St. Patrick's Day 2021

Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Dublin-based guest artist Arron Croasdell, honors a beloved Irish holiday celebrated worldwide: St. Patrick’s Day. 

Today’s Doodle artwork features symbols that represent Ireland's diverse geography, architecture, and history. The first icon signifies the country’s verdant mountains, forests, and coastal lighthouses, many of which stand near popular walking and swimming sites. The imagery in the first "o" is a nod to the hands and heart of the legendary Claddagh ring, a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. The second "o" incorporates a vase holding Irish wildflowers—spring squill and crocuses—as well as a three-leafed clover, an iconic state emblem of Ireland that represents faith, hope, and love. 

A depiction of the numerous rivers that run through many Irish towns and cities replaces the “g” as the “l” stands for Ireland’s natural woodlands, much of which are being restored thanks to new state reforestation initiatives. Finally, the "e" is replaced by a Celtic knot, a symbol of Irish hope in the infinite interconnectedness of humanity.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Guest Artist Q&A with Arron Croasdell

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Dublin-based guest artist Arron Croasdell. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A. Being an Irish designer,  it's so nice to represent our national holiday on a global scale.
 

Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? 

A. I drew inspiration from contemporary design styles. I wanted to incorporate items that represent Ireland without being over-the-top traditional (ie. leprechauns).

Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A.  I want people to know that Ireland is more than just the stereotypes. It has a vibrant culture and landscape, as well as a thriving design and illustration scene.