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Ireland’s campus for the Creative Industries
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Ciara McGowan 

BA [Hons] Visual Communication Design

Hello, I'm Ciara! I am a passionate, multidisciplinary, graphic designer from a little village called Dunmore East, Waterford. I enjoy creative problem-solving that results in bold, considered, design solutions that aim to drive change and make a difference. I particularly enjoy working with others and love collaborating as part of a team. My main areas of interest lie in visual identity design, art direction and user experience but I always love exploring new fields of design and am constantly looking to expand my skillset.

Fido is a mutually beneficial, community service, that connects retired/elderly members of the community to local dog owners, bringing them together for activities like dog minding and walking.
Hero poster
The core aim of Fido is to reduce the effects of isolation and loneliness that increased during Covid-19 among, not only the retired and elderly members of our community, but also our pets, particularly dogs.
Through the Fido service, retired/elderly dog lovers who may not want the full-time responsibility of owning a dog of their own, can foster a neighbours dog for a day or more, giving both them, and the dog, the joy of company and companionship. Connecting good dogs with good people.
Application walkthrough
On the Fido app, users can learn about the service and become a part of the Fido community in their area by connecting with other dog owners and carers. Retired/elderly users can search for local dog owners in their area and can filter their search to cater for their precise ability and availability.
User accessibility and safety was of the utmost importance for both the younger and older demographics. With this in mind, users may customise their app interface in a number of different ways to suit their needs.
A desktop webpage providing addition background information regarding the service is also available.
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Project Description

Particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic an increased number of the retired and elderly members of our community experience chronic isolation and loneliness, with nearly one fourth of adults aged 65 and older considered to be socially isolated. It not only affected humans but also our pets, particularly dogs, giving rise to what are now being termed 'pandemic puppies'. These pets are suffering from extreme separation anxiety and loneliness now that life has returned to normal and many of them have to be left alone for large amounts of the day.
Fido is a new mutually beneficial, community service that aims to combat these ever increasing issues. Fido connects retired/elderly members of the community to local dog owners bringing them together for activities like dog minding and walking. It aims to combat isolation and loneliness by increasing community connection, while also creating a renewed sense of purpose and value among the retired/elderly population.



Thesis Title: Affect theory and attributing value to material culture: Trench Art 1914–1939

My thesis explores the theory that, through the consideration of trench art as material culture, the ‘everyday’ objects ingrained in our lives can offer deeply significant insights into how we, as humans, attribute and quantify value and the affective influence objects possess.


Visual Communication Design
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