Alumni Stories - Leah Moore
"The recognition we received from our Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Awards achievements is a testament to the dedication and collaboration that went into designing SlumberShip. It will no doubt add value to our career journeys"
NCAD - Alumni Design Competition Achievement Interview
Designer: Leah Moore
Occupation: Designer
Course/Graduation: Interaction Design MA 2023
Disciplines: Graphic Design & Interaction Design
Residence: Limerick
Design Competition Awards:
Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Award 2023 in Product Design
Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Award 2023 in Design Collaboration
Briefly describe your design project?
The SlumberShip project was a co-design collaboration with my NCAD classmate and peer Maeve Whelan.
SlumberShip, aims to revolutionise bedtime routines for children by helping them establish a consistent and enjoyable night-time ritual. It addresses the common problem faced by young families of creating a regular bedtime routine for their children.
SlumberShip is designed for parents or guardians looking to make bedtime a more peaceful and engaging experience for their kids. It provides a unique solution to the challenge of creating a consistent nightly routine.
Our design development process began with the course module design assignment focused on the theme of "rituals." We quickly gravitated towards the concept of nightly bedtime rituals after conducting research, family interviews, and workshops with children. This research phase helped us understand the difficulties young families face when trying to establish a regular bedtime routine.
Once we had our idea, we entered the prototyping phase, where we collaborated with the NCAD technicians to gain valuable insights into machinery and coding. During this stage, we pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking, embracing innovative ideas that ultimately shaped SlumberShip. The project allowed us to learn and grow, expanding our horizons and pushing our creative boundaries.
Briefly describe how you look for high profile design competitions to enter?
In the relatively tight-knit Irish design community, connecting through social media and attending design events is crucial. Through these avenues, I've had the opportunity to learn about noteworthy design competitions through word of mouth and personal interactions.
The lecturers within the Interaction Design MA program at NCAD have been incredibly supportive and proactive in identifying suitable design competitions for their students. They regularly send out emails, urging everyone in the class to participate in upcoming awards, including the prestigious Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Awards 2023 Graduate Awards.
Additionally, given the close-knit nature of the local design community, peers have been a constant source of encouragement and support. They genuinely celebrate each other's achievements and are always excited to see fellow designers succeed.
Furthermore, it's not uncommon to hear about relevant design competitions from design professionals and networks, further highlighting the interconnected nature of the design field in Ireland.
Briefly describe the work that goes into submitting a professional design competition entry?
One of the great aspects of the Interaction Design MA program is that it naturally prepares us for professional design competitions with each project deliverable. When it comes to submitting a professional design competition entry, the key is to provide essential information and visual materials that enhance your work's credibility.
For visual presentations, it's crucial to include hero images or mockups of your design in a real-life context. This approach adds authenticity to your submission.
When capturing photos and videos, context, good lighting, focus, and a surplus of shots are vital. It's a good practice to use at least two devices to prevent potential issues such as corrupt files.
For the Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Awards competition, we didn't include CAD or rendering drawings in the submission. We believed that our hero images and product video offered ample visual information and demonstrated the effort put into SlumberShip. However, for other design competitions, including CAD drawings can be valuable as they provide insight into the design process, which many designers appreciate.
We included a promotional video in our submission, featuring a four-year-old child using SlumberShip. This video effectively conveyed the product's essence and contributed to making SlumberShip stand out in the competition.
Briefly describe what was it about your submission that made it stand-out from the competition?
This project was a collaborative effort with my NCAD classmate and peer, Maeve Whelan. We were partners throughout the entire process. Our journey began with the goal of making bedtime routines more relaxing, and after a thorough research, we honed in on the SlumberShip concept. Through sketching and prototyping, we were able to bring our concept to life visually.
Maeve and I worked so well together and I think our teamwork and shared passion for SlumberShip were evident in our competition entries, which helped set it apart. Our collaboration and design skills were acknowledged with the Product Design & Collaboration Design Awards.
In the fast-paced three-week timeline of this project, we maintained a swift workflow to sustain momentum. We dedicated an intensive week to research, interviews, and workshops, and the insights from this phase informed our concept generation, sketches, and prototypes. In the final week and a half, we practically lived in the workshop, demonstrating our commitment and determination to our design. This dedication was a key factor in our project's success.
Briefly describe what impact will your design competition success make?
The recognition we received from our Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Awards achievements is a testament to the dedication and collaboration that went into designing SlumberShip. It will no doubt add value to our career journeys.
Firstly, it's a strong endorsement of our design skills and innovative thinking. This achievement will be a valuable addition to our CVs, showcasing our ability to plan, design, and complete successful projects.
It is also featured on our LinkedIn profiles, indicating our design expertise and industry acknowledgment. This not only establishes credibility but also signals to potential employers, clients, and partners that we consistently strive for excellence in our work.
Regarding career development, this recognition can open doors to new opportunities, increase our visibility in the design community, and attract potential clients and collaborations. It will help us stand out in competitive job markets, potentially leading to career advancements or exciting projects.
In a nutshell, the Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Awards recognition is more than just an award; it's a valuable asset that boosts our professional presence, improves our CVs and LinkedIn profiles, and enhances our career prospects, ultimately contributing to our ongoing success in the design field.
While the Institute of Designers in Ireland Graduate Awards achievement are not financial awards, its value lies in the opportunities it creates and the recognition it provides. Winning this award offers significant advantages that go beyond monetary gain.
