GRAPHIC PROP DESIGN
WORKSHOPS

What will the workshop cover?

• Understanding the brief: how to pick apart a book or a script to understand the story you're trying to tell—whether you're making props for a film, an escape room, a museum, or your own project.

• Research: how to find great artefacts to use as inspiration, and how to pick apart the design methods that created them in order to imitate them effectively.

• Storytelling: how to elevate your graphic props so that they move from being simply ‘realistic’ to something more like ‘authentic’ – illustrating a character’s journey and making pieces that feel as though they've genuinely lived in your imaginary world.

• Typesetting, lettering, and hand-writing: when to use fonts, when to draw by hand, and how to cheat at all this when time, budget or confidence are against you.

• Resources: archives, museums, font suggestions, and links to various other helpful resources.

• Practical exercises: We'll make an authentic 1950s passport because it combines typography, ageing, research, printing techniques and storytelling in a single object.

• Presentation: how to curate your work to show it off at its best.

• Connecting: How to approach art departments, publishers, museums and other creative employers with a portfolio that demonstrates your way of thinking.

Confidence
As well as the list above, I also like to send everyone home with two key takeaways: firstly, confidence. Whether you're designing for a historical drama, a museum exhibition or your own book, you'll constantly be asked to make things you've never made before. The trick isn't knowing how to do everything—it's trusting yourself to figure it out.

The second is resourcefulness. I'm not an expert calligrapher, bookbinder, signwriter or printer. Filmmaking has taught me to be a little bit good at lots of different things, and I've learnt when to fake it, when to ask for help, and when a clever shortcut is better than perfection.

Where will the workshop take place?
We’ll be in the Joyce Room of the old Woollen Mill restaurant, which looks out to the Ha’Penny Bridge on Dublin’s river Liffey.

Will we actually be making our pieces during the workshop?
No! We’ll make a couple of physical prop-makes, but it’s going to take you weeks to work on your own designs. We’ll set up a WhatsApp group where you can share your progress with the group in the weeks (or months!) afterwards and you can ask me any questions by email if you get stuck. I find that the most successful groups are the ones who form a little community, and some of the work my students have gone on to make is absolutely beautiful.

How many spaces do you have on each workshop?
I’ll be keeping this group size small and limiting it to six or seven people, so that we have time to listen properly to all your ideas.

What should I do to prepare for the workshop? Do I need certain qualifications? Should I bring something with me?
All attendees should have some kind of a background in design or illustration. You will need a notebook and pen with you, and some kind of device to research images online – iPad, laptop, or smartphone etc. When you book your place I’ll send out an email with some suggested reading and viewing material before we get started.

How much is the workshop and what is covered?
The workshop is €800 per person, paid in two instalments. This covers the two days of tuition, access to the subsequent WhatsApp support group, and feedback on your portfolio pieces as and when you make them. It also includes lunch both days – we will all eat together in the restaurant beneath the studio.

Will I get a certificate?
Yes, but the catch is you have to make it yourself :)

This course is for you if...

• You're a graphic designer, illustrator or maker who loves paper.

• You're interested in graphic storytelling and world-building.

• You're considering a career in film—or simply want to make more believable fictional objects for your own work.

• You'd like to become more confident mixing digital and traditional techniques.

When is the next workshop?

All of this year’s workshops are now fully booked. The workshops will return next year, with the first session starting in January. Tickets are on sale now:

How can I hear about new workshop dates?

Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Instagram. Or, if you’re really keen to secure a place, you can drop me a message on my contact page and I’ll add your name to the waiting list. The workshops tend to sell out quite quickly as I really like to keep the groups quite small, I’m sorry!