B!G Interview – Cormac O’Conaire

B!G Interview – Cormac O’Conaire on Creativity and Mentoring

In this B!G Interview, Cormac O’Conaire explores creativity, mentoring, and learning. As Chief Design Officer at Design Partners and a B!G Idea mentor, Cormac shares why creative skills matter at second level and how mentoring helps students grow in confidence and curiosity.

Why do you think creative skills are important at second level?

Creative skills matter because creativity brings joy.
Not only do students enjoy the process of creating, but they also feel proud when they see something completed.

Importantly, The B!G Idea combines creativity with learning.
That mix of joy and education is powerful — and it makes learning meaningful.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is similar to coaching. It involves sharing knowledge and experience with someone earlier in their journey. Through mentoring, you help amplify strengths and support growth.
Above all, it is about investing time in someone else’s progress.

In this B!G Interview, Cormac O’Conaire reflects on what makes mentoring valuable for both students and professionals.

Can you take us through the B!G Idea mentoring process?

The B!G Idea mentoring process is iterative. First, students complete a piece of creative work and submit it for review. Next, mentors provide feedback, guidance, and insights from experience.
After that, students return to their ideas, refine them, and resubmit their work for further feedback. This cycle encourages reflection, learning, and improvement.

What was the most important part of mentoring for you?

For me, the most important part is answering the “why” question.
Why should this idea exist?
Why should anyone care?

If students can answer those questions, their ideas become meaningful and impactful.

What was your biggest takeaway from mentoring?

I’ve been mentoring for about 15 years. Still, I continue to be impressed by the creativity of the next generation. In particular, the students’ video presentations stood out. Their passion was clear, and it motivated me to do better as a mentor.

Would you have benefited from The B!G Idea when you were in school?

Absolutely. I would have been proud to include a programme like The B!G Idea on my CV or portfolio.

Did you feel supported during the mentoring process?

Yes, completely. The process was seamless and well supported by The B!G Idea team. It was easy to get involved, respectful of time, and genuinely rewarding. Most importantly, the students were phenomenal.

Would you recommend mentoring to others?

Yes, without hesitation. Mentoring can be incredibly rewarding. While it does require time and thoughtful feedback, the impact is worth it. Seeing someone else grow makes the experience truly special.

• Visit our Mentors page
• Get involved