Offset Dublin 2018 reveals first round of speakers

Dublin’s annual design conference Offset has revealed a selection of its line-up for 2018, which includes New York Times magazine design director Gail Bichler.

The festival takes place for the 12th time this year, and will see three days-worth of talks, panel discussions, creative networking events and demonstrations.

The first round of speakers to be announced include Bichler, graphic novelist and illustrator Chris Ware, who is behind many covers for The New Yorker, physical game design studio The Creativity Hub and Richard Brim, executive creative director at Adam&EveDDB London.

The line-up also includes film and advertising agency D.A.D.D.Y.; Italian children’s book illustrator Beatrice Alemagna; New York-based design studio Doyle Partners’ creative director Stephen Doyle; film director Ivan Cash; Irish writer, director and photographer Aoife Mcardle; French illustrator Blexbolex; and Russian graphic designer Sonya Dyakova.

Offset launched in 2007 with 450 attendees, and has grown in size to now receive 2,500 attendees each year. Since 2016, the festival organisers have also run a week-long fringe festival called Offsite, which takes place across Dublin and features creative workshops, masterclasses, exhibitions, installations and guided tours, and showcases emerging designers’ work.

The last Offsite took place in February this year, and saw talks from the likes of IBM Design and Annie Atkins, the designer behind the in-film graphics for The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Offset directors Lisa Haran and Bren Byrne say of the festival: “We provide a platform to celebrate the best of creativity, share our passion for the impact it can have on cultural, social and economic enterprise, and create a space where talented people from different disciplines can come together and realise they are part of a large community.”

Offset Dublin takes place 23-25 March at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Three-day tickets cost €115 (£105) for students, €145 (£133) for recent graduates and €150 (£137) for early bird professionals. Full-price professional tickets are €295 (£270).

For more info, head to the Offset site and for tickets, head to Ticketmaster.

Offset also holds annual conferences in London and Sheffield.