Frank Sammon : Graphic Designer

Meet the Team: Frank Sammon

Frank is Athlone Community Radio’s Graphic Designer.

When you see Athlone Community Radio’s posters, social media graphics, or even its festive Christmas cards, chances are you’re looking at the creative work of Frank Sammon. With a background in graphic design, art, and photography, Frank brings his creative eye to every project giving ACR a visual voice to match its sound.

Biography

Education & experience

 After graduating from secondary school, Frank completed a portfolio preparation course in Art and Design before pursuing a four-year degree in Graphic Design at Athlone Institute of Technology. He later worked as a freelance graphic designer, artist, and photographer.

How he joined ACR:

Frank started working with Athlone Community Radio on August 31, 2020, looking for a new challenge that would allow him to apply and expand his design skills in a practical community setting.

 Work at the Station

Role: Graphic Designer & Website Support

Projects & tasks managed: Frank creates graphics for public display, social media, and station promotions, from show posters to event campaigns. He also designs creative fundraising materials such as Christmas cards and merchandise, and updates the station website when needed.

Daily responsibilities: Designing visuals for ongoing projects, updating the website, and attending meetings about the daily running of the station.

 Achievements

Most significant achievement: Combining his creative background with community radio, helping ACR strengthen its visual presence and community engagement.This allows to give a visual design to a person’s voice.

Projects he’s proud of: Contributing to ACR’s fundraising efforts through design work.

Notable results: Designing a series of original Christmas cards, which quickly sold out and became a proud moment of connection with the community.

About You – Q&A

What’s your favourite thing about working at ACR?

My favourite thing about working in Athlone Community Radio is the freedom to be creative and work with others. As an artist and graphic designer, I enjoy turning voices, music, and local stories into visual designs—like posters, social media graphics, and logos. What I like most is that community radio is real and personal. I get to work with people who care about their community, and I help bring their ideas to life through art. It’s not about profit, it’s about giving the community a voice and a place to have their stories heard.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering in radio?

My advice is: give it a try! Volunteering in community radio is a great way to learn, be creative, and meet new people. You don’t need to be perfect—just be willing to help and learn. As an artist, I’ve learned that radio is more than just being on air. You can help in many ways—like making posters, designing social media posts, or helping at events. It’s a fun and meaningful way to use your skills, support local voices, and give back to your community. You really feel like you’re making a difference.

 Radio & Music Vibes

If you could interview anyone, who would it be?

If I could interview anyone, I would choose David Bowie. He was a very creative musician who always tried new things in music and style. I’d like to ask him how he came up with his ideas and how he kept changing and staying fresh for so long. Bowie wasn’t afraid to be different, and I think talking to him would be really interesting. I’d also want to hear the stories behind his famous characters like Ziggy Stardust

What’s the first song you remember loving?

The first song I remember loving is Hound Dog by Elvis Presley when I was very young. I liked how it sounded even though I didn’t understand the words back then. Now I know the song has a different meaning—it’s really about calling someone out for their behaviour. It’s funny how songs can mean different things when you’re older! I just thought it was a song about a dog and I liked to sing it… Poorly!

Random & Revealing

Tea or coffee?

“Coffee all the way! Without it, I’m basically a zombie trying to remember if I’m awake or still dreaming. It’s energy in a cup—one sip and suddenly I can think, talk, and even be a normal human again. Coffee is my not so secret weapon for surviving the day… and yeah, I’m fully aware it’s a bit of a problem!”

If you could instantly master one instrument, what would it be?

“If I could instantly master one instrument, it would be the piano. I love how it sounds—sometimes soft and calm, sometimes loud and angry. The piano is great because you can play many different kinds of music on it, like classical, jazz, pop, or blues. That means you can always try new styles and never get bored.”

The Wacky Corner

If you woke up with a superpower, what would it be?

If I woke up with a superpower, it would be teleportation. I could go anywhere in the world right away—no waiting, no traveling. It would save a lot of time, money and be really fun. I could visit friends anytime and see new places fast. Instantaneous travel. Also wouldn’t have to drive anymore!

If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be

If I had to wear one outfit for the rest of my life, it would definitely be comfort over fashion—because who wants to deal with uncomfortable clothes forever? Blue hoodie, simple black t-shirt. Pair that with my trusty black jeans and for shoes, classic Converse all the way. Plus, this is what I wear most days anyway.

 Community & Impact

What does “community” mean to you?

To me, community means being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about people coming together, not just because they live in the same area, but because they care about each other. A strong community makes everyone feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s where you can be yourself without judgment, and where people show up for one another—not just in big ways, but in the little things too. Community means sharing ideas, celebrating differences, and helping each other grow. Whether it’s through conversations, local events, creative projects, or simply checking in on someone—it all adds up.

What’s your proudest moment at ACR?

My proudest moment as part of Athlone Community Radio was definitely creating the Christmas cards of Athlone. The idea was to capture the town in a festive, creative way—and turned into something that really connected with people. I designed a series of cards that featured familiar local landmarks, but with a Christmas twist. It was a way to celebrate Athlone’s charm and share it with the community and beyond and also allowed me to draw which I don’t always have time for. What made it really rewarding was seeing people react to them—locals recognizing their favourite spots, or people sending the cards to family abroad as a little piece of home.”

Frank’s creativity gives Athlone Community Radio its visual heartbeat, turning voices and stories into designs that represent the spirit of the community. We’re proud to have him on the team.