David Smith, Ireland

AGI member since 2010

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David is founder and principal of Atelier Projects—it is among the most awarded and critically acclaimed design studios in Ireland.

David graduated from Dunlaoghaire College of Art and Design in 1993. In 1998 he completed his graduate studies at L’Atelier National de Recherche Typographique in Paris where he studied under Jean Widmer. Upon graduating he worked freelance in Paris (with Integral: Ruedi Baur et Associés), before moving to the Netherlands to work with UNA (Amsterdam) Designers. He returned to Dublin and established his Atelier in 2000.

Today he continues to combine project work—specialising in editorial and typographic design—with his academic commitments. A Senior Lecturer and former Programme Chair of Visual Communication Design, he is currently Head of Faculty at IADT, Dunlaoghaire—the largest Art, Design and Film school in Ireland.

In 2012 he founded the 100Archive for Irish design—www.100archive.com.

Design work by David Smith


    David Smith, Ireland (2010)

    David is founder and principal of Atelier Projects—it is among the most awarded and critically acclaimed design studios in Ireland. David graduated from Dunlaoghaire College of Art and Design in...

    Read full biography

    David is founder and principal of Atelier Projects—it is among the most awarded and critically acclaimed design studios in Ireland.

    David graduated from Dunlaoghaire College of Art and Design in 1993. In 1998 he completed his graduate studies at L’Atelier National de Recherche Typographique in Paris where he studied under Jean Widmer. Upon graduating he worked freelance in Paris (with Integral: Ruedi Baur et Associés), before moving to the Netherlands to work with UNA (Amsterdam) Designers. He returned to Dublin and established his Atelier in 2000.

    Today he continues to combine project work—specialising in editorial and typographic design—with his academic commitments. A Senior Lecturer and former Programme Chair of Visual Communication Design, he is currently Head of Faculty at IADT, Dunlaoghaire—the largest Art, Design and Film school in Ireland.

    In 2012 he founded the 100Archive for Irish design—www.100archive.com.

    Exhibitions

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    Poster Collection

    Museum of Design in Zurich, Zurich

    Liminal – Irish Design on the Threshold

    Vetraio, Tortona, Milan

    Terminal Stores, New York

    Design Week, Eindhoven

    This is the flagship show from Irish Design 2015 (ID2015), a year long initiative promoting & celebrating Irish design in Ireland and internationally.

    Design Island at Dublin Airport

    T1 & T2, Dublin Airport, Dublin

    A large scale photographic exhibition Design Island depicts internationally renowned & award winning Irish designers across all disciplines for ID2015

    SuperSurfaces

    2018

    Doosung - In the Paper Gallery, Seoul

    Lectures

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    Method and Chance – Selected Atelier Projects

    • 'The Book: History and Practice', Humanities Institute, University College, Dublin, Ireland

    Design Intelligence

    • Innocrafts Europe Symposium, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny (part of IDEATE festival), Ireland

    Atelier Projects

    • Institute without Boundaries / Department of Design, George Brown College, Toronto, Canada

    Perspectives; Josef Albers

    • Perspectives Lectures Series at the Glucksman Gallery, University College Cork, Ireland

    On Influence – Atelier Projects

    (2018)

    • The Future Conference, Ireland

    Agencies

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    • IADT

      2001 – present

    • UNA (Amsterdam) Designers

      1999 – 1999

    Awards

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    • 2010 – 2019

    100Archive Certification and inclusion in National Design Archive
    • 2015

    AIGA & Design Observer 50 Books/ 50 Covers
    • 2013

    AIGA & Design Observer 50 Books/ 50 Covers
    • 2003 – present

    ICAD (multiple bronze, silver and gold awards)
    • 2003 – present

    IDI (multiple commendations and national awards)
    • 2003

    Graphic Europe, Barcelona – Emerging Designer award
    • 1999

    ISTD Premier Award for Typography (@ UNA)
    • 1999

    Nederlands Huisstijl Prize / Best Dutch Corporate Identity (@ UNA)

    Other Professional Activities

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    • Member of National Design Forum – Government Appointed advisory panel

      2017 – present

    • Advisory Panel for Year of Irish design (ID2015) – Visual Communications advisor

      2014 – 2014

    • Founder 100 Archive – National Archive for Irish Graphic Design

      2012 – present

    • Moderator – International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) International Assessment

      2011 – present

    • Founder Threex3 – Internship Programme

      2007 – present

    • Institute of Designers in Ireland, Board Member

      2003 – 2005