Islands of Design Pop-up Design Museum Irish Design Week 2025
As part of Irish Design Week 17th – 21st November 2025 with Belfast Design Week we co-organised and co-curated a pop-up exhibition in Belfast School of Art featuring the work of 10 emerging designers working in different design disciplines.
Tarika Kinney - Fashion Designer
Rooted in my Irish and Indian heritage, my work explores the intersection of memory, material and maker. Guided by my ethos of Ancestry to Alchemy, I craft garments from reclaimed fabrics using slow, tactile processes. Each piece is intimate, ever-evolving, and designed to be felt, remembered, and lived in.
“Showcasing my work at “Islands of Design” feels especially meaningful after my recent collection, The Irish Sea. That body of water connects this small island to the wider world, a reminder that Irish creatives continue to make waves far beyond our shores.”
This platform celebrates not only our landscape but our people, a community of makers who draw inspiration from the textures, colours, and histories that shape us. We create from what surrounds us: the land, the sea and the deep rooted craft traditions that define who we are.
Like the blue that runs through our fields of green, creativity connects us all. It is this shared sense of place, care and collaboration that makes our island so unique, a reminder that design here is not just made but felt, lived and continually renewed.
My dream pop-up design museum would bring together the artists and designers who have continually inspired me, and have blurred the boundaries between body, material, and emotion.
At its centre would be Alexander McQueen’s Oyster Dress, a piece that feels alive, fragile, and powerful all at once. Nearby, Ana Mendieta’s Silueta Series would ground the space, her connection to nature moving beyond surface to something deeply physical, merging the human form and the earth itself. In one corner, Tracey Emin’s My Bed would sit as a raw testament to vulnerability and the chaos of creation, supported by the delicate yet powerful textile work of Lisa Kokin.
This pop-up museum would celebrate people and place in all their complexity – how design, more specifically craft, can hold emotion, memory, and transformation. It would be less a static exhibition and more a living space, where beauty feels human, imperfect, and deeply alive.
Belfast’s culture is undeniable, and its creativity thrives in connection. I want to see a community that truly celebrates each other, where designers and artists lift one another up, share ideas, and grow together. Our strength lies in that sense of togetherness, shaped by our land, our history, and our people.
Tarika Kinney Instagram
Lauren Kelso - Illustrator
As an Award-Winning Freelance Illustrator based in my Shop & Studio premises in Broughshane, my clients include Fairhill Shopping Centre, Galgorm Resort and more. I’m inspired by fashion, travel and the world around me, often using ink with a cocktail stick and collage textures, resulting in experimental and intuitive outcomes.
Through the pieces I am showcasing in the pop-up museum:
Blue Blazer is striking, affirmative, bold and poised. The strong pose displays a confident and self-assured attitude, reflected in the fashion choices.
White Boots is more muted and contemplative, with a softer and reflective tone. This meaning is presented in the gentler stance and deeper colours of the fashion elements portrayed.
“Both of my pieces are independent in their own right, represented as “islands of design.” However, their individual meanings speak well to each other when placed together collaboratively in a symbiotic fashion.”
My vision for design in Belfast is a creative and collaborative space where creatives support each other and share opportunities.
Lauren Kelso Illustrator
Kristen Robb - Regenerative Designer
My name is Kristen Robb, a local textile print and regenerative designer. I work closely with native Irish flora – whether creating designs or making natural dyes. Combining science communication, activism, and design, I aim to help people connect with nature in a deeper, more thoughtful, and considered way through design.
“Islands of Design” to me is an opportunity to speak for the places where we have grown. Being from an island is a unique privilege – one that I take great pride in. With land, forest, mountain, and sea all within reach, designers are offered a wide range of inspiration within a single microclimate.
“Islands are notoriously special – full of life that is specialised to place and has long coexisted alongside local people, shaping human and non-human relationships, heritage crafts, and rich culture. The insular environments that islands provide give designers the opportunity to look deeper, to see more, and to notice what others might overlook.”
The nature of islands, with their distinct microcosms, is a constant source of inspiration within my design work. Connecting people with the land, learning about native flora and fauna, and practising design in regenerative ways are just some of the approaches I find particularly exciting within the island context. It is an exciting juxtaposition – to know my island so well, yet to be constantly discovering more.
