Artist and Design Leader passionate for the intersection of art and communication through creativity, craft and empathy.
Born in New Zealand in 1976, originally from ‘up north’ moving to Auckland for University where I graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Design Major. Studies in Archaeology, Anthropology, and Art History.
My first post graduate role was at a local tech company - hired to set up their first in-house Web Design team. I was an early player in User Experience, Digital Design, and Branding for the connected world. Mostly learning on the job and applying the design process to website and digital product design. For me, my first internet experience was literally my first day of work.
“my first internet experience was literally my first day of work”
20+ years of experience working in New Zealand’s design, tech, and advertising world, lead me to DDB Group Aotearoa, New Zealand’s largest Agency as Head of Design.
Recent years the value of community has meant more to me and I’m now proudly a professional member of The Designers Institute of New Zealand.
A multidisciplinary designer, I ‘nerd out’ on things art and design related. A creative practicing UI & UX leadership, art direction, tech innovation, and branding.
While not working I love spending time with family & friends, in the home studio, gardening, travel, red wine & good eats, pets, reading novels, at the gym, road trips and diving down musical rabbit holes collecting vinyl or playlists on Spotify.
Artist and Design Leader. Passionate for the intersection of art and communication. Using technology, craft and empathy.
Projects awarded at:
Best Design Awards, Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2018 (Māori Language Awards), Contagious, Kātoitoi - Aotearoa Design Archive, D&AD, Caples, CANNES, The One Show, AWARD awards, Adfest, Axis NZ, Creative Pool, New York Festivals, Clio Awards, ECHO, Spikes, Adstars, Webby, and FWA.
Judged at:
Axis, Best Design, and Echo award shows.
Awards
Kupu
Best Awards
Gold - Ngā Aho Award
Gold - Public Good Award
Gold - Applications
Silver - Interactive
Silver - Empowering
Ngā Tohu Reo Māori
Supreme winner
D&AD
Yellow Pencil, Digital Design, User Experience
Wood Pencil, Digital Design, Service Design
Caples
Gold - Mobile
Gold - Innovation