29 January 2026  

Local designer creates graphics for Mills Observatory

All photography & imagery courtesy of Rhianne Connelly.

LOCAL DESIGNER CREATES
GRAPHICS FOR MILLS OBSERVATORY

Graphic designer and printmaker, Rhianne Connelly tell us about her recent work for local landmark Mills Observatory

Lizzie Day (LD): Hi Rhianne! Can you please tell us a little about your practice and work?

Rhianne Connelly (RC): Hello! Of course, so I’m a designer and printmaker based in and originally from, Dundee. I’m drawn to bold patterns, playful typography and print design within my work.

As a graphic designer, I have a background of working in film and continue to work with lots of lovely clients in that sector (it’s niche but I absolutely love it!), as well as amazing arts and cultural organisations. I’ve been incredibly lucky to work on a total range of projects which always keeps things interesting – from playground graphics, exhibition posters, film festival campaigns to vinyls taking over entire sides of buildings!

Under my printmaking moniker of ‘Oh for print’s sake’, I craft beautiful prints that celebrate our Scottish quirks and heritage, with Dundonian history being a huge influence on my design practice. I use a blend of printmaking mediums to bring my colourful designs to life, experimenting with letterpress, risograph and screen printing.
(L-R) Designs for Oh for Prints Sake, Hilltown Park, and Dundee Contemporary Arts, all by Rhianne Connelly.

LD: It’s so exciting to see your work installed at Mills Observatory in celebration of the historic venue’s 90th birthday! How did this commission come about?

RC: It actually came about through a recommendation from yourselves (so thank you for that bit of networking!). The team at Leisure & Culture Dundee had asked for some designer recommendations and my portfolio was lucky enough to be included in the mix – then some general chats, discussions about the brief and just getting a better idea for what the project would entail helped progress things from there. 

“I was really keen to bring in texture as an integral part of the illustrative approach. I wanted to avoid overusing lots of repetitive photographs… Bringing in textures that were evocative of the planets and skies to create a sense of continuity and atmosphere as people move through the different floors. “

– Rhianne Connelly

Mills Observatory graphic by Rhianne Connelly, 2025.

LD: Can you talk us through how you approached the brief? What things were important to consider?

RC: After initially chatting things through with the Leisure & Culture Dundee team, we went up for a site visit so that I could see Mills in person to properly get a feel for how everything should flow throughout the space.

One of the biggest factors for me was building a typographic system that could work across all of the very different pieces of print – ensuring it would be accessible on wayfinding signage but also that it still felt like a considered piece of design. I was really keen to use some typefaces that had a little character about them, something reflective of the space and its almost futuristic ambitions. You should see my folders of font research!
It was also really important to me to approach the style in a slightly different way than you’d expect. I was really keen to bring in texture as an integral part of the illustrative approach. I wanted to avoid overusing lots of repetitive photographs, partly as this felt very traditional but also because I wanted visitors to engage with what they were seeing by seeing something a little unexpected. Bringing in textures that were evocative of the planets and skies to create a sense of continuity and atmosphere as people move through the different floors. It was also really key to create something visually appealing to all audience ages – from youngsters, to their parents and to people who have been visiting Mills since its earlier days.

LD: We’ve seen you use imagery of Mills Observatory in some of your work previously (for Oh for Print’s Sake and Mix Map Dundee). What is it about Mill’s Observatory that draws you in?

RC: It’s such an iconic Dundee landmark – both from an architectural point of view and for its amazing history! For me there’s something kind of otherworldly about the space and what it looks out and connects to up there – kind of a dream to think up illustrations and designs around that idea. Within a lot of my printmaking work I draw on local places and given that Mills can claim the unique trait of having a papier-mâché dome, the distinctive dome shape fits really perfectly into my series of minimal architecture themed prints. 

Mills Observatory graphic by Rhianne Connelly, 2025.

“[Mills is] such an iconic Dundee landmark – both from an architectural point of view and for its amazing history! For me there’s something kind of otherworldly about the space…”

– Rhianne Connelly

LD: Mills is of course a very important landmark in Dundee – why is the Observatory important to you?

RC: I’ve actually been incredibly unlucky every time I’ve been up to Mills in the last year or so, never timing it well with a clear sky… So a personal highlight was finally being able to use the telescopes and see something, fittingly it was on the 90th evening celebrations so it felt very special!

I became involved in the redesign for the interiors a year or so after the incredible online buzz and campaign which saw people flock to visit Mills when it was at risk of closing its doors. So being there to celebrate the fact it was turning 90 and then hearing from people with a really strong connection, along with their memories of Mills on the night was beyond lovely as well.

LD: Thanks so much for your time, Rhianne! It’s been great learning more about your experience – anything else you’d like to add?

