During the lockdown in 2021, graphic design graduates and twin sisters, Ciara and Rachel Howard, began their business as a creative outlet from their kitchen. Howrad Studios has come on leaps and bounds since, and is now stocked in Brown Thomas’ branch in Dundrum among several independent Irish stores.
The brand sells a variety of gift products including prints, mugs, stickers, ornaments, and much more. Howrad Studios products are known for their funky designs, all of which are created by Ciara and Rachel.
Let’s look at some of their most popular products.
Vintage Cow Disco Ornaments
Vintage Cow Disco ornaments are one of Howrad’s most popular products. While writing this article, each of the four versions of the product is currently out of stock. If you want to grab your hands on one of these, following Howrad Studios is your best chance. Restocks are always advertised on their platforms.
But, what makes this style of ornament so popular?
The disco cow ornament comes with a white string to attach onto whatever you want, giving the product a degree of flexibility. Although, the brand suggests using it as a car ornament. According to the co owners, when the sunlight hits the disco ball it's magical!
The ornaments are glued by hand, so come with a disclaimer that imperfections are expected. Despite these imperfections, they remain one of the brand’s most popular items. Perhaps this lack of perfection is their selling point. Each product comes out differently making each gift original. The differences are a reminder that the ornaments have been handled by a person with passion for their creativity-what’s not to like?
Ceramic Mugs
Howrad Studios has an extensive range of hand pressed mugs to select from. Therefore, it is no surprise that they have become one of the brand’s staple products. Their mugs have all sorts of designs from Irish cultural phrases, fandom features, to chronically online references.
One particular design from 2024 gained significant popularity among Irish consumers.
The You ain't seen nothin' yet mug featured a quote from the Taoiseach at the time, Simon Harris, which was taken from his speech following his announcement to contest for party leader of Fine Gael. The mug was such a success it even resulted in a letter of gratitude from An Taoiseach.
The product highlights the strong connection between creativity and pop culture. The phrase from the Wicklow politician’s speech had already gained traction due to meme culture and a good old bit of Irish slagging. Howrad’s mug may initially appear as a simply humorous gift, but it also demonstrates how art, regardless of its form, is always reflecting real people and real events taking place in the world.
Funky Prints
Another staple product of Howrad Studios is their collection of prints. They are a great choice for home decor, brightening up your workspace, or a creative gift. They feature everything from inspirational quotes, zodiac signs, pop references, fandom culture, and much more.
A personal favourite of their prints is the Éires tour collection.
It is one thing to be able to have access to art that is representative of your favourite artists, but it is another to have art that combines your favourite artists with your home country. The Éires tour collection features prints with designs featuring Taylor Swift, but also specific performances from Dublin.
The designs are not just a carbon copy of other merchandise products that can be purchased on Amazon. Instead, they are tailored for the attendees of the Dublin stint of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. The art represents specific memories thousands of people experienced last summer.
The prints are not just a form of merchandise, but a sentiment of an unforgettable evening.