First Release of OFFSET 2018 Speakers

OFFSET returns to the Dublin’s landmark Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for its 12th edition with another stellar lineup of the best creative talent from around the world. Promising a programme packed with presentations, interviews, panel discussions and debates, with workshops, interactive demos, creative playzones as well as a curated marketplace and industry networking areas, all running from Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th March 2018.

Representing industry at all levels, our speakers are key disruptors and genuine influencers in the field of Graphic Design, Advertising, Animation, Branding, Game Design, Photography, Illustration and more, driving everything from huge global campaigns to awe inspiring personal projects.

OFFSITE [see examples of 2017] is a week-long fringe festival in the lead up to OFFSET comprising of a series of accessible and free events – creative workshops, masterclasses, exhibitions, tours, installations, across the city that inform, inspire and excite with the aim to engage an even wider audience and showcase our creative city.

Confirmed Speakers for OFFSET Dublin 2018:

| Chris Ware

Hailed as the master of the comic art form, Chris Ware was the first graphic novelist to win a major literary prize (The Guardian’s First Book award in 2001 for Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth). Chris is widely known for his New Yorker magazine covers, having contributed cartoons and over 30 covers to The New Yorker since 1999 and his award-winning comic strip, The Acme Novelty Library & Building Stories.

| Gail Bichler (NYT Magazine)

Gail Bichler is the design director of The New York Times Magazine where she and her team have won numerous awards for their print and interactive design as well as their groundbreaking work in virtual reality. In 2016 they were named “Magazine of the Year” by the Society of Publication Designers (S.P.D.) and received two Grand Prix awards at Cannes.

| Richard Brim (Adam&EveDDB)

Richard Brim is an executive creative director at adam&eveDDB London. His work for clients such as The Sunday Times, Shelter and the Department for Transport has awarded him in every colour from all the major award shows. He is the man behind multi award-winning Christmas campaigns including “Sorry, I Spent It On Myself” for Harvey Nichols and the “Monty the Penguin” & “Buster” Christmas campaign for John Lewis.

| Blexbolex

Blexbolex is an award-winning French illustrator who lives in Berlin. His books have been published all over the world, and he’s widely revered for his experimental approach to printmaking and book production, making him a true pioneer in his field. Blexbolex many prestigious awards include the ‘Best Book Design from all over the World’ award at the Leipzig Book Fair 2009 and The New York Times Best Illustrated Book in 2010.

| The Creativity Hub


Founded by Belfast-based husband and wife team Rory O’Connor and Anita Murphy, The Creativity Hub publish playthings that foster imagination, empathy and self-esteem. Rory’s Story Cubes have sold over 5 million sets in 50 countries and was listed as top selling Holiday item by Amazon.com. The Extraordinaires Design Studio is their latest project to inspire a new generation of designers and inventors, with even more exciting projects in the pipeline.

| Ivan Cash


Ivan Cash is an award-winning interactive artist, film director, and creative director from the US. His conceptually-driven, genre-bending media projects spark meaningful conversation and impact culture, having been featured in The New York Times, CNN, TIME andThe Guardian. He has been recognized as a 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 artist, an Art Directors Club Young Gun, and a Print Magazine New Visual Artist.

| Aoife McArdle


Aoife McArdle is an Irish writer, director & photographer. Her work includes music videos for U2 as well as television commercials for Under Armour, Honda & Samsung. Her video for the U2 song ‘Every Breaking Wave was nominated for Best International Music Video at the UK Music Video Awards 2015. Her debut feature Kissing Candice is due for release soon.

| Beatrice Alemagna


Multi-award-winning children’s book author/illustrator Beatrice Alemagna has published more than thirty books all over the world. Her long list of accolades include the Premio Andersen Award, a Bologna Ragazzi Mention, five White Ravens Awards and three Baobab Prizes for the most innovative books for children.

| D.A.D.D.Y


Award winning Dublin director duo Mike Ahern & Enda Loughman aka D.A.D.D.Y. are also not be missed. Best known for their commercial work and music videos, they have worked with all the top agencies including Droga5, Saatchi & Saatchi, TWBA, JWT, Rothco & Publicis.

| Peter Donnelly

Peter Donnelly is an award winning illustrator & art director from Dublin and serves as a committee executive member of Illustrators Ireland. His awards include 3×3, Creative Quarterly, American Illustration and The Institute of Designers Ireland. He has been a featured artist in the Taschen Illustration Now series as well as being shortlisted for the Gradam Réics Carló, the Young People’s Book of the Year Award. His upcoming book THE PRESIDENTS GLASSES is set for release and will no doubt become an instant classic.

| Sonya Dyakova

Sonya Dyakova is a Russian graphic designer based in London, where she runs her multi-disciplinary, independent studio, Atelier Dyakova. Formerly of Phaidon Press where she is well renowned for her beautifully sophisticated work in books. In 2011 Sonya was appointed as the art director of Frieze magazine, which she re-designed in May 2012, and Frieze Masters magazine.

| Stephen Doyle


From editorial illustrations for Fast Company to a 3D book cover for Steve Colbert, Stephen Doyle is the creative director of NY based design studio Doyle Partners. In 2014 he was awarded the AIGA Medal and is recognised as the ultimate “designer’s designer,” merging imagination, intelligence, creativity and craftsmanship through incisive and enduring design.

| Much more TBC soon.

For over 300 hours of talks, from 2009-present, check out our ARCHIVE section.