For the pop up museum, I intend to include a range of my design work: my MA final project, examples of my natural dyes, and designs I have created for the pillow company I design for, BellaMoon. I would bring my naturally dyed cotton patches, dyed using invasive and overabundant species that threaten local native plants here in Ireland. I would also bring examples of my native plant dyes, demonstrating the rich range of colours that can be achieved from our local flora. Additionally, I would showcase designs that feature visual stories of our land, incorporating native plants such as rosehip, wild parsley, sage, chamomile, comfrey, and water mint. These designs also weave in Irish folklore, combining design with heritage. I want visitors to see that my work is inspired by and infused with the heart of Ireland.
“Island Design” can be bright, exciting, beautiful, and elegant – even from temperate islands. I also believe it is important to demonstrate that regenerative and textile design is multidimensional; no designer needs to conform to a single form or approach.
My hope for design in Belfast is that it will continue to thrive. In recent years, I’ve noticed the art scene here taking a massive step into the public eye. It’s so exciting to see the voices of Belfast artists translated into design and shared with the city and beyond – through local tourism shops, markets, collaborations with musicians and more. Belfast is full of beautiful minds, each of us shaped by the history of being from this city. If we continue to create and move forward in a sustainable and regenerative way, I believe Belfast will only grow stronger and more vibrant as a result.
Kristen Robb Instagram
Ciaran Magee - Architect
I am an architect working with Hall Black Douglas in Belfast, with previous experience in both NI and London. I have a particular interest in the reuse of both buildings and materials, as well as how small scale or temporary interventions can act as a testbed for how we design our built environment.
“To me, “Islands of Design” implies a level of disconnection or containment, be it geographical or between different design disciplines. An exhibition like this bridges that divide, bringing the work of designers from different regions and specialities together to share knowledge and inspire creativity.”
I would like to see a pop-up museum that not only exhibits key moments in our shared history through the lens of design, but also spotlights how learning from past ideas can allow us to forge new paths forward.
A physical space for the exhibition of this would be invaluable, as it allows for chance meetings, conversation, and exposure to approaches you might not have sought out on your own.
Belfast is a beautiful city full of creative and resilient people.
I would like to see an expansion of spaces and support for people to explore art, architecture, music, food, fashion, furniture, ceramics, performance, photography… Places to try, places to fail, and places to try again.
Ciaran Magee Instagram
Laura Bragger - Ceramicist & Product Designer
My creative process is heavily influenced by my background in Product Design Ceramics, where I honed my skills. It was there that I learned to blend my passion for design with my love for the environment, setting the stage for my current work.
“I view “Islands of Design” as an approach to foster sustainability by promoting practices that not only support but actively protect the planet. This concept underscores the critical importance of integrating environmental responsibility into creative processes, encouraging designers to prioritise environmental balance and long-term preservation.”
Through thoughtful and innovative design, it encourages a commitment to nurturing our natural surroundings while inspiring others to adopt sustainable habits that contribute to the overall health and resilience of the environment.
Aligned with the Islands of Design theme, my collection Monolith draws its inspiration from the intricate topographical landscape of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. Through the techniques of plaster carving and slip casting, the work explores the profound impact of human activity on the natural environment. It delves into themes of both degradation and resilience, highlighting the delicate balance between destruction and recovery. This collection aims to raise awareness of pressing environmental issues, while strongly emphasising the importance of sustainability and waste reduction in contemporary design practices.
I see the future of design in Belfast as one that focuses on sustainable, responsible methods that prioritize environmental health. I anticipate greater community involvement and collaboration, creating a stronger, inclusive network where residents actively shape their surroundings. This approach will build a healthier environment and a resilient, connected community, making Belfast a design model.
Laura Bragger Instagram
Katie Wilson - Textile Designer
I’m a textile designer and artist exploring colour and pattern through abstract interpretations of my surroundings. I blend painting, collage, and digital design to create expressive repeat prints that bring art into everyday life through fashion, homewares, and contemporary art.
“My interpretation of “Islands of Design” takes inspiration from the island of Ireland itself. Each piece is an abstract reflection of the landscapes around us – from the Mourne Mountains and the rugged North Coast to the landmarks and energy of Belfast and Derry. The colours, textures and shapes of these places are a constant source of inspiration in my work.”
The theme has also made me consider the “islands” of creativity in the Irish design community. My own practice has been shaped by the support and guidance I received at Belfast School of Art, where I first explored how place and identity influence design. These artworks, created during my time as a student, are my way of celebrating Ireland as both a real and creative island – a place full of endless design inspiration.
In a pop-up design museum, I’d love to see a designer’s favourite piece shown next to something created by their own favourite designer. It would be really interesting to see how people influence each other – how one person’s idea can spark something completely new in someone else.
