Nicola Byrne

DeBrief

The “mental load” refers to the often invisible cognitive and emotional work involved in managing a household. Unlike visible domestic tasks, it involves behind-the-scenes planning, organising, and remembering, which help to keep daily life running. Its unseen nature means it often goes unrecognised. Studies show that this burden usually falls on one partner, which can lead to stress, burnout, and resentment in relationships.

DeBrief is an app that facilitates tough conversations, educates, and helps couples share the mental load. Inspired by Dr. Morgan Cutlip’s research, it focuses on creating awareness, agreement, and accountability to address this common, complex issue.

Phone displaying the DeBrief app landing screen

The DeBrief app is designed to support meaningful conversations around the mental load and foster long-term understanding and change.

DART stop with poster with 2 posters. The first shows a woman covered in sticky notes and the text "Manager of Foresight & Prevention." The second poster features and a brain on fire with the text "Have you been promoted without your knowledge or consent?"

Relatable campaign posters illustrate how carrying the mental load can feel like an unwanted promotion, prompting those feeling overwhelmed to turn to the DeBrief app for support.

Billboard listing jobs that someone carrying the mental load might have like Clean-Up Consultant

The campaign highlights just how many roles someone managing the mental load can be expected to take on.

First, the app bridges the gap between partners by making them aware of each other's mental load. It guides them through a self-assessment quiz, then invites them to compare their responses, encouraging open conversations and shared understanding.

Couples can create an agreement outlining who takes the lead on different household tasks for a set period of time. This isn't about creating a chore chart, it’s about establishing ownership and accountability between partners.

Reminder notifications from the DeBrief app

The app promotes accountability by prompting users to complete follow-up self-assessments and check-ins, encouraging continuous communication and relieving partners from having to remind each other, reducing feelings of “nagging.”

DeBrief Onboarding Walkthrough

Mental Load Self-Assessment Quiz Walkthrough

Performance Review & Co-Working Contract Walkthrough

The DeBrief app evaluates users to identify the role they’re currently undertaking. Through regular self-assessments and check-ins, the app assigns new roles as they progress in their co-working contract, helping to balance the mental load in their relationship.

The DeBrief app assesses users to determine their current role and, through regular self-assessments and check-ins, “promotes” or “demotes” them as they work toward balancing the mental load in their relationship.

Fake job ads are posted on LinkedIn to promote the DeBrief app, highlighting the invisible nature of this unpaid labour while using corporate jargon consistent with the campaign’s tone.

Thesis: Courageous Boys, Complaisant Girls: Gender Conditioning in Children’s Clothing Sold by Irish Retailers

This dissertation examines the gendered nature of children’s clothing sold by Irish retailers, with a specific focus on how their messaging conditions children to adopt conservative ideas about gender roles and the gender binary from a young age. Despite a growing acceptance of non-conformity to binary gender identities in modern Ireland, children’s fashion remains heavily segregated by gender. Beyond the traditional pink and blue colour divide, children’s clothing defines gender through distinct themes, messaging and imagery for boys and girls. By investigating gender identity formation and deconstructing the messaging communicated by childrenswear—through field research, theoretical concepts and a comparative analysis of the retailers Penneys, Zara, and Jacadi—this dissertation hopes to explore how gender-differentiated clothing shapes children’s formation and performance of gender. Additionally, this dissertation examines the rising popularity of gender-neutral childrenswear, reflecting Ireland’s shifting cultural landscape.

Nicola Byrne

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Hi, I’m Nicola! I’m a Wexford-reared, Dublin-based designer passionate about using design as a tool for positive social change. Creative problem-solving is at the heart of my practice as I love diving into complex topics through in-depth research and crafting well-considered, impactful designs. I’m particularly interested in research, strategy, branding, motion, and experiential design. However, I am always eager to expand my creative skillset. During my time at IADT, I participated in workshops at George Brown College in Toronto and the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Lithuania, spent 6 months working at Aad, and exhibited my project 66 Voices at multiple venues across Dublin. I’m excited to showcase my work alongside my wonderful classmates!