I am a strategic designer and founder of nmcDesign, working at the intersection of sport, culture, and community. I help organisations clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how that shows up—visually, verbally, and consistently. My role is to step back, define the real problem, and build design systems that hold up in the real world—across teams, platforms, and time.

Neill MacCann

I am a strategic designer and founder of nmcDesign, working at the intersection of sport, culture, and community. I help organisations clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how that shows up—visually, verbally, and consistently. My role is to step back, define the real problem, and build design systems that hold up in the real world—across teams, platforms, and time.

Available to hire

I am a strategic designer and founder of nmcDesign, working at the intersection of sport, culture, and community. I help organisations clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how that shows up—visually, verbally, and consistently. My role is to step back, define the real problem, and build design systems that hold up in the real world—across teams, platforms, and time.

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Experience Level

Expert

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer at Fuzion Communications
January 1, 2022 - Present
Worked within an integrated PR and marketing agency on national and regional campaigns, supporting deadline-driven campaign delivery.
Visual Designer at Nudge
January 1, 2022 - Present
Worked within a behavioural design consultancy, applying behavioural insights to brand and marketing design. Designed visual touchpoints that guide attention and reduce friction. Strengthened a design approach grounded in evidence.
Graphic Designer at Spraoi International Street Arts Festival
January 1, 2018 - Present
Designed campaign and communication systems for one of Ireland’s largest public festivals, ensuring clarity and legibility across fast-moving settings.
Visual Designer at Waterford Walls
January 1, 2017 - Present
Designed campaign and communication assets for a major international street art festival, translating cultural programming into clear visual communication.
Visual Designer at Waterford Walls (The Walls Project)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Designed campaign and communication assets for a major international street art festival, translated cultural programming into clear visual communication.
Design & Visual Communications at Garter Lane Arts Centre
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2022
Supported visual communication and audience engagement for a leading arts organisation, developing clear communication systems for public audiences.
Graphic Designer at The Marketing Table
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Delivered day-to-day design across marketing channels focusing on print, digital, and social content.
Founder & Creative Director at nmcDesign
January 1, 2010 - Present
Lead a design studio specialising in strategic identity and communication for sport, cultural, and purpose-led organisations. Focus on brand positioning and strategic direction, identity systems and visual frameworks, practical guidelines and scalable asset systems, and oversight of rollout across digital, print, and environment.

Education

BA (Hons) Visual Communications at Waterford Institute of Technology
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2010
BA (Hons) Product Design, Industrial and Product Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University
January 11, 2030 - May 15, 2026
Building Services Engineering at Cork Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - May 15, 2026
Business Growth & Management Development Programme at Skillnet
January 11, 2030 - May 15, 2026
BA (Hons) Visual Communications at Waterford Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
BA (Hons) Product Design, Industrial and Product Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
Building Services Engineering at Cork Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
BA (Hons) Visual Communications at Waterford Institute of Technology
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2010
BA (Hons) Product Design, Industrial and Product Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007
Building Services Engineering at Cork Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - June 2, 2026

Qualifications

BA(Hons) Visual Communications
May 19, 2026 - May 19, 2026
Business Growth & Management Development Programme
January 11, 2030 - May 19, 2026
Business Growth & Management Development Programme
January 11, 2030 - June 2, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Education
    nmcDesign — Brand Evolution

    As the studio evolved, the original nmcDesign identity no longer reflected the strategic nature of the work being delivered. The challenge was to move beyond the perception of a graphic design service and establish a clearer position centred on strategy, culture and organisational alignment.

    The project involved a complete review of the studio’s positioning, messaging, visual language and communication systems. Rather than focusing on aesthetics, the work centred on defining a clear point of view: Strategic Design for Sport, Culture + Cause.

    The resulting system established a unified framework across brand strategy, tone of voice, case studies, proposals, presentations and visual communications. Every element was designed to reinforce consistency, strengthen positioning and create a recognisable studio identity capable of scaling across future projects.

    The outcome was greater clarity in how the studio presents itself, who it serves and the type of work it wants to attract.

    Waterford Educate Together — Identity Development

    Waterford Educate Together National School had grown as an organisation, but its visual identity had not kept pace. The existing logo lacked clarity, consistency and flexibility, making it difficult to communicate the school’s values across digital and physical touchpoints.

    The challenge was not simply to redesign a logo. It was to create a clearer visual system that reflected the school’s ethos while supporting future communications, awareness campaigns and community engagement.

    nmcDesign conducted a review of the existing identity, explored opportunities for greater consistency and developed a strategic framework centred around three priorities: brand consistency, visual representation of the school’s core pillars, and increased public awareness. The project included identity development, brand guidelines, communication templates and a framework for future campaign activity.

    The outcome was a more coherent visual system designed to strengthen recognition, improve consistency and provide the school with the tools needed to communicate confidently across all

    A Place Like Home — Theatre Identity

    A Place Like Home is a theatre production by Little Red Kettle exploring memory, belonging and place through an intergenerational lens.

    The challenge was to create a visual identity that balanced warmth and nostalgia without slipping into sentimentality. Early creative exploration revealed a tension between playful storytelling and contemporary cultural relevance. The identity needed to feel accessible for younger audiences while retaining depth for adult viewers.

    nmcDesign developed the visual identity system from initial style exploration through to final campaign artwork. The project involved strategic visual development, moodboard creation, typography exploration, poster design and a flexible graphic system capable of working across print, social and promotional materials.

    The final direction drew on the visual language of hardware stores and everyday objects from the narrative itself, creating an identity rooted in the story rather than decorative theatre clichés. The result was a distinctive and adaptable campaign system that gave the production a confident public presence across multiple channels.

    Swingyard Brand Identity

    Swingyard is a technology-led golf driving range experience developed by Carr Golf Group.

    The challenge was creating a brand for an abstract name while appealing to a younger audience beyond traditional golf culture. The identity needed to feel playful, contemporary and recognisable without relying on established golf visual clichés.

    nmcDesign led the development of the brand identity system, visual guidelines and launch assets. Through workshops, strategic exploration and visual development, we created a distinctive identity designed to work consistently across digital, social and physical touchpoints.

    Deliverables included brand identity, logo design, brand guidelines, landing page assets, social media graphics and marketing collateral.

    The result was a clear and differentiated brand that helped position Swingyard as a modern golf experience while providing the team with a scalable visual system for launch and future growth.