Blog Profile

My name is Garrett Stokes. I am a partner in Catalysto. This blog is mainly about the Creative, Design, Innovation, Applied Arts sectors in Ireland and Internationally. It will provide information relating to a number of topics that are important to the sector – the World Design Capital (WDC) (Pivot Dublin project) for example, the Innovation Economy that we are trying to build in Ireland, and the establishment of the Irish Creative Industries Council (ICIC).

I am a highly motivated, creative, professional and highly enthusiastic design practitioner and industry leader. I write, blog, talk, motivate and inspire on the closely related subjects of Design and Innovation. I have served in leadership positions nationally and internationally – as President of the Art Directors Club of Europe [ADCoE] (fostering / rewarding the creative work of 60,000 members of Creative Organisations across Europe) and as President of The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design in Ireland [ICAD].

I am currently Chairperson of the national organisation supporting the design industry in Ireland – Design Business Ireland [DBI], and a member of the Design Week organising Committee.

My ‘day’ job is with Catalysto – a successful and reputable full-service graphic design practice, based in Dublin, where my international experience and mindset informs my approach to the business of design. I am the Creative Director at Catalysto.

I regularly act as jury member or chairperson on international creative juries and provide expertise to creative organisations during their establishment or re-structuring.

This Blog is used extensively as a resource by practitioners and commentators on a range of issues including public policy on unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries, creative industry development, design sector infrastructure and (currently) on Dublin’s bid to become World Design Capital 2014.

Specialties
Writer, speaker, practitioner with international leadership expertise in creative industry, branding / brand development, innovation, persuasive ‘change-maker’ on the subjects of design infrastructure – city development – design and society.

Here are some biographical details:

President of The Art Directors Club of Europe (ADC*E) based in Barcelona
President of The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design (ICAD)
Jury Chairman: New Media Jury / Art Directors Club of Estonia 2007
Jury Member: International New Media Jury / ADCoE Barcelona 2005
Jury Chairman: International Film Jury / ADCoE London 2004
Past Board Member of the National Organisation: Design Ireland

Founding Board Member: Design Business Ireland (formerly Graphic Design Business Association of Ireland)

Coinage Designer: I designed the final coin of the Irish Currency for the Central Bank of Ireland – the Millennium Pound coin featuring the Broighter Boat – following which Ireland switched currencies to the Euro

Memberships:

Honorary Member of The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design (ICAD)
Mission: “to foster, promote and reward creative excellence in Irish Advertising & Design.”

Member of Design Business Ireland
“the national body representing, supporting and promoting the Irish design consultancy sector.”

Member of Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI)
“the premier worldwide organisation dedicated to type and typography

Member of The International Institute for Information Design (IIID)
“founded to develop research and practice in optimizing information and information systems for knowledge transfer in everyday life, business, education and science.”