Business
Designs on the West
By Orla Gibney
28, Apr 2008 - 19:23

This week, on Friday, 2^nd May 2008, yet another Dublin business will relocate to the West of Ireland due to the economic and social benefits the region offers. Thriving graphic design company 'designwest' is relocating from Dublin to its new home in Kiltimagh Co. Mayo. Designwest is one of many businesses which have recently been attracted by the opportunities offered in the area; the move reflects the economic and lifestyle prospects on offer in the West of Ireland at time when people are increasingly seeking to achieve more of a work life balance.  This is why Graphic Designer, Declan Foley, brings designwest to Kiltimagh, along with his partner, and their 5-year old daughter.

Pictured right to left: Declan Foley of designwest points the out finer side of design to Tommy Marren – Midwest Radio

Ten years ago, when Declan left Kiltimagh opportunities for graphic designers were limited. Since then Declan has  worked with Dublin's top design and advertising agencies, on projects for household names such as: Tayto, Baileys, Nestle, kelloggs,  Batchelors, Smirnoff, Ballyfree, Denny, KitKat, Kerrymaid and many others.  He is also the designer behind the distinctive Carlsberg 'Tulip Glass', which has helped to set the beer apart from other brands in Ireland.

Explaining why he feels 'West is Best' – both for his company and his family Declan said: "As a native of Mayo, I've always had that yearning to return home 'to my roots'.  It's a beautiful place and I have family and friends here – many of whom have also relocated their businesses to the West over the past few years.  Plus I'm a fanatical fly fisherman, so I was always rushing back here to make the most of the fishing during the summer months! 

"It's great that there is so much more work here now than there was when I started my design career.  And, while I originally set up in Dublin, the fact I named it 'designwest' is a hint that I always planned to move back to this area."

Now, Declan is keen to share his award-winning design skills with businesses across the West and beyond.  He says, "Designwest can help with all kinds of design work – logos, leaflets, brochures, websites, exhibition stands, signage and even vehicle livery.  You name it, we can design it.  As our tagline says, 'designwest does design…and everything that goes with it!'."

 The decision to relocate the business to the West of Ireland has come from the demand for designwest's services from companies based in the region.  Already, the company has a raft of high profile local clients on its books, including: Ireland West Airport, Great Escapes and Midwest Radio. 

Tommy Marren, Midwest Radio, comments, "Design West has a very fresh and innovative approach to design and created some particularly striking designs for us on a number of projects.  I've found them to be very 'cutting edge' yet acutely aware of the importance of not going over the top.  The whole philosophy is based on reality – not fiction – and that's why Midwest Radio have used the services of Design West."