'The Cult of the Imperfect' - Alumni Connectivity Event with Conor Foran

In Conversation with Conor Foran, Irish artist, designer and educator, followed by Q&A

How can students create work that is meaningful and lasting? We may think that student projects only exist to serve a grade. But the academic environment is an ideal space to imagine compelling and challenging work with ‘real-world’ implications. What the ‘cult of the imperfect’ teaches us is that aspiring for the perfect version is futile. Through his lived experience as a person who stammers, Conor Foran relates this idea of the imperfection of creative work to his speech disability. In a society that values efficiency and excellence, we are often presented with unrealistic expectations of ourselves and of others. Referring to his own undergraduate project that has grown into a cross-cultural movement about stammering pride, Conor asks: How can student projects benefit from the understanding that good is better than perfect?

This event will take place in the Graphic Design Studios, First Floor, Design Building at the National College of Art and Design.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow creatives and learn from one of our own! NCAD Alumni Connectivity – Industry Talks Series offers students the opportunity to connect with recent alumni and hear about diverse career pathways post-graduation.

This event in open to all NCAD Alumni and their friends so please feel free to spread the word! Seperately, Please sign up to our alumni mailing list here: https://staff41650.activehosted.com/f/19

Conor Foran (Class of 2017, BA Visual Communication & Visual Culture) was awarded The National College of Art and Design Alumni Impact Award in 2025 - recognising and celebrating the impact of our recent graduates, within and beyond, their creative fields.

Conor Foran (@conor_foran) is an Irish artist, designer and educator based in London. He runs a socially engaged design practice called Take Courage (@takecourage.co) with his partner Bart Rzeznik. Collaborating on projects funded by Wellcome Trust, University of Alberta and EVA International, Take Courage designs printed matter, develops websites and manages projects for education, care and culture. Conor is a proud person who stammers. Through his collaborative, creative practice Dysfluent (@dysfluent) he explores how disability intersects with creativity and how art and design can instigate social change. His work has been exhibited at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Whitney Museum in New York City and The Blackwood Gallery in Mississauga.  

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8, Ireland

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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