If you're new to 100 Archive, we follow a two-stage process to curate each year's archive selection. This process involves two panels comprised of your design peers, alongside individuals closely connected to design practice, such as educators, curators, historians, and commissioners. The first stage of review is undertaken by the Professional Panel who confirm a project's eligibility for inclusion in the 100 Archive. Then the Archive panelists each shortlist 100–150 projects, selecting work that can be described as well-executed, well-crafted, relevant, innovative, interesting, a reflection of life/culture/business/society, or a combination of those. It is the job of the Archive Panel to select 100–no more and no less–projects that they believe to be exemplars of contemporary Irish design.
100 Archive would like to praise our outgoing Archive Panel members for creating the annual selections for 2021–2024. Thank you to Killian Walsh, Jason Wilson-Max, Mel O’Rourke, Danielle Townsend, and Michael McDermott for all your hard work!
Now, please welcome aboard the new (and somewhat familiar) Archive Panel:
Danielle Townsend
Danielle Townsend is a designer, educator, and strategist committed to advancing design excellence and supporting emerging talent. As founder and curator of BOUNCE, she fosters critical discourse, experimentation, and meaningful connections in the design community. Alongside BOUNCE, Danielle consults on education and design, enhancing academic standards and bridging industry gaps. She co-founded The New Now, a platform connecting graduates with employers, and serves as Board Director at the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI).
With extensive experience in higher education, she has shaped design programmes across Ireland and contributes to awards like the European Design Awards, The Irish Print Awards, 100 Archive, and CEUD Universal Design Awards. Danielle also advises the government forum for the Roadmap for the Creative Sector, focusing on professional accreditation and graduate opportunities. A lifelong learner and advocate for innovation, she has led commercial projects and continues to inspire the next generation while driving progress within the design sector.
Ross Curran
Ross is the Creative Director at DesignWorks. Over the last 18 years, he has developed particular expertise in brand development, transforming strategy into coherent, effective, and compelling brand and visual identity design.
Ross has been responsible for some of DesignWorks’ most cherished, memorable, and impactful identities and campaigns – Vermeer at The National Gallery of Ireland, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.ie, MyWaste, Bord Bia, St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, and the Irish Heritage Trust, among others.
As Creative Director, Ross guides the studio team in crafting creative solutions to strategic challenges, building meaningful value for clients, and driving positive change through design.
Kate Lydon
Kate Lydon is a seasoned design leader working across strategy, user experience, and organizational transformation. She spent over a decade at global design and innovation consultancy IDEO, delivering transformative work and business impact, and leading its public services practice. As Head of Design at Nextdoor, she helmed a product and brand redesign that helped grow the mobile app’s user base to over 40 million people. Most recently, she built products and systems to support care as Chief Design Officer at The Holding Co. Her career has also included trendspotting, teaching typography, and a graduate degree in architecture.
Emma Conway
Emma has over 10 years of experience in the design industry and has worked in both Dublin and Rotterdam agencies. Prior to joining The National Library of Ireland where she is the first in-house graphic designer, she worked at Image Now, Dept (Rotterdam) and Language where she was lead designer on various projects which included clients such as Temple Bar Gallery, The Yes Campaign and Trinity College Dublin.
Emma’s areas of specialities lie within typography, branding and archiving. She has also been recognised for her independent projects for the music and arts scene in Dublin and has been featured in Totally Dublin and the District Magazine.
Michael McDermott
Michael McDermott is the current Director of the Liberties Festival. He undertakes side projects and events under neighbrhd.com working with the likes of Irish Design Week and Nialler9. Previously he was editor of Totally Dublin and publisher of Le Cool Dublin.
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Meet our Professional Panel for 2025–27 →