Michael O’Riordan




Hi, I’m Mikey. 

I’m a designer, researcher, and storyteller who turns complex ideas into simple, meaningful experiences. I love working with curious people who challenge norms and use design to make things smarter, kinder, and more human, with a growing focus on teaching, creative education, and game development.

hello@michaeloriordan.net




Everything Else 

Other projects, drafts, roughwork, and unused ideas.

UX Research & Product Design sections coming soon. 
CV

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Education
Maynooth University
MSc. Design Innovation
2023–2025

Technological University of the Shannon
BA (Hons) Graphic & Digital Design
First Class Honours
2017–2018
Student of the Year

Technological University of the Shannon
BA Graphic Design
First Class Honours
2014–2017
Student of the Year

Art & Design Portfolio
Moate Business College
2013–2014


ExperienceMinerva University
Interim Design Director & Senior Manager, Brand Experience & Strategy
2023 - 2025

Maynooth University
Lecturing
2025

Entrepreneur First
Brand & Creative Consultant
2022 - 2023

Minerva Project
Designer
2019 - 2022

Freelance Consulting
2014 - Present




Skillset
Adobe Creative Cloud
Figma
Webflow
FigJam
HTML & CSS familiarity

Brand Identity & Strategy
Marketing & Communications Strategy
Digital Marketing
Enrollment Strategy & Marketing
Digital Content Creation
Video Direction & Editing
Motion Graphics 
Editorial Design
Print & Packaging Design
Web Design
Logo Design
Product Design
Service Design
UI & Visual Design
UX Research
Experience Design
Art & Creative Direction
Storytelling & Narrative Design
Visual Communication
Design System Building & Management
Typography

Design Thinking
Global Team Management
Workshop Facilitation
Mentorship & Teaching




AchievementsMinerva University ranked #1 Most Innovative University in the World for four consecutive years (2022-2025) by WURI.

Minerva University placed in WURI’s Top 20 globally for University Brand & Reputation in 2025.

Featured in 100 Archive: 
“In With the New”

Student of the Year in 2017 & 2018

Featured twice in Design Research Society’s “Best of Emerging Irish Design” (2018) for the project Rec’d and Ryan Hoey’s ZINEGIRLZ









Selected Work






Minerva University
2019-2025

See More 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
2022-2023

See More 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

See More
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
2024

See More 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
2019

See More 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
2021

See More 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.