Tutor Profiles

Brendan Dwyer

Brendan Dwyer graduated Architecture in 2007 from DIT Bolton St. He has an intensive interest in new technologies relating to design, architecture and the construction industry. Proficient in a wide variety of presentation and layout applications, Brendan appreciates strong presentations which reflect initial concepts and design development. With a focus on spatial awareness and ergonomics for interior architecture, Brendan likes to design using both natural materials used to create warm and comfortable interiors, as well as contemporary synthetic materials that create unique internal spaces.

Tracey Dalton

Tracey Dalton attended DIT Mountjoy Square from 1992 to 1996, studying Environmental/Spatial Design (4 yrs). She worked for a year in a graphic design company and then returned to DIT Bolton Street, completing a post graduate diploma in graphic reproduction technology from 1997 to 1998.

She worked for an interior design firm McNally Design Group for a period of 7 years (1998 to 2005) from junior to senior designer. This company is a leader of interior design in the leisure industry. She project managed many jobs from presentation to site.

Tracey took a year out in 2003 to 04 to travel to Australia and while there she worked for Peddle Thorp Architects.

She then joined an architectural firm, Oppermann Associates for almost 3 years as a senior designer - working on commercial projects such as pubs, restaurants, offices, pharmacies and has done some freelance domestic work as well.

Natalie Kaptukh

Natalie teaches a range of interior design courses, specialising in computer-aided design (CAD). She is an expert in AutoCAD 2D and 3D, Autodesk VIZ, as well as in a number of other graphic programmes. Her teaching philosophy is that we learn best by doing, and she makes sure that even the most difficult computer design problems are understood intuitively by every student. Natalie has also enjoyed numerous commissions from individual clients both in Dublin and country-wide. As a designer, her approach to interiors is that they should reflect the style and desires of her clients, not hers, and she considers herself as a guide in the sea of choices, helping the clients to achieve the look they want.

Kerry Meakin

Kerry Meakin has over 25 years Visual Merchandising and Design experience in the retail sector in Dublin and London. She has been teaching a part time Visual Merchandising Programme in Dublin Institute of Design for six years, she also taught this programme for Skillsnet in Carlow, FAS in Youghal and Dunmanway, Mayo County Enterprise Board in Ballina, Westport and Castlebar and various retailers. Since gaining her degree in Interior Design from DIT in 2008 Kerry also taught Interior Design up to Higher National Diploma. Kerry has recently embarked on the two year Masters of Arts in Third Level Learning and Teaching in the DIT Learning Centre and became a temporary, part time Lecturer in Visual Merchandising at Dublin Institute of Technology, Mountjoy Square, Dublin. (http://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrymeakin)

Fiona Owens

Fiona Owens is a freelance Interior Designer and founder of Dwelling Place Interior Design Consultancy, and website.  She is a highly creative designer with many years experience.  Her attention to detail, expertise and knowledge of the market, empowers her in offering a service which is both professional and personal.    In addition to her consultation work, Fiona continues to work as a Lecturer, since 2005, with the Dublin Institute of Design.  Fiona’s teaching style encourages students to discover their own creativity, and sees successful design as a collaboration of this creativity, knowledge and expertise.  Fiona is a graduate of the Institute and qualified with distinctions in both Diploma and Associate Diplomas in Interior Design.

Dr. Brian Vaughan

Dr. Brian Vaughan is an experienced web programmer, having built numerous sites and web based research tools over the year. Brian has taught web programming at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Griffith College Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Design. A post-doctoral researcher in Trinity College by day, Brian has extensive lecturing experience in a wide variety of areas. Brian’s lecturing style enables students to reach a level of proficiency in their subject that endows them with the ability to build upon what they have learnt in order to further their knowledge and education.

David Randell

David is originally from Toronto, Canada and after settling full time in Ireland he spent 4 years as the Web Designer/Front End Developer at Radical Media, part of the Publicis Group. From there he moved on to his current position as Creative Director at WorthPoint Ireland. David feels one of the most important parts of web design is creating a rich user experience, the best way to achieve this is through excellent creative elements powered by solid, valid code.  David’s portfolio of work includes several major brand corporate websites.

Niall Flaherty

Niall Flaherty is a Galway-born artist, designer and teacher, now living in Dublin, Ireland. He has taught art at 2nd and 3rd level, having lectured for Dublin Institute of Design, NCAD and DIT in drawing, photography, video, new-media and sculpture. Niall had the first solo show of his work in 2009 at Monstertruck Gallery, Francis Street, Dublin. Niall is a founder member of the Blackletter Artists Group and recently started Artist-makers Online to enable artists, designers and creative groups to develop their web-presence. Niall is developing a digital-media module for The School of Information and Library Studies, UCD.

Inez Nordell

Inez Nordell ANCAD BA Hons, MA  has designed costume for over seventy productions for theatre, film and TV including contemporary and period drama and light entertainment in Ireland and the UK. She has styled numerous TV presenters, personalities and  celebrities for TV, promotional and personal appearances and has devised DID's course, Image Consultancy and Fashion Styling based on her extensive media experience.

Martin Fitzgerald

Martin has been instructing City & Guilds Computer Aided Design programmes since 2007, including 2D, 3D, Parametric Modelling and Solid Works.  He has experience delivering both classroom and blended learning modes. He believes in making students ready for today’s CAD market by bringing real world scenarios into the classroom & using the most up to date software available.

Barry Whelan

Barry Whelan is the Managing Director of Excel Recruitment, Ireland’s largest specialist retail recruitment company. Barry is an honours graduate of the University of Glamorgan with a Bachelor of Arts in Business studies. He is also a certified Behavioural Analyst. He started his career in retail with Associated British Foods, the parent company of Penneys Primark before working as a store manager with Dunnes Stores and with Brown Thomas Group in a variety of roles culminating in the role of General Manager for their BT2 brand. Excel recruitment specialises in the placement of candidates from trainee Buyer to Buying Director throughout the Retail industry in Ireland and Abroad. Excel pride themselves on their Client list, it is a veritable who’s who of the Irish retail industry.