Kicking off January 2025, I had the chance to attend the Bounce Event at Trinity College. This was a brand-new design event for creatives that was carried out over two days. The first day focused on hands-on workshops, while the second day featured a series of inspiring talks from industry professionals.

I managed to grab a ticket for the second day, which turned out to be an incredible experience. The lineup of speakers brought rich insights from a diverse range of design specialities, and their talks were nothing short of inspiring. Despite being a first-time event, the energy in the room was buzzing. Designers from all walks of life, industry experts, and enthusiastic newcomers filled the space, creating a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect, to be honest, but as I stepped into the event, I found myself navigating a sea of ideas, engaging conversations, and a shared passion for design. It was an exciting reminder of how expansive and dynamic the design community is.

Some of the designers that stood out for me were:

Ash and Fiona, the creative minds behind Something Somewhere. They run a design initiative that goes beyond your typical studio work. Their unique approach starts with a selection process of who they will partner with, and then they immerse themselves in their partner’s world for around eight weeks, collaborating on tailored design solutions that have a lasting impact. Fiona brings her expertise in research, design thinking, and strategic planning, while ASH translates concepts into visually compelling and accessible designs. Together, they empower non-profits with tools, templates, and the power of design to amplify their impact long after the collaboration ends.

Another talk that stood out to me was Pauric Freeman. An Irish artist who blends sound, technology, and visual art to create immersive audiovisual experiences. During his live demo on stage, Pauric showcased his dynamic approach to merging design with music while crafting a real-time performance. Using custom-built systems, he uses sound through striking visuals, transforming the auditory into a visual experience. Pauric showed us how we could explore new creative possibilities by marrying music and design.

We covered a wide range of topics during the Bounce Event, and some key takeaways that stood out to me were:

Collaboration Across Industries -Partnering with other industries, governing bodies, and diverse sectors is more crucial than ever for creating meaningful, impactful solutions.

A Multidisciplinary Approach - Designers must embrace a multidisciplinary mindset to address the complexities of designing for the future, blending knowledge from various fields.

The Power of Design Thinking - Design thinking is essential and should be introduced early in the process, particularly when working with people outside the design sector.

As individual designers, we hold the responsibility to showcase the value of our craft, helping clients solve problems and develop innovative solutions that drive positive change. This event reinforced the importance of stepping beyond traditional boundaries to truly make a difference.

The event was an inspiring start to the year, filled with fresh perspectives and creative energy. From Ash and Fiona’s impactful design initiatives with non-profits to Pauric Freeman’s mesmerising fusion of sound and visuals, the event highlighted the diverse and dynamic potential of the design community. It left me not only inspired but also excited about the endless possibilities of collaboration and innovation within the field. For a debut event, Bounce set a high bar, and I’m already looking forward to seeing how it evolves in the future!