBackThursday We’re still buzzing from last week Design Leaders Conference. 💚 HUGE thanks to all our speakers, the @idi_ireland and @designskillnet Teams behind the event @Charlotte_Barker_pro , Niamh O'Shaughnessy, Charlotte Haffner, Lisa Ghiringhelli, Jennifer Henderson, Lisa Sweeney, Deirdre McBeth 🏠 Our venue the @lighthousecinema , 🤝 Event management team @spark.theeventsagency led by Jennifer McCormac 🖌Designers Cliodhna Ryan @cli.design , Deirdre Corcoran, Lara Hanlon @100archive and Mary Doherty 🎥 Videography Team @lorg_media 📷 Photographer @paulsherphoto1 and all of you in the audience. Full photo album available on Design Skillnet Facebook page. Roundup of the day coming soon. #DesignLeadersConf

ℹ️ Info session 📢  Build your Career in UX! Find guidance from UX Experts from HubSpot, Workday, Pfizer, Workhuman, Friday, Vhi Healthcare and more 🌳 Join the @UX.Tree Mentorship Programme - a career development initiative designed to elevate your UX skills and kickstart your professional journey in UX Design. 🚀 🎓 The 4-month program is project-based, providing hands-on experience on real-world projects under the mentorship of industry professionals. 📈 How it helps you to build your career: ✔Enhance your UX skills: Research, Interaction Design, and Prototyping. ✔Gain insights into UX workplace culture ✔Develop professional and soft skills: Communication, Collaboration, Leadership Ready to blossom in your UX career? 🌿 Discover how the UX Tree Mentorship Programme can pave the way for your success!  ℹ️ Join our info session tomorrow at 12pm 📅 Starts Feb 9th 2026 Subsidised rates available for members of @IDI_Ireland @creative_icad @iapi_updates through @DesignSkillnet . 🔗 Link in Bio ☝️ #UXTree #UXTreementorship #uxmentor #uxmentoring #UXCareer

🟢What a day yesterday at the Design Leaders Conference! ⚡️ The Light House Cinema was buzzing with big ideas, but it was the insights from the stage that really stole the show. From the future of design to authentic leadership, we’ve gathered the most thought provoking and inspiring moments from the stage. A huge thank you to the speakers who challenged our perspectives and to our attendees who gave us this chance to bring the design community in Ireland together 🇮🇪✨ #designleadersconf