Michael O’Riordan
I’m a designer, researcher, and storyteller who turns complex ideas into simple, meaningful experiences. I have a wealth of experience as a designer in global higher education, and a growing love of design in healthcare settings. I enjoy working with curious and driven people who challenge norms. I am dedicated to using design to create smarter, kinder, and more human experiences.
hello@michaeloriordan.net
Research & Service Design
Everything Else
CV
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Education
Maynooth University
MSc. Design Innovation (2.1)
2023–2025
Technological University
of the Shannon
BA (Hons) Graphic & Digital Design
(1.1)
2017–2018
Student of the Year
Technological University
of the Shannon
BA Graphic Design
(1.1)
2014–2017
Student of the Year
Art & Design Portfolio
Moate Business College
2013–2014
ExperienceMaynooth University
Research Assistant
HIVE (Healthcare Innovation Value & Evaluation)
2025 - Present
Minerva University
Interim Design Director & Senior Manager, Brand Experience & Strategy
2023 - 2025
Maynooth University
Guest Lecturing
2025
Entrepreneur First
Brand & Creative Consultant
2022 - 2023
Minerva Project
Designer
2019 - 2022
Freelance Consulting
2014 - Present
Skillset
Adobe Creative Cloud
Figma & FigJam
Webflow
HTML & CSS familiarity
Miro
Brand Identity Systems
Marketing
& Communications Strategy
Enrollment Strategy & Marketing
Service Design
Product Design
Universal Design
Digital Content Creation
Video Direction & Editing
Motion Graphics
Editorial Design
Print & Packaging Design
Web Design
Logo Design
UI & Visual Design
Experience Design
Art & Creative Direction
Visual Communication
Typography
Project Management
Team Leadership & Supervision
Stakeholder Engagement
Co-design & Workshop Facilitation
Mentorship & Teaching
Presentations & Reports
Design Thinking
Design Led Innovation
Design Research & Synthesis
Interviewing & Thematic Analysis
Design Ethnography
Swimlane Diagrams
Journey & Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Prototyping & Usability Testing
AchievementsThematic analysis of FLCIs accepted for presentation at the Global Health Expo in Dublin in February 2027.
Presented ‘Understanding the impact of design-led healthcare innovation programmes: Qualitative case studies from frontline clinicians’ at European Healthcare Design Conference 2026.
Minerva University ranked #1 Most Innovative University in the World for four consecutive years (2022-2025) by WURI and placed in WURI’s Top 20 globally for University Brand & Reputation in 2025.
Featured in 100 Archive:
“In With the New”
Featured twice in Design Research Society’s “Best of Emerging Irish Design” (2018) for the project Rec’d
and Ryan Hoey’s ZINEGIRLZ
Brand Design & Strategy
Minerva University
Higher Ed & EdTech
2019-2025
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At Minerva University, I led brand experience, design, and strategy initiatives that reshaped how the institution presents itself to the world.
I oversaw the redesign of minerva.edu modernizing its structure, elevating the user experience, and aligning the digital presence with Minerva’s innovative educational model with the help of Edgar Allan Agency and our in-house team. Beyond the digital, I directed creative projects that embodied the university’s global and forward-thinking ethos, from developing visual systems and graduation materials to refining brand guidelines and strategic planning. This work strengthened Minerva’s identity, amplified its reach, and contributed to its recognition as one of the world’s most innovative universities.
Entrepreneur First
Talent Acceleration & Venture Capital
2022-2023
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I partnered with one of the world’s most dynamic talent-investment organisations to shape their visual brand and creative identity.
I designed and directed brand assets that supported EF’s mission of cultivating exceptional founders, translating complex ideas around innovation and entrepreneurship into clear, compelling visual stories. My work helped elevate the EF brand globally, reinforcing their positioning as a platform where ambitious talent becomes founding teams.
Anam Ceol Music Therapy
Therapeutic Services
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I brought together creative brand design and therapeutic purpose to give voice to a meaningful and heartfelt initiative, translating the healing power of music into a coherent identity and visual experience.
I shaped the brand’s creative direction, crafted bespoke visual assets, and aligned the design system with Anam Ceol’s mission to support emotional, physical and mental well-being through music in clinical settings. By doing so, I helped the organisation better articulate its value and connect with its audience across print, digital and experiential touchpoints.
Arborfeld
Hedge Care & Arboreal Services
2024
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I led the rebrand of a small hedge-care company into Arborfeld, transforming it into a modern, customer-focused brand. I designed the brand and market strategy end to end directly with the owners: from logo, color, and typography to positioning that conveyed trust, professionalism, and a down-to-earth, community-minded ethos with a focus on quality and sustainability.
Beyond branding, I managed UX from research to high-fidelity Figma prototypes, mapping user journeys and refining interfaces, mentoring a UX research intern, and collaborating closely with development to deliver production-ready assets. The result was a seamless build and a highly successful launch.
Consequent
Higher Ed
2019-2022
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Together with Ayo Seligman and Nicole Duran, I worked on the design of Consequent, the visual identity for Minerva University’s annual commencement ceremony.
The project celebrated the graduating class while expressing Minerva’s global, purpose-driven ethos. I developed the brand concept, visual system, and motion design to capture the idea of consequence: the impact of knowledge put into action. The resulting identity unified event materials, digital assets, and on-stage visuals into a cohesive experience that reflected both the gravity of the occasion and the optimism of Minerva’s mission.
Kayla
Artistry
2021
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I created a personal brand mark for a close friend and ceramic artist, developing a logo and monogram she could imprint onto her work.
What began as a simple request evolved into a thoughtful, collaborative process filled with exploration and iteration. Through long conversations and shared reflection, we uncovered the essence of her creative identity and translated it into a mark that felt authentic, tactile, and deeply personal and became a symbol that now lives at the intersection of her craft and story.