NCAD Students Win Creative Conscience Global Awards
Four student groups from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin, have been recognised for their innovative and impactful projects at this year's Creative Conscience Awards
These awards celebrate creative ideas that promote social impact and empower individuals, and NCAD’s students have been honoured for their work addressing critical social issues, from combating online extremism to promoting inclusivity in education and menstrual health awareness.
Biodiversity Cyclical Calendar by Luke Carvill — SILVER AWARD
The biodiversity cyclical calendar, a non-linear tool designed for use in any year, won a silver award. Each month, users select a task appropriate for that season, such as creating a wildlife pond, planting native wildflowers, or supporting local bird populations. The calendar motivates individuals to actively promote biodiversity in their own gardens. The biodiversity calendar contains four seasonal posters with monthly tasks, illustrations, and QR codes linking to detailed PDFs, aimed at inspiring eco-friendly actions from public space visitors. This project promotes environmental awareness and action at a grassroots level, empowering individuals to make a tangible difference in their communities.
‘Reality Checkers' by Christopher Kelly and Francis Fogarty — BRONZE AWARD
Christopher and Francis were awarded bronze for their project 'Reality Checkers,' a board game designed to educate families on the dangers of online manipulation, particularly targeting the indoctrination of young men into extremist online communities. Consulting with a child psychologist, the duo developed a family-friendly board game where players race around collecting 'social media chips' and answer questions about online manipulation tactics. The goal is to build resilience against misinformation and foster awareness of extremist recruitment methods in a fun and engaging way.
‘Let's Sign' by Julieta Rodriguez and Erne Rodgers — HIGHLY COMMENDED
Julietta and Erne have created 'Let's Sign,' an immersive card game that reimagines Irish Sign Language (ISL) learning. Designed with vibrant visuals and inclusive elements, their project offers an engaging way for children and families to learn the ISL alphabet. More than just a game, it advocates for the integration of sign language into mainstream education, empowering individuals with crucial communication skills. The highly commended project aims to break down communication barriers and promote linguistic diversity within Irish schools. Julietta and Erne’s vision is to foster a culture where sign language is embraced, not just as an educational tool, but as a vital part of communication for all.
'Ré' by Katie Mc Corley and Kelly Counahan — HIGHLY COMMENDED
Highly commended, 'Ré, addresses the stigma and lack of primary school education surrounding menstruation. Aimed at girls aged 9–11, Ré is an informational box that provides discreet and essential resources to help young students learn about their menstrual cycles. By fostering open and informed discussions about periods, this project seeks to combat misinformation and embarrassment surrounding this natural process. Ré is designed for use in primary schools and complements the HSE’s existing educational programmes. It provides young students with the tools and confidence to better understand and manage their periods in a supportive environment.
About the Creative Conscience Awards
The Creative Conscience Awards celebrate creativity for social impact, highlighting projects that inspire positive change through design, innovation, and art. The annual awards recognise individuals and teams who tackle real-world issues through creative solutions, encouraging a new generation of change-makers.
NCAD’s Commitment to Socially Engaged Design
These projects were addressed under the mentorship and guidance of Lecturers Aoife McInerney (Programme Leader BA Graphic Design) and Stephanie Connolly (PT Lecturer), and reflect NCAD’s dedication to fostering socially engaged designers who are ready to address complex challenges through creativity and collaboration. The recognition at the Creative Conscience Global Awards showcases the power of art and design in shaping a more inclusive, informed, and socially conscious world.
