Rough Drafts - Exploring Creative Process - by BOUNCE

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Rough Drafts – Where ideas are still forming. Most design podcasts focus on finished work: the award, the commission, the retrospective. Rough Drafts goes earlier. Each episode explores the thinking before the thinking — the first sketch, the direction that didn’t work, the moment a project changed shape. It’s not confessional, and it’s not about failure. It’s about what the creative process actually looks like when you’re inside it: ambiguous, iterative, collaborative, and often uncertain until very late. We talk to graphic designers and typographers, architects and urban thinkers, illustrators, filmmakers, animators and game designers working across Ireland and beyond. To social innovators using design as a tool for change, educators building the next generation of creative thinkers, researchers asking the uncomfortable questions about what design is actually for. To the craftspeople and the coders, the brand strategists and the community artists, the independent studios and the solo practitioners working out of a room at the end of the garden. Some guests are well known. Some are doing the most interesting work you’ve never heard of. What they have in common is a willingness to talk about the version before the version — to show you the sketch before the sketch, the draft before the draft, the conversation that happened before anyone knew what they were making. Rough Drafts is made in Ireland, with designers and creative practitioners from across Europe and beyond — because the best creative process conversations don’t care about geography. Irish design has a distinctive voice, a particular relationship to craft, language, and identity, and a community of designers and practitioners who are doing genuinely original work on a global stage. Rough Drafts is a place to hear how that work actually gets made. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts — or sign up for updates at bouncecreative.ie and be the first to know who's coming up next. Every episode comes with, process images, and the materials guests brought to the conversation — the early sketches, the abandoned directions, the slides that didn't make it to the presentation. The stuff that usually ends up in the bin. That's the bit we're interested in. Rough Drafts is a podcast from BOUNCE — Ireland's independent platform for design thinking, creative process, and critical discourse.

  1. 4h ago

    Seán O'Beacháin // Creative Confidence

    How to Cultivate Creative Confidence as a Solo Designer: Insights from Seán O'Beáchain In the world of design, the journey to establishing a unique voice and creative confidence can be a winding path. Seán O'Beáchain, the founder of So Studio, shares his experiences of navigating this journey without formal training in design, ultimately leading him to create his own successful studio. In this blog post, we will explore Seán's insights on what it means to cultivate creative confidence when you are the entire creative team and how collaboration plays a crucial role in the creative process. Understanding Creative Confidence Creative confidence is not just about having the right skills; it's about believing in your ability to create and innovate. Seán's journey illustrates that confidence can be built over time through experience and by embracing one's unique perspective. He emphasizes that many aspiring designers often doubt their capabilities due to a lack of formal training or established credentials. However, it's important to remember that creativity can flourish in various forms and backgrounds. The Importance of Collaboration One key aspect of Seán's success has been his ability to collaborate effectively with various partners throughout his career. He highlights that collaboration doesn't just enhance the quality of work but also fosters a supportive environment where ideas can thrive. By surrounding himself with talented individuals and maintaining relationships with past colleagues, Seán has been able to draw on diverse perspectives that enrich his projects. Choosing to Stay Small in a Scale-Driven Industry In an industry that often equates size with credibility, Seán's decision to keep So Studio small is a testament to his belief in quality over quantity. He argues that staying small allows for a more personalized approach to design, enabling deeper connections with clients and a more hands-on role in every project. This philosophy challenges the notion that bigger is always better and reinforces the idea that a small studio can deliver exceptional results through dedication and creativity. Lessons Learned from a Non-Traditional Path Seán's experience is a reminder that there is no single path to success in the design world. His journey from collecting design-related items as a child to eventually founding his own studio is filled with valuable lessons. He encourages aspiring designers to embrace their unique journeys, acknowledging that every experience adds to their creative toolkit. By sharing his story, Seán inspires others to pursue their passions, regardless of the obstacles they may face. Key Takeaways - Creative confidence can be developed through experience and self-belief. - Collaboration is essential for enhancing the creative process and producing high-quality work. - Choosing to stay small can provide opportunities for personalised service and deeper client relationships. - Everyone's journey in design is unique; embrace your *non-traditional path* as a strength. Seán O'Beáchain's insights provide a refreshing perspective on the importance of creative confidence, collaboration, and the value of maintaining a small studio in a competitive industry. By focusing on these elements, aspiring designers can cultivate their unique voices and thrive in their creative endeavours. __ Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Or subscribe to our Patreon, for more content, live talks, case studies and more.

