About >
About
Alan Dunne
Alan Dunne, the renowned and award-winning freelance illustrator from Ireland, is known for his critically acclaimed work in children's and young adult publications, graphic novels, editorial pieces, advertising campaigns, postage stamps, museums, restaurants, and restaurants and visitor centres. His unique style is distinctive and considered, blending digital and traditional processes with occasional paper-craft for added flair.
In his work, Alan places great emphasis on storytelling and historical research, bringing his carefully researched characters and intricate details to life. His illustrious career has seen him lend his creative expertise to various projects, including the highly lauded book 'The Great Irish History Book' written by Myles Dungan and published by Gill.
Before diving into the world of illustration, Alan spent 12 years as a motion designer for RTÉ television. This background has influenced his work, as he loves incorporating motion and animation into his illustrations. Alan is a proud member of Illustrators Ireland, the Association of Illustrators (the AOI), and the Society of Authors. He also shares his passion and expertise with the next generation of artists by lecturing part-time at NCAD, Dublin.
Alan’s illustrious career is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft, and his contributions to the world of illustration have left an indelible mark.
Contact
Selected Clients
Affiliations
Authored Works
Alan has written and illustrated his own stories and created a series of graphic short stories. They are all available to read online. He has twice been shortlisted for the Comica/Observer/Jonathan Cape Graphic Short Story Award and was awarded the Cecil Day-Lewis Literature Award. His short comic Collage was selected to be on the Norwegian highschool Syllabus for English. He is currently developing a long-form graphic novel.
Steeplechase (2018)
Finalist in the Irish Design Awards 2018
Fowler, Gabe. Smoke Signals - Coney Island Edition. New York:
Desert Island Comics, 2018
Folly (2016)
Shortlisted in the Observer /Jonathan Cape /Comica Graphic
Short Story Competition 2016
www.alandunne.ie, 2015
A Perfect Trust (2016)
Lynch, Paddy. Straylines - An Irish Comics Anthology - Issue 2.
Dublin: Cardboard Press, Autumn 2016
Loop Theory (2015)
www.alandunne.ie, 2015
Experiment, The Comics Lab Anthology Issue 1. Dublin: Stray Lines, 2015
Collage (2014)
Shortlisted in the Observer /Jonathan Cape /Comica Graphic
Short Story Competition 2014
www.alandunne.ie, 2014
Printed folio, edition of 100. Dublin: Alan Dunne, 2016
Anderson, John. Meanwhile... Issue 5. London: Soaring Penguin Press, 2017
Echo Texts in English 8-10, Bergen: Fagbokforlaget, 2020
Me Hands (2012)
www.alandunne.ie, 2012
Printed folio, edition of 100. Dublin: Alan Dunne, 2016
Get Off That Ship (2012 - ongoing)
www.getoffthatship.com
Illustrations Featured in Publications
The Great Irish History Book, written by Myles Dungan illustrated by Alan Dunne, Dublin: Gill, (2022)
Irelandology, written by Rachel Pierce, London: Scholastic, (2021)
World Illustration Awards 2020, AOI and Serbin Creative, London (2020)
How Will Santa Find Us? Written by Shane O’Brien and Stephen Rogers, Good Cop Bad Cop, Dublin (2019)
The Irish Stamp Year Book 2019, An Post, Dublin (2019)
Artist Residencies
Alan has taken part in artist residencies and is very interested in collaborating with art curators to participate in future projects.
Past Residencies & Collaborations
Children’s Health Ireland Artist in Residence 2020-21. Title: ‘Off the Wall’
Dúchas Featured Artist 2020-2021. Title: ‘Cures’
Facebook Analog Lab 2018. Title: ‘Good Work Is Our Service’
Past Residencies & Collaborations
• Children’s Health Ireland Artist in Residence 2020-21. Title: ‘Off the Wall’
• Dúchas Featured Artist 2020-2021. Title: ‘Cures’
• Facebook Analog Lab 2018. Title: ‘Good Work Is Our Service
Exhibitions
Nov 2019: Exhibition - The United Arts Club
Aug 2019: Exhibition - The Liffey Swim Collection by Damn Fine Print. Om Diva Boutique, Drury Street, Dublin.
