ICAD honour IADT President David Smith with prestigious Catherine Donnelly Award
The annual ICAD awards are a celebration of creative excellence in Irish advertising and design, this year they took place at the National Stadium Dublin showcasing the best creatives working within the industry in Ireland.
In presenting the award, ICAD President Kasia Ozmin said, “As President of IADT, David’s contribution to our creative industries is immense. Beyond his academic leadership, David’s influence extends deeply into the professional design world. As the principal of the widely acclaimed design studio Atelier, he has been a driving force in the evolution of Irish design for decades. Under his leadership, Atelier has become a benchmark of creative excellence, with work receiving numerous awards, being showcased globally, and featured in renowned collections worldwide—highlighting the international impact of his talent.
David’s influence extends far beyond his personal accomplishments. He co-founded the 100Archive, a platform that preserves the history of Irish graphic design, and has served as an advisor to the National Strategy for Design. His leadership continues to shape the future of design, both in Ireland and internationally, as an Executive Member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale.”
With ICAD’s clear mission to ‘foster, promote and reward creative excellence’ it was an impressive night for IADT with so many talented graduates walking away with design awards across categories.
David Holohan, Chair of IADT Governing Body said: “I am delighted to congratulate David Smith on this esteemed award. As President of IADT, and as a distinguished practitioner in design, David is playing a key role in promoting and supporting Ireland’s creative industries. IADT’s recently published Strategic Plan outlines our distinct vision and the pivotal role we continue to play in Ireland’s creative economy and the changing landscape of higher education. ICAD’s acknowledgment of David’s professional leadership, along with the contributions from recent IADT graduates, strengthens the Institute’s commitment to its ambitious strategic plan.”