World-class branding expert, creative director and educator Brian Collins is set to share ideas and inspire action among Belfast’s creative community when he takes to the stage for the next Rapid Sessions event supported by Ulster University and the Belfast School of Art.
Taking place at ICC Belfast on Friday 2nd May, the informal talk will provide a unique opportunity for students, lecturers, and the wider creative schools at Ulster University to connect directly with the world-renowned designer and get involved with Belfast’s creative community.
Brian Collins is the Co-Founder of COLLINS, a transformation agency based in New York that combines creativity with commercial logic to help clients such as Spotify, Nike, Twitch, ESPN and Bose. The innovative work of COLLINS has led them to be recognised as Ad Age’s 2025 Design and Branding Agency of the Year and 2024 Design Firm of the Year.
The partnership comes in the 175th anniversary year of the Belfast School of Art at Ulster University, the oldest provider of design education on the island of Ireland and largest research active art and design faculty in 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. This event follows a year-long celebration of the Belfast School of Art, during which we have gathered some of the UK and Ireland’s brightest artistic talent – many of whom graduated from the School, who have inspired our students, alumni and the wider community."
Rapid Sessions, founded and produced by the team at Rapid Agency, is a series of informal talk events designed to inspire and share ideas across Belfast’s creative community. Past Rapid Sessions events have featured industry leaders such as Simon Dixon of DixonBaxi, Nils Leonard of Uncommon Creative Studio, and Max Ottignon of Ragged Edge.
James Scullion, Founder of Rapid Agency said:
“Over the past two years we have been blown away by the support for Rapid Sessions from the creative community. Rapid Sessions 006 promises to be our largest event to date as we attract creatives all across the UK and Ireland to join us in the ICC in May. We are in for a real treat as globally renowned COLLINS take to the stage alongside Dublin based Red Dog.
"The inspiration behind Rapid Sessions was always to get creative minds together, share ideas and be inspired by the best in the business - Rapid Sessions 006 certainly lives up to that mantra. By collaboration with our key partner - Belfast School of Art (who celebrate their 175th anniversary this year) we hope that students, lecturers and the wider creative schools within Ulster will also be inspired by leading creative voices such as Brian Collins and Mary Doherty.”
Along with Brian Collins, the next Rapid Sessions event will feature Mary Doherty, Managing Director of Red Dog, a creative agency based in Dublin. Beyond Red Dog, Mary is a key figure in the Irish design industry, serving on the board of The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and the Merrion Fertility Clinic. On the day, Mary will share her journey and the work of Red Dog, whose client portfolio includes Merrion Fertility Clinic, Irish Cancer Society, and #KidsVsDomesticViolence.
With such raw talent here in Belfast, Rapid Agency have taken the opportunity to extend the event and include a Rapid Sessions Unplugged event in the Harp Bar on the evening of Friday 2nd May. This event will allow for networking, and an exclusive Q&A and unheard talk from 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, including a discounted student rate, are available for purchase here.