Last week (27–29 August), Kim presented The B!G Idea at Design POP as part of our ongoing campaign to increase national visibility of the programme. Design POP is an architecture, design and food festival that celebrates creativity, collaboration and Cork city — making it the perfect platform to highlight the importance of linking industry and education.
As Ireland’s first design and food hybrid festival, Design POP attracted over 45,000 visitors in its first year alone. Therefore, it offered a powerful stage to showcase how creative thinking can shape the future of education.
During the festival, Kim connected with several inspiring creatives from across Ireland’s design community.
She met Amy McKeogh, founder of Design POP and FIOR Studios, an architecture and multidisciplinary design studio. Amy has built a platform that celebrates innovation while strengthening Cork’s creative ecosystem.
Next, Jonathan Leahy Maharaj, Creative Lead at UCC Academy, shared insights from his journey through graphic design studios, agencies and print houses. Since graduating with a BA in Graphic Design, Jonathan has steadily progressed through the creative industry to his current leadership role.
The panel also featured Eugene Canavan, Medical Design Director at Design Partners. With more than 28 years of experience in product development across healthcare and consumer sectors, Eugene has received numerous international awards. In addition, he regularly lectures in Medical Device Design at NCAD.
Throughout the session, Kim focused on one central theme: connecting the creative industry with education.
The panel explored important questions, including:
These conversations reinforced a powerful message: creativity must be embedded early in education.
Moreover, all speakers agreed that industry engagement gives students real-world perspective, confidence and practical insight. By mentoring through The B!G Idea earlier this year, they witnessed first-hand how students grow when supported by professionals.
From the mentors’ perspective, connecting industry with education offers clear benefits.
Firstly, students gain exposure to real-world challenges. Secondly, they learn how creative thinking applies beyond the classroom. Finally, they build confidence through constructive feedback and collaboration.
Equally important, mentors described the experience as deeply rewarding. Seeing students develop ideas, refine their thinking and gain belief in their own creativity reaffirmed why programmes like The B!G Idea matter.
Importantly, this event marks just the beginning.
Design POP was the first in a series of high-profile engagements designed to strengthen The B!G Idea’s national presence. As we continue to champion creative education across Ireland, events like this help spark meaningful dialogue between educators, industry leaders and future innovators.
And this conversation is only getting started.
