About me
Therese McKenna is an information designer and digital content creator, with a background in journalism. She worked for more than a decade as a features writer and sub editor with newspapers including The Irish News, Metro, the Irish Sun and the Irish Daily Mail, before returning to college to complete an MA in Motion Design (LYIT). After qualification, Therese worked for WHPR (the PR branch of Ogilvy in Ireland) as a designer, creating images, infographics and animations for brands such as Pfizer, McCann Fitzgerald, Done Deal, Siúcra, Carbery and Dublin Marathon. She then left to set up her own business, Storyburst, with current clients including WHPR/Ogilvy, The Economist, PR360 and Bespoke Communications. Therese is currently collaborating on a live information design project, @visualnewsdesk, with illustrator, Ruth Graham.
Projects
- End Institutional LivingThis illustration-based motion graphic (completed as part of my MA in Motion Graphics at LYIT in 2014) aimed to raise awareness of the situation facing asylum seekers in Ireland's system of Direct Provision. Asylum seekers in Ireland's system of direct provision are stuck in shared accommodation for an average of 45 months. They are barred from working. They get €19.10 a week, €9.60 for a child. Children have no entitlement to education past secondary level. Facilities are basic and often found wanting. People live in small rooms shared with strangers. Meals are at set times and may not be culturally appropriate. Residents aren't allowed to cook for themselves. More and more are presenting with mental health issues due to stress. Isolated. Excluded. No privacy. It's no way to live. Find out how you can help at irishrefugeecouncil.ie FOR SUBTITLES, CLICK 'CC' button and select 'English' The main voice is by Joanna Siewerska. The male voice is Niall Crampton. Music traditional, played by Therese McKenna.
- Companies Act Infographic (WHPR Content Hub project)A project of the WHPR Content Hub. I was given text information that McCann Fitzgerald and the Institute of Directors of Ireland wanted to convey to IDI members, regarding changes to the Companies Act that would have an impact on business protocols. They wanted something that would clarify the rules, segment the information and make it more digestible and engaging. The finished piece was to work as a print-out for takeaway at a conference/event - something that directors could hang at their desks and refer to easily; as well as being an online resource within an extended library of information on the topic.
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Work history
Motion Designer & Multimedia Journalist
Therese McKenna is an information designer and digital content creator, with a background in journalism. She worked for more than a decade as a features writer and sub editor with newspapers including The Irish News, Metro, the Irish Sun and the Irish Daily Mail, before returning to college to complete an MA in Motion Design (LYIT). After qualification, Therese worked for WHPR (the PR branch of Ogilvy in Ireland) as a designer, creating images, infographics and animations for brands such as Pfizer, McCann Fitzgerald, Done Deal, Siúcra, Carbery and Dublin Marathon. She then left to set up her own business, Storyburst, with current clients including WHPR/Ogilvy, The Economist, PR360 and Bespoke Communications. Therese is currently collaborating on a live information design project, @visualnewsdesk, with illustrator, Ruth Graham.
Social DesignerOgilvy
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Concept generation and design of materials for digital visual communication, including video editing; motion graphic design; photographic image editing; digital illustration; layout and typography.
• Creating images, infographics and other content for brands such as Pfizer, McCann Fitzgerald, Done Deal, Siúcra, Carbery and Budweiser to release via their social media channels
• Design for print; design of presentation materials
• Developing PR content for a wide variety of client brands
• Branding and promotion of the WHPR Content Hub within the organisation and to clients
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Skills
- Digital Content
- Copywriting
- Editing
- Online
- Creative
- Illustration
- News
- Motion Design
- After Effects
- Illustrator
- Photoshop
- Content and Media Writing
- Copywriting
- Premiere and Final Cut
Education
Motion Graphics
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Motion Design: After Effects, Cinema 4D, Graphic Design, Premiere Pro, Photography, Sound, Design Thinking...
Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism
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Practical skills in journalism with modules in Law, Sociology and Politics. Also included professional certification from the National Council for the Training of Journalists
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Awards
Conference Speaker, MODE Summit
My full-length paper was selected for presentation at international motion design education conference, MODE Summit. I presented research on how journalists might use motion design as a tool, based on my MA thesis (linked below).
http://bit.ly/Journalism_And_Motion_GraphicsHarnessing Creativity Grantee
I received funding and practical assistance with my work exploring the role of motion graphics in news. The work was then showcased in exhibitions at Leitrim Sculpture Centre and Catalyst Arts, Belfast.
www.harnessingcreativity.eu