CREATE! Festival

The inaugural CREATE! Festival of Creativity was organised by Creative Monaghan, funded by the Creative Ireland Creative Health and Wellbeing Shared Island Initiative and coordinated by Monaghan County Council. The one-day event included creative workshops, an exhibition, live performance, house tours, storytelling, a green artisan market and local food in the beautiful and sprawling setting of Hilton Park in Clones, Co. Monaghan. 

The primary objective was to create a festival identity that is playful, joyful, engaging and accessible for all in the region; not serious or pretentious. This is conveyed through the vibrant colours and cut-out style letters in the logotype, of which there are four variations, alluding to the individualistic nature of creative expression. An organic C-shaped device with a handmade feel forms the basis of the system; it can flex to accommodate different content and formats, keeping things fresh and varied.

Local artist Lynsey McKernan was commissioned to create a bespoke artwork as an integral component of all branded communications. The Ripple Effect was inspired by a sensory walk through the grounds of Hilton Park. The piece captures the ripple-like motifs that emerged throughout the landscape — from the gentle waves on the lake and rustling reeds, to tree roots twisting at the water’s edge and the flowing curves of manicured hedges. Captured in her signature pastel palette, the work evokes a dreamlike sense of place — where colour drifts like memory, and brushstrokes mimic the movement of air and water. Infused with fiery accents, the piece also symbolises the deeper ripple effect of creativity itself: the shared spark that festivals like CREATE! ignite. 

The project involved naming, brand identity design, art direction, design for print (outdoor posters, promotional brochures and fold out map for the event) design for social and environmental graphics (including wayfinding, flags, sustainable cubes and a custom stage).

As a brand-new festival, the client was keen to explore how creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand. In 2025 the organisers took their first steps toward building an environmentally conscious event and are committed to learning and improving each year.