Story Time

Hey! Shona here..coming from my desk.

Although I've been hanging around for almost 10 years now I think it's never a harm to do a little re-introduction! I've had some inquiries over the last few weeks so I think it's a good opportunity to talk about what I'm all about!

An Overview:

• Owner at The Rainbow Vault Design Agency since 2015! 🌈

• Studied Computer Science, Maths, Animation & Graphic Design 📖

• Branding, Web Design, UI, and UX? That's my jam 🎨

• Designing solutions to problems is my kind of fun puzzle. 🧩

• Can't resist a good chuckle - hugely fond of a laugh 😂

• A sugar-free Red Bull is my creative juice! 🥤

• Adore clients who understand the magic of design work. 🙌

• Love to see a project through from the scribbles to the final "ta-da!" moment with the client. 🏁

Now for some more deep dive if you’re still reading….

Passion for Art & Technology 🎨 🖥

From an early age I was addicted to the computer - my Dad always let me drool over the computer, taught me to write commands in DOS mode (before Windows was the default!) make music videos with his Hi8 camcorder, use some finicky editing software (hooking the VCR up to the computer to make copies!) and I loved it all. Art in school was always such a passion, I loved creating anything I could. I remember taking hundreds of pictures of my house when I was about ten and putting them in a powerpoint presentation and using the button feature to navigate through the house, turning on lights, taps etc. so I basically invented google street view.... 😂

What I studied 📓

Since I was 15 I knew I wanted to study computer science. It was a no brainer to me at the time - so off I went to UCD after the leaving cert. After a couple of years I realised I was only really enjoying the maths side of things and coding just wasn't juicy enough or creative enough for me. We only did one module on Web Design and I was just in awe of it! I changed path and applied to a degree in Animation in IADT - only to be devastated of the high points that year. So to please my Mum at the time I enrolled quickly in a Mathematical Science Degree in DIT promising I’d try again for animation the following year. I decided to stick out the Maths degree as I had started it - I was going to finish it and I’m so glad I did because I really enjoyed it. I graduated with a 2.1 in 2014 and headed off to Edinburgh to study Animation & Graphic Design in Edinburgh College - finally my dream course!

The Rainbow Vault Design Agency 🦄

Upon returning home from Edinburgh I got a job working with a fabulous Entrepreneur in 2015, I was just looking after invoicing but it got me thinking about working for myself - my dad had made the leap when I was about 12 years old and I really started to think I could do it too. I remember getting my first cheque for creating a website (€600 to be exact! I had no idea what to charge! So this was insane money to me) and I skipped to the bank with it. This meant everything to me and I quit the job a month later to begin The Rainbow Vault

What I love about what I do 🎆

I love solving problems. I love to hear all about what my clients do and then solve their problems with design. The freedom of being self employed is unparalleled. And seeing your clients adore their branding, website etc. means the world to me. Working with my team is also such a joy. I’m getting better at delegating!

As I write, I am filled with such gratitude for the experiences, the learning, the challenges, and the people who have shaped me into the designer I am today. I am excited for what the future holds, and I am committed to continue creating, innovating, and solving problems with design.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I hope it inspires you in some way.

Remember, the magic of design work lies in its power to solve problems and create joy. Here's to more designing, more problem-solving, and more magic!