2017-2019: Professional Delegate - Angoulême International Comics Festival (with Illustrators Ireland)
2017-2019: Live Comics Reading - Dublin: Alliance Francaise Comics Festival (with The Comics Lab & Illustrators Ireland)
Jun 2017: Exhibition of A Perfect Trust- Dalkey Public Library, Willie Doyle Exhibition, with Irish Jesuit Archives
Nov 2016 - Jan 2017: Exhibited - Athlone: Luan Gallery, with Illustrators Ireland
Oct 2016: Exhibited - The Lake District: The Lakes International Comics Festival, with Stray Lines Collective
Sep 2016: Exhibited - Leeds: Thought Bubble with Stray Lines Comics Collective
Sep 2016: Live Comics Reading & Exhibited - Helsinki International Comics festival with Stray Lines Comics Collective (awarded travel bursary with Culture Ireland)
Jun 2016: Exhibited - London: ELCAF, The Round Chapel, with Stray Lines Comics Collective
Apr 2016: Exhibited - Bologna Children’s Book Fair, with Illustrators Ireland
Mar 2016: Exhibited - Dublin: United Arts Club with Illustrators Ireland
Mar 2016: Live Comics Reading & Exhibited - Dublin: Pulse - Irish Comics Now / Féte de la Bande Dessinée, Markt Gallery, with The Comics Lab & Illustrators Ireland
2012 - 2014: Exhibited Dublin Int. Film Fest. Filmbase and Lighthouse Cinema with Brainbelt Collective
Feb 2012: Exhibited - Dublin: Lighthouse Cinema with Hollywood Babylon Film Club
Nov 2011: Exhibited - Dublin: Irish Design Week, Graphic Studio Gallery - with Brainbelt Collective
Nov 2010: Exhibited - Dublin: Irish Design Week, Centre for Creative Practices - with Brainbelt Collective
Oct 2009: Exhibited - Dublin: The Back Loft Gallery - with Brainbelt Collective
Awards & Acknowledgements
Prize Record
Shortlisted Artist World Illustration Award 2022 #WIA2022
Shortlisted Artist World Illustration Award 2020 #WIA2020
Winner Irish Design Awards 2018 - Collaborative Design
Winner Irish Design Awards 2017 - Best Emerging Illustration
Winner Irish Design Awards 2017 - Publishing Illustration
Cecil Day-Lewis Literature Bursary 2017, Kildare County Council
Winner Irish Design Awards 2016 - Broadcast Design
Shortlisted Jonathan Cape / Comica / Observer Graphic Short Prize 2016
Shortlisted Jonathan Cape / Comica / Observer Graphic Short Prize 2014
Winner Irish Design Awards 2012 - Broadcast Design
Winner Irish Design Awards 2011 - Broadcast Design
Nominated ICAD 2011- Broadcast Craft - Animation
Oh.... and the Xtra-Vision Colouring competition in 1991!
Films & TV
Moving Image Design
Alan worked as a designer for RTÉ Graphic Design Dept for 12 years specialising in broadcast graphics and for every genre of programming there. He designed flagship programmes such as Prime Time, The Sunday Game, channel identities, and opening titles. Alan has experience in live-action direction, stop motion animation, digital animation, art direction, corporate branding, and documentary design. He took projects from concept stage to final production and has a thorough knowledge of the processes and inner workings of film and television port-production. He continues to work on some freelance motion-based projects.
TV Shows & Channel Promotions
RTÉ Television (2005 - 2017)
Prime Time brand identity, RTÉ Investigates, 2016 Centenary, The Sunday Game, 6 Nations Rugby, London 2012 Olympic Games, RTÉ ONE Christmas Idents, TRTÉ Idents, RTÉjr, Beijing Olympic Games 2008, Horse Racing, Pro Box Live, RTÉ New Season Promotions.
Filmography
David Gray: Ireland’s Greatest Hits (2020) Documentary Film Directed by Donal Scannell
Katie (2019) Documentary Film Directed by Ross Whitaker
A Thousand Kisses (2018) Short animated film Directed by Richard Goldgewicht