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Who is “Graphic Designer Eamonn O’Day”
I want to be authentic, direct, and create designs that are tangible.
Authenticity is a big part of my design philosophy. While I am conceptualizing a project, trying to decide what I want to create or focus on for a project I am always thinking about what it is people connect with and what I think makes my subject unique. I strive to find what makes the subject itself and what is special about that and make it the focus of the design. So that the design I create is authentic to the thing that makes my subject itself.

Being direct is also something I strive to do, even in projects that demand flair. I believe design is a language, and just like spoken language, if you can’t communicate clearly, concisely, and appropriately - you won’t be understood. I seek to be as direct in my designs as I am in my conversations - which is to say - direct, but dramatically so.

Finally, I have really come to appreciate tangible designs as I’ve grown as a designer. Looking at a web ad or png of a finished work is satisfying, don’t get me wrong, but it’s so much better to hold something in your hands. A physical poster, a printed zine, a shoddily made printer paper book duster. I want to have designs, not just admire them.
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Who is Not Just “Graphic Designer Eamonn O’Day”
I grew up outdoors and with videogames. Opposites I know, but I think these two things really formed what I love in design. I want things to feel like they fit, and like they were made. I often prefer my work once it’s printed and scanned a little askew or with imperfections. I seek to create texture as often as I can because I want the things I make to feel like more than an illustrator file or png.

Games come into my design passions with the introduction of genres. I feel like I learned how to feel art from games more than any other place. All visually impressive games to me really nail one thing, and that is the theme. It is so important for a game to draw you all the way into their world, and that means that all the art has to fit. Not only has this exposed me to so truly stunning thematic worlds and art, it also has helped me hone my ability to create a cohesive identity.
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Why Graphic Design?
I’ve always loved art, making things, and learning how things work, and helping others. For a while, I thought that might be machines - engineering. Then I thought it would be healthcare and people. Then machines again. But I’ve settled on design because it’s like engineering art. It lets me have fun lining up numbers and working with dimensions and spatial awareness, without calculus or blood.

I’ve found in design I really enjoy branding, layout and type.
Getting to explore and connect with a brand and then create something that brings forth what I think is the most compelling and crucial parts of the brand through art is such a blast.

I had the opportunity to make my own typeface during my time at school and golly was it a good time. Ever since I have really enjoyed small scale lettering to add a personal touch to designs, and has made me think about fonts and letters in a whole new shapey way.

Layout has been a new passion, especially in game design. Being able to tie the vibe of a document to its contents and highlight the most crucial bits through the layout has been extremely rewarding.
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