    Seán O'Beacháin // Creative Confidence

  2. Oct 26

    Irish Design Week

    Irish Design Week is nearly here, and this year’s programme is one of the strongest yet. In this episode, Danielle walks through some of the standout events across the country — from craft workshops to policy summits — before sitting down with Susannah Montgomery, Business Development and Ecosystem Manager at EIT Culture & Creativity, to talk about the biggest event in the calendar. The European Creative Industries Summit, Fáilte Future Europe, runs 10–13 November in Dublin as part of Ireland’s EU presidency. Susannah explains what EIT Culture & Creativity actually does — hint: it’s not funding content, it’s funding the tools and infrastructure that allow the creative sector to grow — and why this summit is different from the kind of conference that produces great conversation and nothing else. They get into digital sovereignty and what it means in plain terms for a graphic designer or filmmaker, the idea of “rewilding” the creative sector away from dependence on a handful of big tech platforms, and why Ireland’s particular mix of deep cultural identity and outsized tech presence makes it a fascinating place to have this conversation right now. There’s also a genuinely useful breakdown of what EIT funding is currently available, who it’s for, and how to figure out if your idea is eligible before you go near an application form. Open funding calls for EIT Culture & Creativity: https://eit-culture-creativity.eu/your-opportunities/calls-fundingEvent website: https://failtefuture.eu/Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/failte-future-for-europe-ecis26-tickets-2002740893926?aff=oddtdtcreator__ Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Or subscribe to our Patreon, for more content, live talks, case studies and more.

    Irish Design Week

  3. Oct 13

    Una Healy // Hi from a Human

    In this episode we talk about the parish priest giving permission for Una to go to art college, designing Valentine's cards that backfired because all the boys thought Una had sent them, the second-hand Mac bought from a buy and sell magazine and QuarkXPress learned from a book in a week. This episode is thirty years in the making. What this conversation explores is what sustains a practice across three decades. The big project in this episode is Hi from a Human — a mark Una woke up one morning and decided to create, and released to the global creative community before she had time to think herself out of it. We go into where it came from — the anger, not the kind she feels often, at watching illustrators and designers lose work to AI systems built on their own creative output — and her ambition for it. We talk about the dementia-inclusive shopping project, that won the Universal Design Award at the IDI Awards. About the drawer of shame and about what Una tells young designers who are waiting until they're ready, she says, only good things come when you jump. Go to: https://hifromahuman.com/ and download your marque that showcases your human ingenuity. __ Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Or subscribe to our  Patreon, for more content, live talks, case studies and more.

    Una Healy // Hi from a Human

  4. Sep 29

    Niamh McArdle // Collaborative Process

    Niamh McArdle is a designer from Galway, based in Dublin, and sometimes Florence. She works freelance to allow her the freedom that travels brings, but at the heart of her work is a distinctly contemporary Irish design aesthetic.  In this episode she speaks about her interests that have enriched her design, from film, literature, writing and her family's habit of collecting and curating objects of place and ultimately of nostalgia.  As a graduate into the world in 2020, she speaks about getting started when the world was in chaos, a pandemic graduation that came with no show, no ceremony, no moment of arrival.  Not that it held her back - with incredible projects she deep dives into her work while at Slater, working collaboratively with the studio team on a book design that ultimately went on to win a D&AD pencil for Book Design. The process of making this book is incredible - with the artist Paul Yates described as ‘in concert’ with the team throughout.  Everywhere she goes, she finds inspiration, a collector of ideas, from cafes in Italy to workshops, to keep her making and her hands busy.  Her next rough draft may involve embroidery, Florence, and something she hasn't quite worked out the shape of yet. _ Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Listen on Apple // Listen or Watch on Spotify, Patreon and YouTube

    Niamh McArdle // Collaborative Process

  5. Sep 15

    Sarah Moloney // Feels So Real

    In today’s episode. I speak with Sarah Moloney, graphic designer and illustrator based in Dublin. This is a conversation about what sustains a practice over a long time, and the answer turns out to be emotion and the pursuit of a genuine felt response in whoever encounters the work. Sarah Moloney describes it plainly: she wants people to feel a connection. Everything else in her practice follows from that. We talk about the relationship between style and design: why Sarah's work is always recognisably hers and never the same answer twice, and why the distinction matters more now than it ever did before. We also go into AI, not as a threat but perhaps there is light on the horizon with a trend towards and focus on handmade,  maybe this will prove to propel the industry forward rather than dismantle it.   Just to note there are a few dips in the WIFI, but nonetheless a beautiful showcase of work and of her career at the centre of illustration led design. __ Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Listen on Apple // Listen or Watch on Spotify Patreon and YouTube

    Sarah Moloney // Feels So Real

  6. Jul 13 ·  Bonus

    BOUNCE 2027 // Open Call

    This years theme is FRICTION. Exploring what it means to resist, slow down, and make things that could only come from you. In the fast-paced world of design, the common mantra is to "remove friction" to create seamless experiences. But what if friction is not just a barrier but a necessary part of our creative and personal journeys? Check out this episode where I delve into the theme of friction as a crucial element in design and life, exploring its implications and the deeper insights it can provide. I dissect the sub-strands: Friction as Method: Process, Resistance & the Slow WorkFriction as Signal: What Difficulty TeachesFriction as Presence: Trust & Self And I go through what a successful proposal looks like and give some ideas for the above strands. It really is all you need to know. ____ The Open Call is open to Patreon Subscribers only ahead of general open date later in the summer. → Join for free at patreon.com/c/bouncecreative No card required. Just a free account and you're in! ____ The Open Call for Workshop facilitators is also open for applications year round and is available here. Best of luck!

