The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) has launched its second annual campaign to highlight the need for a better gender balance in the Irish design sector.

Called ‘WhyDesign’, the campaign includes the launch of a website aimed at secondary school girls and their parents. The site gives practical information on design courses available at third level in Ireland and showcases some of Ireland’s leading female design success stories.

The 2019 campaign will profile Lorna Ross, design director, Fjord/Accenture; Lara Hanlon, designer-in-residence, IBM; and Ali Grehan, Dublin city architect, DCC.

In launching its campaign, IDI pointed out that there is currently 89% male leadership in the Irish creative sector.

Vodafone Business is backing the IDI campaign. Susan Foxton, head of Vodafone Business marketing, said that the firm is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion.

In Association with

“WhyDesign is an excellent initiative to address the gender imbalance in the design industry,” Foxton added. “We are lending our support to help raise awareness, inspire young women into creative sector and challenge the Irish creative community into making positive change.”

Kim MacKenzie-Doyle, president emeritus of the IDI and recent winner of the Creative Leader award at the Irish Women’s Awards, said that the Vodafone support will enable the WhyDesign initiative to increase its activities.

The expanded activities will include the launch of a pledge campaign in March 2019, asking leaders of Irish design agencies to pledge concrete proposals to improve the gender balance within their design practice.

Photo: Natasha Jen, partner at Pentagram New York, the world's largest independent design consultancy (Pic: Jason Clarke)