Dublin during the winter months is a truly beautiful place. In my opinion, the cold and darkness bring out the best in the city. Cozy pubs with roaring fires, shoppers bundled in hats and scarves pausing to listen to street buskers, and reunions with emigrated friends home for the holidays—it's probably my favourite time of the year.
From November to January, the city hosts "Winter in Dublin," a festival featuring big gigs, stand-up comedy, family events, Christmas markets, sports, theatre, and literature. As the days shorten, it's a time to embrace the city's vibrant, extended evenings.
A few years ago, a local design agency approached me to redraw the Winter in Dublin logo in Irish. It was such a dream job that I couldn't wait for my quote's approval before starting. Living in the heart of the city at the time, I loved the idea of seeing my work all over Dublin during winter.
By the time I learned my quote was rejected—along with every other designer's—it was too late. I was already hooked on the project and had to finish it.
Sketch
I believe the 'Dublin' part comes from the original logo designed by Annie Atkins, a highly respected Welsh/Irish graphic designer for film. As a fan of her work, I wanted to do it justice. The 'winter in' part, I think, is a typeface probably added later, though I can't be sure. This made the logo look like a Frankenstein creation—combining parts that don't belong together.
I wanted these logos to look like siblings: from the same family but distinct. To achieve this, I redrew the letters based on the original style but smoothed out some kinks in the letterforms and spacing. I added flourishes and stars inspired by the original to fill awkward negative space and bring character to the logo.
When working on a project like this, I believe it's crucial to respect the original design while making creative and technical improvements.
It's a shame the official project never went ahead. I think an Irish version of the logo would have added great cultural value to the celebration. That said, I'm pleased and proud of the final design. Maybe one winter I'll see it in a cozy pub while enjoying a creamy Guinness.