    BOUNCE 2027 // Open Call

  7. Jul 6

    Hazel Coonagh // Time and Memory

    Hazel Coonagh is an Irish photographer and visual artist who starts with a portrait taken in the ordinary way, and then takes it somewhere else entirely. Through digital manipulation, hand embroidery stitched through paper and canvas, and a visual sensibility drawn from Japanese art, surrealism, and Art Nouveau, her work creates images that feel both completely new and deeply familiar. There's a nostalgia to them that she can't quite separate from the mediums themselves: photography and embroidery are both, at their root, about time and memory. In this episode we trace how embroidery arrived in her practice her incredible RTÉ Illuminations commission during lockdown, the night she saw her work projected onto the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park, and the housing crisis piece Halfway to Nowhere, which was made in her back garden with a cardboard house balanced on her head. We talk about The Art Riddler show, independent arts funding in Ireland, and a frank conversation about AI; why it lacks soul, how it's dulling creative taste, and what makes a real photograph irreplaceable. __ Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Listen on Apple // Listen or Watch on Spotify Patreon and YouTube

    Hazel Coonagh // Time and Memory

  8. Jun 29

    Naoise Ó Conchubhair // Drawing from Here

    Today's guest is Naoise Ó Conchubhair, someone whose entire career has been shaped by an obsession with type, the Irish language and the conviction that the best design always comes from understanding your context before you touch a single letterform. We go way back to Naoise’s childhood, a furniture designer father, a grandfather who founded an Irish language publication, and a mother who was involved in the founding of TG4, the Irish language broadcast channel, here in Ireland. We get deep into Insular the Gaelic typeface Naoise designed for his final year project at NCAD, a project that grew from a mystery tour through Irish banknote lettering, a 1976 typeface competition, and the extraordinary stone cutting lettering of Michael Biggs at the Garden of Remembrance and Arbour Hill. We talk about Song of the Sea and the joy of watching your handwriting appear on the Lighthouse Cinema screen as part of the film, which was nominated for an Oscar. About more modern and recent work MGNÉ, where a fada became a brand device about Free Market, the Venice Architectural Biennale, the Wonder Cabinet in the Dead Zoo, the National History Museum, and the maddening precision of brass letters that were too perfectly made to fit together. Naoise gives incredible detail of not just the process, the projects, but the people whom he deeply respects and collaborates with, the joy of teaching the new wave of design students and the changing landscape of operating in design right now. This episode is available to listen to on Apple, but there are so so many projects to see, I highly recommend watching the video of the podcast which is available on Spotify, YouTube or over on our Patreon. I can't thank him enough for his generosity of time and his work shows a new modernity for Irish identity and the future of Irish design. Enjoy.   __   Rough Drafts is a podcast from BOUNCE for anyone who's ever stared at something unfinished and wondered if they were on the right track. Designers, artists, and thinkers talk about the messy, uncertain, deeply human process of making things.    Rough Drafts – Where ideas are still forming.   Episodes drop regularly. Listen or watch wherever you get your podcasts. Listen on Apple // Listen or Watch on Spotify, Patreon and YouTube

    Naoise Ó Conchubhair // Drawing from Here
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Rough Drafts – Where ideas are still forming. Most design podcasts focus on finished work: the award, the commission, the retrospective. Rough Drafts goes earlier. Each episode explores the thinking before the thinking — the first sketch, the direction that didn’t work, the moment a project changed shape. It’s not confessional, and it’s not about failure. It’s about what the creative process actually looks like when you’re inside it: ambiguous, iterative, collaborative, and often uncertain until very late. We talk to graphic designers and typographers, architects and urban thinkers, illustrators, filmmakers, animators and game designers working across Ireland and beyond. To social innovators using design as a tool for change, educators building the next generation of creative thinkers, researchers asking the uncomfortable questions about what design is actually for. To the craftspeople and the coders, the brand strategists and the community artists, the independent studios and the solo practitioners working out of a room at the end of the garden. Some guests are well known. Some are doing the most interesting work you’ve never heard of. What they have in common is a willingness to talk about the version before the version — to show you the sketch before the sketch, the draft before the draft, the conversation that happened before anyone knew what they were making. Rough Drafts is made in Ireland, with designers and creative practitioners from across Europe and beyond — because the best creative process conversations don’t care about geography. Irish design has a distinctive voice, a particular relationship to craft, language, and identity, and a community of designers and practitioners who are doing genuinely original work on a global stage. Rough Drafts is a place to hear how that work actually gets made. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts — or sign up for updates at bouncecreative.ie and be the first to know who's coming up next. Every episode comes with, process images, and the materials guests brought to the conversation — the early sketches, the abandoned directions, the slides that didn't make it to the presentation. The stuff that usually ends up in the bin. That's the bit we're interested in. Rough Drafts is a podcast from BOUNCE — Ireland's independent platform for design thinking, creative process, and critical discourse.

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