Pogo Design

15/05/2026

Thanks!
Great time presenting a branding workshop with Sarah-Jayne Shine at Chrysalis for Women today.

It was fun, and proved how Chrysalis for Women is a little different from many business networking groups in that we're NOT restricted to one of each profession.

The bonus of that approach is you get to hang out will your professional peers and support, not compete, with each other. As today proved, you can be VERY similar on paper but they way you express yourself can be very different.

We made a great team - thanks SJ.

08/05/2026

"Victory over vinyl"

A great doco on hand sign painters that's worth checking out.

Some entertaining characters talking about the craft and soul in what they do, how technology swept through the industry in the 80/90's and how younger people keeping are keeping it alive.

Here's hoping for victory over 'Ai slop' too!

Also, thanks to whoever it was who told me about this. Definitely worth a watch.

At a time when most American cityscapes are dominated by computer created mass-produced signage, Sign Painters takes a close look at the past, present, and hopeful future of the hand paint sign industry in the USA.

05/05/2026

Back from an excellent two day Design Assembly NZ course at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae - Unitec with Ira.

Interesting stuff and inspiring location to boot!

03/03/2026

Great session this morning at the Design Assembly Coffee Club!

Lovely to meet Corbin, Felix and Ashleigh, and catch up with Jeni and Erland again.

As part of the book swap we talked about what/who have inspired our design thinking. This included:

📗 On Connection - Kae Tempest (So popular there were two copies)

📗 Braiding Sweetgras - Robin Wall Kimmerer (An indigenous view of the environment)

📗 Massive - Massey Student Magazine (for experimentation)

📗 Sister Corita Kent (fabulous collage that can be viewed at http://Corita.org )

📗 Smile in the Mind: Witty thinking in graphic design - Beryl McAlhone and David Stuart (A classic featuring my design tutor!)

📗 Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert (Putting creativity out into the world for it's own sake and capturing ideas)

Our next meeting will be in April if you'd like to come along and meet some neat creatives.
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I'm a community-focused graphic designer that thrives on collaboration and building relationships. I love a bright idea and bringing a bit of bounce!

22/02/2026

It's a wrap.
'Imaginate' the creative exhibition closed after a summer run at Te Awahou Riverside Culture Park in Foxton. I popped in to collect some work this weekend and got to see the completed "wall".

Great to see what everyone else did with their letter, and the two other nga manu joining my tūī. Thanks again for the opportunity to get involved Sarah-Jayne Shine!

13/11/2025

Check out this exhibition in Foxton this summer. I'm looking forward to the official opening tomorrow at 11am with Sarah-Jayne Shine from Lemonface Creative!

https://www.teawahou.com/Whats-On/Imaginate

09/11/2025

I got to have fun with Sarah-Jayne Shine from Lemonface Creative this Saturday!

As part of the 'IMAGINATE' exhibition she's curating is a way where a different person gets to decorate a letter as they see fit. I was first out the gate ready for the opening on Saturday.

The exhibition is on throughout summer so if you're passing Foxton be sure to pop into Te Awahou (Library and wonderful community space) by the Windmill for a look.

09/10/2025

What a blast!!
Sorting through the feedback and I've been having fun on Canva creating these highlight visuals for Pukerua Bay Hub's Pop-up Parlour 2025.
Thanks to everyone involved for making it so awesome!

05/08/2025

What's a community-focused graphic designer?

For me, it’s one that designs for community.

As part of that commitment I undertake select pro-bono projects.

The latest got delivered this week - a fundraising calendar for my local Community Garden. This is the second calendar I’ve created and this version is connected to an upcoming fundraising Garden Trail.

But, like any other product, event or service there were the usual things to consider:

📸 Quality and affordable Images:
In this case I took many of the photos myself. Stock photos from places such as unsplash.com and photos from other people filled the gaps.

💰 Printing and costs:
Balancing a quality product against the budget and profit levels can be tricky. Do you know any local suppliers you can talk to?

🌈 Being authentic and specific:
Generic is boring! What makes you or your product unique?
For this project, each month showcases an individual garden.

If you want some ideas of how best to approach your next design project feel free to get in touch.

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I'm a community-focused graphic designer that thrives on collaboration and building relationships. I love a bright idea and bringing a bit of bounce!

03/08/2025

✏️ Creative challenge: a month of daily sketches

This encouraged me to stop and look while on my travels to familiar places.
Of course sometimes I was rushed (...erm, what can I draw?... my feet!) and some were dreadful (not included).
A reminder of how much drawing was required as a student and like any skill it takes practice.

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I'm a community-focused graphic designer that thrives on collaboration and building relationships. I love a bright idea and bringing a bit of bounce!