Association is a Scottish graphic design agency specialising in branding, packaging, print and web. Founded by award-winning designer Michael O’Shea.
Association is the design studio of Michael O’Shea. His multidisciplinary practice crafts memorable and engaging ideas through a deep understanding of the audience’s world. This creates design that has thorough research, open collaboration and care at its heart.
His work has won over 80 national and international awards for design and effectiveness. These include four D&AD Pencils, eight DBA Awards, 10 Drum Roses Awards and 14 Scottish Design Awards. His design has also appeared in a number of respected publications including Phaidon’s A Smile in the Mind and held in collections including the Tate.
‘100% fact’ acquired by the National Galleries Scotland
The artist book project ‘100% fact’ has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland. The book looks at the nature of ‘fake news’ and has been included in the national collection held in the Reading Room of Modern Two at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Central Saint Martins talk
I was invited to speak about my recently published research paper by the Graphic Design Department at Central Saint Martins in London. I had a great day meeting the academics and talking to them about the fantastic set up they have and their own approach to teaching and ethics. I found it really inspiring.
UWE Centre for Print Research Fellowship
I have been appointed to a 3-year Visiting Fellowship by the University of the West of England’s (UWE) Centre for Print Research. I hope to work with UWE staff on a number of projects including exploring the use of print as sensory activation within communication. Can’t wait to get going!
Research paper published in MIT’s Design Issues journal
MIT’s journal Design Issues has just published my academic paper ‘Graphic Design Needs to Take Responsibility: Embedding Social Awareness and Ethics Through Social Science Knowledge and Pedagogical Change’. In light of the numerous social issues we are contending with today the paper looks at the role graphic design plays in setting and perpetuating stereotypes and defining our world. It can be downloaded here.
‘The Posters of the Nimrod Theatre’ article
I’ve written an article for the State Library of New South Wales’ magazine Openbook which has just been published. The article looks at the influential 1970s and 80s posters of Sydney’s Nimrod Theatre. It was an interesting period for the arts in Australia and if you haven’t seen the posters they are worth a look.
Scotland’s National Book Awards 2023
I was invited to be a judge for the ‘Book Cover Design of the Year’ award for the Saltire Society’s National Book Awards 2023. There were lots of great covers on display and Thomas MacGregor’s cover for the novel Rub-A-Dub-Dubwas a worthy winner.