The displays would highlight that link between inspiration and individuality. You could spot little similarities in shape, colour, or theme, but also see how each designer’s own style, skills, and story make the final outcome unique. The museum would celebrate that mix of inspiration and individuality – showing that creativity never happens in a bubble. Every designer learns, borrows, experiments, and makes it their own. It would be a celebration of the flow of ideas and how they keep evolving, one design sparking the next.
My vision for design in Belfast is one of collaboration – where independent designers, larger businesses, councils and community groups work together to nurture creativity. A city that gives emerging talent space, support and connection – allowing new ideas to thrive and grow securely through shared inspiration.
Katie Wilson Design Instagram
Andrea Villaester - 3D Artist / Generalist
I am a professional 3D artist and generalist specialising in environment design and modelling. With a passion for visual storytelling and three years’ experience in 3D Animation, I bring immersive worlds to life through collaboration, technical craft and creative vision adapting to diverse pipelines with confidence and enthusiasm.
“To me,“Islands of Design” is about how every creative person has their own world of ideas, influences, and ways of making.”
Each project feels like its own island, shaped by personal experience and imagination. As a 3D artist, I build these worlds from an idea to concepts, building characters and environments, texturing, setting light and compiling different stages of animation into a final moving story. My short film Tea at Mr O’Malley’s is a good example of that. It was inspired by Belfast in the 1940s, a story I had heard during a history lesson in second year. I wanted to capture that feeling through design, from the small architectural details to the textures and colours that might be recalled by ages from that time, paired with a story that children of today could be amused by.
For me, “Islands of Design” is also about connection. Even though each designer or project might seem separate, they are all linked by shared creativity and collaboration. The animated film industry is the same. Belfast’s design community shows this perfectly. It is full of unique voices that come together to form something much stronger and more inspiring than any one of us could create alone.
For my pop-up design museum, I would focus on my short film Tea at Mr O’Malley’s, which is set in Belfast during the 1940s, which I directed and designed. It was also shortlisted for the Dublin Animation Film Festival. I would choose images that best capture the atmosphere of the piece and its development. The images include a few behind-the-scenes visuals that show how the project came together, from early sketches to 3D modelling and lighting. I want visitors to see how much design and research went into creating that world and how the smallest details, like textures or props, helped tell the story.
Even with a small display, I’d want the space to feel immersive and personal, showing how digital design can bring history to life. The film celebrates Belfast’s character and creativity, and I think that fits perfectly within a pop-up museum that highlights local storytelling through design.
My vision for Belfast is a city that thrives on creativity, collaboration and community. As 3D animation continues to grow as a thriving industry, it enriches Belfast’s creative landscape and inspires new ways of storytelling. Together, artists and designers can shape a diverse and progressive island built on innovation and shared imagination.
Andrea Villaester Instagram
Matthew Talbot - Mixed Media & Experiential Designer
As a designer, I am passionate about empowering artists to confidently share their ideas and stories with the world. As the design landscape evolves rapidly each year, I believe now is the perfect time to start integrating my skills in photography and design and help bring those stories to life.
Initially, I think of potential and connection; the land bringing life and ideas, popping up between ocean waves of disagreement and struggle. The potential of using our vitality and space to build bridges between us and not drown in our difference or isolation. And to take that idea further, I see the potential that the ocean between the islands has; nourishing and fuelling our ideas rather than surface level conflict on the waves. I recognise that is probably a deep interpretation, but I believe it is relevant and important for our island in particular. Design has this amazing ability to create solutions and connection in places and people that were once apart, just like islands are connected via transport, infrastructure and internet.
“With the theme, Islands of Design, I think I would explore how creativity flourishes in isolation. From literal islands to the figurative “islands” of independent thought that shape our world.”
In the pop-up I would put small, self-contained zones, each an “island” representing a distinct design ecosystem: local craftsmanship, digital innovation, sustainable experimentation, or speculative futures. Visitors can then navigate between the islands, discovering how geography, culture, and constraint breed invention and how they can all connect.
If we’re considering what I would put in this pop up of my own work, it would be my recent degree show project, Fragmented Memories, which explores memory and place through light projection photography cast on sculptural metal panels. The project explores my memories of family, moving home and living in Belfast, through photos and digital work with complimentary poetry to navigate and provide more context in the space. It was designed with reflection at the centre, literally and figuratively, and interestingly, I think it works well with the pop up’s theme.
I would love to see Belfast on the world stage for a lot more in this sector, in my lifetime alone it has started to blossom out of its past and it’s great to see the likes of TV and film production not only taking place here but setting up a base for the future, and I would love to see that across all areas of our design and arts because I believe we have something unique and diverse here that deserves exposure.
