Michael O’ Riordan


Design, Brand Strategy, and Innovation

      Hi, I’m Mikey. With extensive experience in Brand Strategy and Design, I bring a versatile skillset that allows me to excel in dynamic, interdisciplinary environments. I’m passionate about collaborating with forward-thinking individuals and organizations—innovators and thought leaders who embrace disruption and challenge conventional boundaries.

    Whether it’s creating a brand identity, developing scalable global products, or designing impactful experiences that foster meaningful connections, my mission is always the same: to create work that not only inspires but also educates and empowers. My ultimate aspiration is to contribute at the intersection of design, education, and innovation, where creativity and learning converge to shape the future.

Get in touch with me here:
hello@michaeloriordan.net


Minerva University
  1. Ascent
  2. Civitas
  3. Elevation
  4. Foundation Week
  5. Sapientia Critica
  6. Graduation
  7. Meridians
  8. Quinquatria
  9. Website


Minerva Project
  1. Consequent
  2. Advertising
  3. Website


Entrepreneur First
  1. Brand Consultation
  2. How To Be a Founder
  3. The Polaris Fellowship


Minerva Baccalaureate
  1. Various Works
  2. Website


Various Projects
  1. Anam Ceol Music Therapy
  2. Paul Quinn College
  3. Kayla
  4. BSKC
  5. MINT
  6. REC’D
  7. Miscellaneous


Experience

Minerva Project - 2019/2022
Designer

Entrepreneur First - 2022/2023
Brand Strategy Consultant

Minerva University - 2023 - Current
Interim Design Director,
Senior Brand Designer,
Strategy & Planning Manager

Freelance - Current

Studio93 - 2017
Junior Designer


Education

Moate Business College 2013 - 2014
Art & Design Portfolio

Technological University of the Shannon:
Midlands 2014 - 2017
BA Graphic Design
First Class Honours

Technological University of the Shannon:
Midlands 2017 - 2018
BA Honours Graphic & Digital Design
First Class Honours

MSc. Design Innovation
2023 - 2025
(In Progress)


Accolades

TUS BA Graphic Design - Student of the Year 2017

Featured in Design Research Society 2018 Exhibiton ‘Best of Emerging Irish Design’ for the self-directed project ‘Recd’ and also for work produced in Ryan Hoey’s project ‘ZINEGIRLZ’

Featured in the 100 Archive’s “In with the new” article series.

Part of the team that helped Minerva University get listed as WURI’s “Most Innovative University in the World” in 2022.
Mark
How to be a Founder


2022 / 2023
Book Design: Bloomsbury
Art Direction & Wireframing: Michael O’ Riordan
Design & Development: alchemy.digital
 

            Entrepreneur First founders Matt Clifford and Alice Bentinck wrote a book together that collated their vast experience and defined exactly what it took to be a founder in an extremely competitive world. It is an excellent read and doesn’t do anything to glamorise the mountain a founder has to climb to become a success.

            Part of my time at EF was spent directing a website design and launch that would help sell the book, further position Matt and Alice as thought leaders in the founder/startup/VC world and also serve as another route for people to find and join EF’s main program. The only direction I had to go on was the typeface and spot gloss red underline on the book cover designed by Bloomsbury. I made wireframes for the site and walked through them with members of the Product team at EF, then worked with Alchemy Digital to design the website. They were excellent and nailed the direction first try. A pleasure to work with and without a doubt the project wouldn’t have launched without them. Also, this project ended up sparking off the idea for the main brand’s visual refresh.

Visit the live site 🡥


Branding
Design Direction
UXUI
Wireframing


Mark