Founded in 2002 as a hybrid design-and-print venture, Coolgrey has evolved into one of Cork’s most ambitious creative studios.
In 2002, when Coolgrey first opened its doors, the goal was to build a design studio with its own in-house print production, delivering everything from identity to rollout under one roof. The studio was founded by friends Justin Cronin and Anthony Cotter, who spent nearly two decades working with local SMEs and watching many of those businesses grow into national and even global successes.
While they saw great success with this approach, the pandemic prompted a shift. During those years, Coolgrey brought in creative director Kieran Rigby and doubled down on brand design as the heart of its practice.
“Coolgrey was born out of necessity in 2002,” Kieran says. “The guiding principle remains the same: always deliver more than is expected.”
An ethos of ambition and positivity
Ambition, drive, and positivity are core values that Coolgrey was built on, that Kieran says are still woven into the daily life of everyone who works there.
“We as a team are always looking to push our clients and ourselves to do something new and exciting, but also focused on developing the company as a whole,” he explains. “I want people to come to us with the knowledge and understanding that what we produce for them we will stand over, confident that we are putting our best foot forward.”
This means that all clients receive the same energy, ensuring that candid, creative conversations are the highlight of someone’s working day, rather than another meeting to get through. “A wise man once said, ‘Don’t be an arsehole,’ and we stand by that,” says Kieran.
It’s a simple but effective mantra that’s much welcome in an industry that sometimes takes itself too seriously.
Branding spaces, not just screens
One of Coolgrey’s more distinctive offers is workspace branding, which doesn’t just mean putting your logo on the walls and at reception. The service involves helping clients shape environments that embody their values without overwhelming the people who use them.
“We use the phrase ‘under-branding’ quite a bit here,” Kieran says. “No one wants to be sold to on a day-to-day basis, especially in a company where they work.”
For Nordan, a Norwegian doors and windows company, that philosophy meant leaving behind the obvious. Kieran explains: “Their primary brand colours are a strong yellow and red, but you will find their interior spaces use zero yellow or red, and this was a purposeful decision.
“The tone they want to set is one of high-end quality and richness. Yet it still needs to align with the overarching brand and identity.”
Local roots with global reach
Coolgrey’s client list spans Cork institutions such as The Everyman Theatre through to global giants like Johnson & Johnson. For Kieran, the scale matters less than the relationship.
“We take every project on a case-by-case basis and have found that people are people. They all have something they need help with,” he says. “Granted, budgets can dictate what is realistic, but there is always a way to work at different scales and speak to companies at every level.”
The fact that the studio has thrived in both local and international contexts is down to this human-first philosophy. It’s clear that Coolgrey is less focused on chasing prestige and more on showing up when needed with the right team for the job.
Behind the scenes, the studio operates with a cross-disciplinary team spanning designers, print producers, project managers, illustrators, and motion specialists.
“It means that we do not fear a challenge, and because the outputs are crafted and finessed, it allows us to think creatively while knowing we can physically make it happen,” says Kieran. “Creativity done in anxiety shows. Just like cooking a meal in a panic, people notice.”
This nimble and diverse team structure really shows in the studio’s portfolio, which includes projects like wrapping an entire building in vinyl for The Brasserie, designing showroom interiors, and creating long-term brand identities.
Cork Rocks for Rory
When asked about standout projects, Kieran points to Cork Rocks for Rory, a celebration of legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher.
“In Cork, Rory Gallagher represents not just music but an entire generation of people, and to be trusted with shaping the identity of a global icon was a real honour,” he recalls.
The visual identity spread across event graphics, posters, video and animation, exhibitions, and even a city-wide walking tour called Stompin’ Ground. The impact was seen instantly, with fans travelling from around the world to take part and locals embracing it as a piece of cultural history.
“The project not only celebrated Rory Gallagher’s legacy but also established a brand that can continue to grow year after year, honouring Cork’s heritage on a global scale,” Kieran says.
Polish and print
An intentional mix of high-end refinement and approachable tone is evident throughout Coolgrey’s portfolio, which Kieran says is a business tactic as much as a creative showcase.
“You want to do your best work and show the best of everything you do, but that means you could scare off potential clients who feel you are out of their budget,” Kieran says. “We really want to work on a range of different areas and scales, mainly because it keeps us sharp and in tune with design.”
The studio actively resists the temptation to chase only big-ticket projects. “No creative I have met wants to get stuck in a monotonous project with no end in sight,” Kieran adds.
For a studio with roots in print, Coolgrey continues to champion the value of physical collateral.
Kieran explains: “We maintain it by showing it. We talk to people about its value, that while digital access and experiences have their place and are essential for so much of today’s world, you cannot experience a physical artefact in the same way.”
He believes that this benefits the staff as much as the clients, as it means the results of their work are always on a screen.
Long-term partnerships
Many of Coolgrey’s clients have stayed with the studio for years, even decades. Kieran thinks that this comes down to a mix of trust, openness, and mutual curiosity.
“We have built business partners, collaborators, friendships, and clients through how we speak, act, and deliver,” he says. “What keeps things creatively exciting is knowing that they will let us throw anything at the wall and challenge the way we all think.”
When clients bring their own passion to the table, it makes it possible to experiment and build a better creative partnership.
Looking ahead
Asked about the future, Kieran laughs: “A huge question, but I’ll give it a go!”
He points to the studio’s evolution over the past five years, from redefining its persona to shifting the balance of its work. “I see Coolgrey growing not necessarily in scale, but in quality and demand. Keeping small allows us to pivot and adapt to an ever-changing design landscape.”
While emerging technologies are always on the radar, Coolgrey isn’t in a rush to jump into the latest shiny thing. “The tech landscape is so broad at the moment that it is difficult to justify investing significantly in one specific area, but working with experts in those fields is likely how we will approach it,” Kieran says.
For all its global reach, Coolgrey remains proudly rooted in Cork. Its story is as much about the city’s cultural life as it is about brand strategy or print craft. What’s clear is that the studio has become part of the local creative fabric, shaping events, spaces, and identities that ripple far beyond the county line.
