Who We Are (and Why We Bother)

nmcDesign is a small-but-mighty studio in Waterford that builds brands for sport, culture, and cause. Not just logos, not just colours, but full-blown identities that rally people together — the kind that fill the stands, fund the cause, or get kids signed up for school.

nmcDesign Manifesto

(Built from chaos. Run on caffeine. Held together by honesty.)

Design isn’t decoration.
It’s not just about making shit look nice — it’s about making it make sense.
Clarity, guts, truth — that’s the job.

nmcDesign came out of the messy bits — the chaos, the wrong turns, the lessons you don’t forget.
But that’s where the good stuff lives.
That’s where you learn to cut the crap and find the meaning.

This isn’t an agency with beanbags and buzzwords.
It’s me, a dog, and a drive to make good work.
No smoke, no mirrors — just proper design that stands up in daylight.

I give a fuck about design because it changes things.
It helps people make sense of what they’re looking at,
and what they’re part of.
The more people understand design,
the less shit we all have to go through.
That’s the truth.

I’m not here for shiny and safe.
I’m here to make brands that work in the real world —
brands that tell the truth,
connect people,
and last longer than the trend cycle.

If you’re into that, we’ll get on fine.
If you want a quick logo and a high five, probably not.

nmcDesign was built from lessons learned the hard way.

It’s about honesty, graft,

and design that actually gives a fuck.

No ego. No waffle.
Just design with backbone.
That’s the gig.

The Story So Far

I’m Neill MacCann, founder, designer, and the fella you’ll actually be working with. I started nmcDesign after years in the trenches of design and branding, frustrated with agencies that delivered shiny decks but no real impact.

I wanted to do things differently: fewer layers, more honesty, more results. So I built a studio that speaks plain English, designs with purpose, and always keeps one eye on what the work will actually do for you.

We’ve since teamed up with schools, sport bodies, festivals, non-profits and podcasts — anyone who cares about making a dent in their world.

How We Work

We keep it simple:

Listen first. Your challenges, your audience, your ambitions.
Design with brains. Strategy and words come before colours and shapes.
Build kits, not trophies. You leave with stuff you can actually use, not just admire.
Stay human. We’re not about jargon, we’re about results.

No smoke, no mirrors — just creative work that earns its keep.

The Studio Vibe

It’s not a skyscraper agency with ping-pong tables and beanbags. It’s a tight crew of collaborators who know their craft, led from a little base in Ballybricken, Waterford.

And then there’s the dog — the real boss.

Always under the desk, usually asleep, occasionally providing creative direction with a well-timed bark. Clients don’t get charged for dog consultancy, but it’s definitely part of the atmosphere.

Why People Stick Around

Clients don’t just get a new brand — they get clarity, confidence, and a partner they can actually trust. We’re straight-talking, deadline-hitting, and not afraid to tell you if something’s daft. The result? Long-term partnerships and brands that feel alive, not forgotten PDFs.

Our Ethos

Do it with heart. Sport, culture, and causes matter. We design like they do.
Keep it clear. If your brand needs three paragraphs to explain, it’s broken.
Be brave. Better to be memorable than blend in.
Enjoy it. Life’s too short for boring design and boring meetings.

Where We’re Headed

Our goal? Keep working with ambitious people who want their brand to mean something. More communities rallied, more audiences engaged, more impact made.

Because at the end of the day, branding isn’t about us — it’s about helping you get people on board, backing your vision, and showing up for the cause.

Let’s Have a Chat

If something you’ve read here feels like it clicks—get in touch.

No suits. No pressure.

Just a proper conversation.

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