RC: Thanks for having me! I can’t leave without telling people to pop to Mills Observatory for a visit! It’s honestly such a lovely thing to see a venue remain open after all these years, even more so after celebrating such an incredible milestone. Just time it well for a clear night sky! 

Rhianne Connelly

Rhianne Connelly is a graphic designer and printmaker who is drawn to bold patterns, playful typography and print design. As a graphic designer she has a background of working in film and with cultural organisations, to create audience centred campaigns. Alongside her graphic design practice, she works under the printmaking moniker of Oh for print’s sake, crafting bold prints that celebrate Scottish quirks and heritage.

rhiannemargo.design
ohforprintsake.com

Mills Observatory

Open six nights a week, the observatory invites visitors to explore the wonders of the night sky through its powerful telescopes and enjoy breathtaking views from the iconic Balgay Hill landmark in the city. This season is particularly special as it marks the 90th anniversary of Mills Observatory. A celebratory programme of events and activities will be unveiled soon, promising memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.

@millsobservatory
leisureandculturedundee.com/culture/mills

9 December 2025  

Abertay Graduate Attends Berlin Games Festival

All photography & imagery courtesy of Jazz Chambers.

ABERTAY GRADUATE ATTENDS
BERLIN GAMES FESTIVAL

Winner of the 2025 UNESCO City of Design Dundee culture award at Abertay University’s Digital Graduate Show, games designer Jazz Chambers tells us about her recent trip to fellow City of Design Berlin.

Lizzie Day (LD): Hi Jazz! Congratulations on being awarded the UNESCO City of Design Dundee culture prize at the Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2025! Can you please tell us a little about your work and your grad show project?

Jazz Chambers (JC): Hi! I studied Games Design and Production at Abertay. My work throughout university was predominantly focused on user experience. By designing with collaboration and creativity in mind, I aimed to create a therapeutic and mindful experience in my honours project, Cozy Craft, a Minecraft therapy adventure. Using applied games design and creative mechanics to explore CBT, REBT, and other therapies. The experience can be played solo, in group settings, or alongside practitioners who use games in their therapy approach.

Cozy Craft by Jazz Chambers, as shown at Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2025.

LD: As part of your prize you attended Games Ground, Berlin’s Gaming Festival. Why is it important for young designers to attend events such as Games Ground?

JC: Networking has always been essential within creative industries, and games design is no exception. Events like Games Ground offer the perfect environment to build those connections. A shared love of games, hearing directly from studios about their development journeys, and access to so much industry knowledge all provide incredibly valuable learning and insight.

“Networking has always been essential within creative industries, and games design is no exception. Events like Games Ground offer the perfect environment to build those connections.”

– Jazz Chambers

Exploring Games Ground, November 2025.

LD: Talk us through your trip! What were your highlights?

JC: Games Ground itself was full of highlights — from attending talks by Hazelight Studios to playtesting inspiring projects, plus being led on DnD-style side quests by event staff to help connect attendees! Outside of the festival, visiting the Berlin Wall, exploring the Zoo and Aquarium, and spending time in the Samurai Museum and the Deja Vu Museum were unforgettable experiences. It felt like every corner of the city revealed a new creative gem.

LD: How was it being in Berlin, a fellow City of Design? Were their any particularly inspiring moments?

JC: Being in Berlin, a fellow UNESCO City of Design, felt like stepping into a place where creativity and artistic influence shape every street. The blend of history, culture, and design was incredibly inspiring.

“I attended with my classmate Alice… Sharing the experience with a friend made through my degree made the trip even more meaningful.”

-Jazz Chambers

Jazz and classmate Alice Kerr explore Berlin, November 2025.

LD: You attended Games Ground with an Abertay University classmate – would you like to introduce them?

JC: I attended with my classmate Alice Kerr, who also studied Games Design and Production at Abertay. Sharing the experience with a friend made through my degree made the trip even more meaningful. We were able to reflect together, learn from the studios we met, and bring back ideas we’re excited to explore in our own work.

LD: Thanks so much for your time, Jazz! It’s been great learning more about your experience – anything else you’d like to add?

JC: I’d like to say a huge thank you to Abertay, my honours supervisor Dr Andrew Reid for pushing this project to achieve all it has. As well as a huge thank you to UNESCO City of Design Dundee for selecting my project for the culture award, and all those who supported my honours project. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and for the reception my work received. And I’m excited to continue creating meaningful and thoughtful experiences through games.

Jazz Chambers was the recipient of UNESCO City of Design Dundee’s culture award, presented at Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2025. 

This trip was kindly supported by UNESCO City of Design Berlin and Games Ground, Berlin’s Gaming Festival.