Kia Ora,
I am a graphic designer who tells visual stories that further social change and social justice.
What I do
Create
I transform insights, research and lived experience into visual stories that have social impact.
I use the tools of graphic design, photography and painting to create brands, logos, campaigns and information design to visualize stories for impact.
Design
I co-design community initiatives, strategies and workshops that identify pathways for change.
Nurturing long-time relationships intertwined with co-design, I engage in local community initiatives to co-create new pathways for change.
Organise
I organise ideas, people and communities together toward a common goal.
Seeing new ideas and connections everywhere, I bring people together to experiment and explore a common goal around social change.
Social Change. Graphic Design. Story-telling.
Social Change. Graphic Design. Story-telling.
Why moving our bodies has the power to create transformational change for individuals and communities.
I am writing about…
The journey of change that movement sparks and nurtures is a powerful force for liberation and social change.
Current Roles & Projects
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Graphic Design for Social Good
Working as Graphic Designer in Social Good for 11+ years, I have explored story telling for behaviour change, and social change through visual image making and design.
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Speculative Futures Tāmaki Makaurau Chapter Co-Organiser
The Design Futures Initiative connects designers, strategist, engineers, scientists, artist and futurist from around the world. We facilitate conversations and events on the ethical environmental, political and economical impact of the future. We do this in service of investigating what futures we want, what we want to avoid, and ultimately how we might create the futures we want to live in.
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Haere Mai/Welcome Home Project Co-ordinator
Haere Mai & Welcome is an intergenerational & intercultural creative initiative designed to give new residents all the information they need to find their feet in their new neighbourhood. It supports existing residents to connect positively with newcomers and can be used in any neighbourhood, helping to improve social cohesion.
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Embodied Dance Experiment Co-founder
An embodied movement experiment where we explore dance and movement as a way of connecting with ourselves, our bodies and each other. Co-designed, collectively led and collaboratively hosted, we share the responsibility for evolving how we do things, curating playlists, opening and closing, holding space and caring for one another.
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FRANK Stationery Co-Founder
Co-founder of FRANK Stationery, a designer stationery social enterprise that operates on a ‘buy one give one’ model. For every diary/notebook we sell, we donate a school book to a child in need in New Zealand.
Over 85,000 school books have already been donated.
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Te Whai Community Trust Volunteer
Working with Te Whai Community Trust on a range of projects including Haere Mai/Welcome Home & Rangatahi Engagement in Mangawhai.
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Member of Mangawhai Art Gallery
Contributing to community exhibitions through abstract painting and photography.
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Network Waitangi Whangarei Member
Member of Network Waitangi Whangarei, who provides information, education and support for implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
References & Recommendations
“I’ve greatly appreciated Jess's ability to hold and navigate emotional complexity; provide kind, constructive feedback; and patiently invest in growing the capacity of others.”
Imogen Parry
Masters of Psychotherapy
student, AUT
“Through her creative practice it’s clear that Jess aims to unlock aesthetics to create connection. This intent and engagement in the process often means her level of connection extends beyond the standard client-designer relationship, resulting in work that truly honours the audience it is intended for.”
Logan Bradley
Creative Director,
Curative
“Throughout our collaborations, I have witnessed and experienced first-hand Jess' unique ability to infuse movement and embodiment into her artwork, creating pieces that go beyond aesthetics and convey a profound sense of emotion and transformation.”
Jade Tang-taylor
Innovation Director,
academyEX
“Jess adds value by integrating felt experiences into creative expression and builds connections with people who are involved in our process of design. She goes the extra mile to understand the context of her work and takes the time to ask questions, listen and learn. ”
Joanne Mitchell
General Manager,
Diversitas
“More than anything, what sets Jess apart is her care for the humans she shares her life and work with. Jess cares deeply about people - their wellbeing, their spirit, and wairua.”