Matthew Talbot Instagram
Saul Duffin - Designer & Illustrator
I’m a Belfast-based designer, illustrator and founder of YEO Magazine, a print and digital platform celebrating music, art and culture across Ireland. My work combines bold illustration, strong typography and social media strategy to build creative communities, amplify local voices and make design feel accessible.
I found the theme Islands of Design to be pretty natural to my practice, with YEO being a project I embarked on after returning to this island with an urge to uncover creative stories from here. My work always seems to carry a bit of local flair – whether it’s magazine layouts, illustrated typography or social campaign copy.
In many ways, YEO itself could be seen as a wee island. It’s a mostly solo, freelance project that also tries to connect other “islands” – artists, musicians, designers and makers who might otherwise be working away in their own small corners. It gives them a shared platform to be seen, celebrated and linked together.
Coming from Belfast, I’m always aware of the tension between isolation and connection – that urge to stand apart while still wanting to belong. I think that energy creates some of the most interesting designs here. I love seeing Irish designers dive into heritage and local influence, but seeing how they reach outward, creating some nice and unexpected fusions.
“For me, “Islands of Design” is about finding your own style and seeing how it fits into the world – or even better, how it doesn’t at all.”
I’d love to see everyone’s sketchbooks. For me, a lot of the stuff I’m most proud of (and get the most joy out of) is often that early-stage sketching and doodling that probably no one will ever see. Working out ideas for a brief or better still – just drawing for some peace of mind is the part of the process that makes my wee heart sing. So I’d love to get a glimpse into different designers’ raw creativity and a peek into their minds at a pop-up exhibition. I’d also love to see an exhibition on some Belfast event posters from throughout the years, as this is probably the thing that I have the largest output of at this stage of my career. Producing sometimes 3 gig posters a month for 5 years has given me a heap of appreciation for a good gig poster, and I’d love to walk in and see how designers from here have approached them over time.
I’m noticing a real increase in people using AI for design, so I’d love to see that stop. I’d like to see more risk-taking, individuality and self-belief from designers here and using design as a vehicle for good.
Saul Duffin Instagram
Aoife Mulvenna of FADA Studio - Multifaceted Design
Fada is a multifaceted design studio; an open, empathetic environment where creative conversation can thrive and flourish, where concepts are nurtured, contorted, and tested before taking on their final form. We are considered in our approach, producing work that instils an appreciation for craft and precedent. Derived from the Irish language, Fada is an acronym for ‘Faoi Aon Díon Amháin’, translating as ‘Under One Roof’. In this space, under one roof, we thrive on the cross-pollination of ideas, people, and place, resulting in the creation of meaningful, timeless spaces, furniture, objects, and forms. Founder and architectural designer Aoife Mulvenna is a collaborative creative and architectural designer with a passion for emotional place making and an eye for detail. She is driven by a genuine desire to understand her clients on a deeper level, crafting beautiful spaces that feel authentic and brand specific.
For FADA, Islands of Design speaks to our approach to every project. Each is its own island, shaped by people, craft, and precedent, yet none exist in isolation. A red, FADA-shaped thread runs through them all, with rhythms of collaboration, community, and context flowing between, carrying stories, ideas, and people.
“Our island is built on collective imagination and visual communication; a place where design becomes dialogue. Within the archipelago of Belfast’s design community, we see collaboration as the streams and rivers that connect our shared waters.”
Through Islands of Design, we unite these worlds to create something larger; a space where design is the anchor, rooting ideas in place.
FADA would fill a pop-up design museum with fragments of process; the sketches, textures, materials, conversations, and contradictions that shape how we design. We’d show the in-between spaces, the moments before form takes hold, where collaboration and curiosity sparks something magical.
Our exhibit would be less about finished objects and more about the exploration and testing it took to get there. Layers of research, client and designer dialogue, and visual experimentation that built meaningful spaces. Visitors could move through our island of ideas, viewing quick instinctual sketches, touching materials and seeing design as a living process rather than a polished outcome. For us, design is not an endpoint but a meeting point where people, place, and imagination converge. Our pop-up would reflect that; a space for intention not perfection.
Belfast’s design story is one of creativity, courage, and wit, shaped by our history, grounded in humility, and lifted by a self-deprecating humour that keeps us human. FADA doesn’t see this as a weakness but rather a strength that sets us apart. Our vision is for Belfast’s creative talent and storytelling to shine on a global stage, proving that there is power in authenticity and playfulness.
Fada Studio Instagram
