Hollywood art director Táine King, centre, a Graphic and Digital Design graduate from TUS Athlone, with Tara Cullen, programme co-ordinator, and students at the 50th graduate showcase exhibition on the local campus.

Hollywood art director returns to TUS Athlone for exhibition opening

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Táine King, a Hollywood art director and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) graduate, recently returned to the Athlone campus to launch its 50th graduate showcase exhibition.

A graphic and digital design graduate in Athlone, Táine has worked alongside director Ridley Scott on films such as The House of Gucci and Napoleon.

She has also directed the short films The Wilde Sisters and Molly and the Robot.

Táine was back in Athlone to open the graduate showcase which celebrates the work of final-year students from the BA in Graphic Design and BA (Hons) in Graphic and Digital Design, and also officially launched a year of events to mark 50 years of design education at the Athlone campus.

Carmel Joyce, Hollywood art director Táine King, Sheila Hough, Carmel Smith and Nicole McKenna at the 50th graduate showcase exhibition in TUS Athlone.

TUS said this year's showcase was a milestone exhibition which featured "a diverse and innovative body of work" and "reflected the evolving landscape of contemporary design, where creativity meets emerging technologies, and where students respond to real-world challenges with fresh, forward-thinking ideas".

Reflecting on her time at TUS, Táine said: "My time studying at TUS Athlone is the foundation to everything I am now within the creative industry.

"Athlone taught me that creativity is not just about great ideas and beautiful design - it taught me that what you learn about communication, teamwork, self-discipline and critical thinking becomes an essential part of who you are as a creative.

"I will always be so grateful to the lecturers and staff who helped me pave my way into the creative world."

Former staff members from the department were among those who attended the opening night celebrations, joining students, graduates, staff and invited guests in marking 50 years of design education in Athlone and reflecting on the programme's creative legacy and continued evolution

"Marking 50 years of design education in Athlone makes this year’s showcase especially meaningful," said programme co-ordinator Tara Cullen.

"The standard of work is exceptional, and it's clear our graduates are ready to shape the future of the creative industries - in the Midlands and far beyond."

The showcase celebrated both the achievements of this year's graduating class and five decades of design education in Athlone.

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