Our training programmes and events are informed by industry engagement to meet current and future skills needs. Our goal is to deliver impactful learning experiences to design leaders and practitioners so that they can better understand, manage and shape their careers and business performance.
Design Skillnet is funded by Skillnet Ireland – a business support agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of businesses operating in Ireland through enterprise-led workforce development.
We are proud to be part of the network across Ireland and to offer co-funded government training support at an incredible value to designers and design agencies across Ireland.
Eligible* Design Skillnet trainees benefits
- Breakfast briefings, Workshops, and many complementary Seminars and Events
- Post Graduate Professional Education and training programmes
- Design Leaders Conference preferential rates
- Bespoke and in-house tailored solutions- substantially subsidised
*Who can and cannot benefit from the Design Skillnet?
- Private sector and commercial semi-state design & creative organisations in the Republic of Ireland e.g.
- Design and Creative Professionals working in the private sector and commercial public service organisations in the Republic of Ireland (including Marketing and Advertising professionals and account management teams and client services teams in Creative businesses)
- Design and Creative agencies
- Businesses with in-house design teams
Co-funding is not available to:
- Public sector organisations, charities or not-for-profit organisations*
*Can I still avail of Design Skillnet’s training if I am not eligible for the government-funded rate?
Yes, Design Skillnet can offer a limited number of places at full price (non-subsidised rate) on some of its training courses for public sector, charities or non-for-profit organisations, subject to availability.
Subsidised member rates
Design Skillnet is affiliated with the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and offers additional preferential rates to all its members on a number of our training as part of our commitment to give the design community in Ireland access to our subsidised training initiatives, in-house bespoke solutions and leadership events such as Design Leaders Conference.
We also offer various member rates to eligible private sector members of the ICAD, IAPI and 100 Archive whose businesses are based in the Republic of Ireland*
*subject to eligibility.
Complete the form below or contact us directly at info@designskillnet.ie for business membership or individual options.
Current IDI, 100 Archive, IAPI and ICAD members are automatically members of Design Skillnet.
If you would like your representative body to benefit from the members’ preferential rates please contact info@designskillnet.ie
Who is IDI?
The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the professional body of designers working across disciplines and across Ireland. The EU, the Government, national and international clients and professional bodies recognise IDI as the only professional representative body that represents the Irish design profession and supports the needs of qualified designers in Ireland.
Become an IDI memberIDI graduate members
Recent graduates in employment are very welcome to join The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and benefit from IDI members’ preferential rates as Graduate Members. You are the future of Irish design and IDI and Design Skillnet are committed to supporting the early stage of your career through The New Now and additional exclusive IDI Graduate benefits.
IDI Graduate membershipAny questions?
If you’re not sure if you meet these criteria or have any queries, please get in touch via the form below.
Upcoming Training Events
Designers FORUMS
IDI’s Monthly Forums are all about giving you the opportunity to set your agenda to discuss the topics of most relevance to you with the people who understand most. The IDI’s Forums series give you a safe space to discuss the topics that are most pressing in your field of work, with others in the same position.
Design Management Professional Diploma - Taster Sessions
Join our Design Management Professional Diploma light bite taster events that will give you taster sessions that will give you a chance to experience the programme from a practical viewpoint.
Gail Anderson in conversation with Grace Enemaku
Join us for an intimate discussion between New York-based designer and illustrator Gail Anderson and award-winning Irish designer and illustrator, Grace Enemaku. Together they will discuss career journeys, what it is to be a woman of colour working in design, and how to influence change for good.
Increase Your Profitability - 3 workshops with Chris Merrington
A Chris Merrington’s series of three workshops to ‘Increase Your Profitability. Maximise your profitability and pricing. Get Better Briefs and Budgets. Retain and Grow your Clients. All in 3 x 90-minute workshops.
Better UX Design with AI
An AI + UX Expert hands-on, practical Workshop with Nick Babich showing you how to use AI to become a better designer. Covering the full design lifecycle, from product research to prototype design to usability testing.
Colour Futures: Colour Now, Global & Local Trends
Discover how you can predict the hottest colours in design in 2023 with Dulux Academy Lead, Creative Consultant and interior designer Cora Collins. Gain insights into the process of colour trends and forecasting to market to new and your existing clients and identify the colour trends of 2023.
Professional Diploma in UX Design
A unique 6-month university-accredited programme in UX for Designers and Creatives, combining online learning and live webinars to further develop business skills and build successful careers.
Designs on Growth
An innovative learning and development response providing owner/managers with best practice business management skills to support sustainability and increase revenue in their business.
Design Management Professional Diploma
Developed for busy working professional designers and design function managers (not all design managers are designers) to empower them to take their business and careers to the next level.