Beginning in London in 1990, Cliona worked with HSAG Design, Schneider Associates and Chrissie Charlton & Company. She created information design, divisional branding and literature for IBM Europe; literature for Ideal Standard and Reed exhibitions; a multi‑lingual literature programme and wayfinding systems for HMRP The Tower of London; corporate brochures for Visa UK and Greenpeace, and annual report design for the British Council.
Clíona returned to Ireland in 1997 working as a freelance senior designer with several leading Dublin design groups. Before co‑founding Rain in 1998, she created an award‑winning brand identity for The National Museum of Ireland & Cultural Institutions, designed mortgage literature for Bank of Ireland and an annual report for Barlo Group.