Clare student hits right note with music award design

A CLARE student and her Cavan team-mate struck the right note with their design for a new trophy that will be awarded to music artists with a number one single or album, on the IRMA Official Chart.
Ballyvaughan native Katie O’Brien and Kate McKenna, students at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) won the contest run in partnership between their college and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).
Katie, 21, hails from Ballyvaughan and previously attended Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna before taking up a place on the Bachelor of Science Product Design degree course in NCAD.
She said that the pair – who are classmates – had previously worked together on several other projects, and were delighted when they got the news.
“The trophy design was based on the ask from Universal (Music Ireland) that it would be simplistic as well as symbolising being the best in music.
“It does mean a lot to win this because it is the first of our designs to ever be produced, as well as being presented to major artists.” 
Katie is currently still studying while on an internship at Boston Scientific in Galway and her family all still live in Ballyvaughan.
The final designs were evaluated by competition judges including Bláthnaid Treacy, presenter of the weekly National Charts Show on RTÉ 2FM every Friday, and representatives of the Official Charts Company, who compile the Irish music charts.
Willie Kavanagh, chairman of IRMA commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the new trophy design and we were blown away with the quality of the designs that the NCAD students developed.
Aoife McInerney, National College of Art and Design said the college is proud of the quality designs NCAD students devised.
“The standard of design work and presentation was exceptional from all those involved in this competition. Initiatives like this are a great way to showcase the really strong design ability among NCAD students, as well as recognising exceptional flair, talent and execution,” she said.
Irish rock band Inhaler were the first recipient of the award when their new album “It Won’t Always Be Like This” went to number one in the Irish charts last week.