Just days after his firm was crowned AdAge’s 2025 Design and Branding Agency of the Year at a prestigious gala in New York, world-renowned creative director Brian Collins is heading to Belfast to inspire the next generation of designers at Rapid Sessions 006, supported by Ulster University and the Belfast School of Art.
Taking place on Friday 2 May at ICC Belfast, the event offers a rare opportunity for students, creatives and design professionals to hear directly from one of the world’s most influential branding figures. To help make the event as accessible as possible to the wider creative community, a 30% discount is now available with the code SESSIONS30
This informal talk promises a rare opportunity to hear directly from Collins, the visionary behind branding projects for Spotify, Nike, Twitch, ESPN, and more. He’ll be joined by Mary Doherty, founder of Dublin-based agency Red Dog, in what’s set to be Rapid Sessions’ biggest event yet.
Brian Collins is Co-Founder of COLLINS, the New York-based transformation agency that blends creativity and strategy to help global brands thrive.
The partnership with Ulster University marks a highlight in the 175th anniversary year of the Belfast School of Art, the oldest provider of design education on the island of Ireland.
Dr. Brian Dixon, Head of the Belfast School of Art at Ulster University, said:
“As we celebrate our 175th anniversary, we are thrilled to partner with Rapid Agency to welcome Brian Collins to Belfast. This exceptional opportunity allows our students to engage with one of the world’s foremost branding experts, reinforcing our commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations with our vibrant local creative industries.”
Rapid Sessions, founded by Belfast’s Rapid Agency, is a celebrated series of creative talks that has already brought names like Simon Dixon (DixonBaxi), Nils Leonard (Uncommon Creative Studio), and Max Ottignon (Ragged Edge) to local audiences.
James Scullion, Founder of Rapid Agency, said:
“Rapid Sessions 006 promises to be our largest event to date as we attract creatives from across the UK and Ireland. By collaborating with our key partner — the Belfast School of Art — we’re ensuring students, lecturers, and creatives of all levels can connect and be inspired by leaders like Brian Collins and Mary Doherty.”
Mary Doherty, Managing Director of Red Dog, is a prominent voice in Irish design, with a portfolio including the Irish Cancer Society, Merrion Fertility Clinic, and campaigns like #KidsVsDomesticViolence. She also sits on the board of the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI).
To continue the creative conversations, Rapid Sessions Unplugged will follow at Harp Bar on the evening of 2 May, featuring networking and an exclusive Q&A with Brian Collins.
Rapid Sessions 006 with Brian Collins (COLLINS), Mary Doherty (Red Dog) & more
- Friday 2 May 2025 – 10.30am
- ICC Belfast
Rapid Sessions Unplugged with Brian Collins
- Friday 2 May 2025 – 6.30pm
- Harp Bar Belfast
Tickets are available with 30% now using the code SESSSIONS30 at checkout.