Profile: Neil O'Donoghue – Only Natural Design Competitions

Neil O'Donoghue

Maynooth University

MSc in Design Innovation

From a young age Neil has been fascinated by space and the role design plays in how we experience it. His work reflects his desire to create instinctive and innovative design. As a craftsman he prides himself on the quality and attention to detail of his work. Inspired by an ironic contrast of the quirkiness of Ettore Sottsass’ work and the discipline of Dieter Rams’ principles, Neils design ethos is to create functional, simple and at times fun furniture. Born in 1995 in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, he spent his formative years displaying and selling his artwork in markets across Galway, where he gained the invaluable experience of being immersed in the environment of fellow craftsmen and entrepreneurs. Neil spent 2 years studying Architectural Design prior to making the transition in 2019 to Furniture Design and Manufacture at ATU Connemara where he studied for 4 years and left with a first class honours degree. He is currently studying a Masters degree in Design Innovation at Maynooth University. His design approach reflects his exploratory attitude towards materials and enjoys the challenge of questioning preconceptions one may have with a given material. Three words are at the foundation of his work: Transparency, circularity and renewability.

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Groove

Category: Furniture

Competitions: Home Competition [Now Closed]

Groove is a collection of four fully recyclable furniture products inspired by the curvilinear forms found in nature in the west of Ireland. Groove is designed in response to the EU Legislation in progress ‘Ecodesign for Sustainable Product’s Regulation’. To comply with the incoming EU Legislation, the European furniture industry faces the challenge of moving away from fossil-based materials and promoting the push for renewable materials. Each product in Groove, consists of three materials, assembled without the use of adhesives, allowing the ease of separation at the products end of life. Two of the materials are biodegradable; linoleum and cotton, with the other being fully recyclable; glass. The target audience for Groove is people living in small living spaces. Housing statistics show that there is an increase in homes being built in Ireland each year, but that these homes are smaller in size. As a result people will be faced with the challenge of making the most of their space, with a need to create meaningful interior environments. Various iterations of the concept were brought to people living in small living spaces for feedback. The concept was developed by utilising principles from environmental and architectural psychology, such as incorporating natural materials, curvilinear forms found in nature and warm colours to illicit emotions of tranquillity and relaxation. Groove experiments with utilising the sustainable material linoleum in a furniture context, as well as the challenge of not using adhesives. Groove is a mobile, functional and playful collection which experiments with eco-friendly materials and assembly processes. Groove enables people to create different zones within small living spaces in an eco-conscious way. The Groove collection is carefully and thoughtfully handcrafted, which ensures each product is produced to a high level and is designed to last. Differing colours, diameters and heights gives one the autonomy to mix and match the collection to meet the ever changing requirements of a living space and to be treasured for a lifetime.