Photograph by Alex Sinclair
Employment
2023 - present: Music Generation Dublin City (Music Educator)
2022 - 2023: University of Limerick (Lecturer in Audio & Video)
2014 - present: IADT (Visiting Lecturer in Graphic Design)
2020-2012: BIMM Dublin (Lecturer in Music Marketing & Design)
2019-2020: Tiny Ark (Video Editor)
2014-2019: Zero-G (Brand Strategist & Motion Designer)
2012 - 2014: Windmill Lane Post-Production (Motion Designer)
Education:
MA (First Class) in Art & Techology, University of Limerick (2022)
BA (Hons, First Class) in Graphic Design, IADT (2012)
Areas of Expertise:
Art Direction
Graphic Design, Typography
Video Editing, Animation, Motion Graphics (Premiere, Final Cut, Da Vinci Resolve)
Music Production (Ableton Live, ProTools, Max, Reaper)
Songwriting, Composition
Live Sound Engineering
Multimedia Installation Design
Education, Mentorship, Group Facilitation
I am an interdisciplinary artist and educator, specialising in the fields of visual design, music production, live performance and experimental video. My employment history involves working as an international touring musician, a music producer, a brand strategist, a graphic designer, a video artist and an educator. My ability to lead a group and communicate in a clear, empathetic and motivating manner has led to lecturing positions at IADT, BIMM Institute and University of Limerick.
I have twenty years of experience in composing, performing, producing and engineering music. I spent my teenage years active in the North-Wicklow punk scene, performing in bands, putting on all-ages shows and organising tours across Ireland. In 2007 I co-founded Enemies, a band with whom I have produced, engineered and released three albums on several international labels. We have toured Europe, Asia and The United States. I am heavily involved in the art direction of the band’s visual output, always ensuring that we have a vibrant, eye-catching and recognisable identity across all media and merchandise.
My self-produced, solo work as Royal Yellow has received radio play on leading UK and Irish stations. Breakout single ‘Hazeldene’ featured in the soundtrack for the BBC/Hulu series Normal People. My collection of recorded works (across Enemies and Royal Yellow) totals over 12 million streams on Spotify.
In 2012 I received a First Class Honours Degree in Visual Communication Design from IADT. I was awarded the Design History Society Essay Prize for my final year dissertation, entitled Rock, Paper, Scissors: The DIY punk zine and its influence in contemporary visual culture. My graduate project was awarded runner-up in the international Adobe Design Achievement Awards (2012).
In 2022 I received a First Class MA in Art & Technology from The University of Limerick. Projects undertaken were focused on expanding my knowledge of contemporary sound and programming technologies, including ProTools, Ableton Live and Max. Works developed on the course spanned across the fields of sonic art, visual art and multimedia installation design. My dissertation, entitled Cinememory, took influence from theories around nostalgia and hauntology within contemporary culture. Audio and video material was recorded within a derelict cinema in Limerick City, and was utilised in the creation of an immersive audiovisual installation.
I’m a natural team leader, an empathetic communicator and a motivator of people around me. I have a wealth of experience in executing pitches and working closely with clients and project stakeholders. I have art directed design projects for Smurfit Kappa, Abbey Theatre and Carmichael. I’m happiest when surrounded by talented people, working towards a common goal. I believe in trusting the people around me, and taking risks together.
I am currently working as a visiting Graphic Design lecturer at IADT, and a Music Production Educator with Music Generation Dublin City. I’m extremely passionate about art and music, and the positive impact that creativity can have on society, community and the wellbeing of young people.
Get in touch: hellomarkobrien@gmail.com