Announcing Decades of Design session at Women in Design Day 2025
We are excited to announce our incredible lineup for the Decades of Design session at Women in Design Day 2025— taking place on 21 March in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
In the lead up to our second Women in Design Day: Moments of Change—an annual event dedicated to fostering community, celebration, and education among women in the design industry in Aotearoa New Zealand—we’ll be releasing interviews with each of our speakers announced below to give you a sense of their career journeys and the types of conversations we’ll be diving into at the live event.
Moments of Change
Life rarely follows a straight line—often it’s defined by twists and turns, unexpected shifts that change our direction and transform who we are. These Moments of Change may come in the form of a new project, a career opportunity, a personal challenge, a windfall, international travel, becoming a parent, experiencing loss, or meeting a new person.
At this event, we will explore these moments and how they’ve shaped the stories of women in design. It will be an opportunity for you to reflect on how change has shaped your own creative journey and to embrace the possibilities that emerge from life’s unpredictability.
Decades of Design Session
As part of the full-day programme you will hear five design professionals share stories about their own Moments of Change and insight into how the pivotal experiences shaped their personal and professional journeys. The talks will be followed by lunch and variety of workshops and activities for you to choose from.
Our Speakers
We are excited to confirm five speakers from across different decades, representing women in their 20s through to their 60s:
Annie Dow | Founder and Owner, Dow Goodfolk and Brother Design
Annie’s tenacity, her passion for design, smarts and generosity have not only enabled her to grow two highly regarded strategic brand and design agencies, but provided opportunities for generations of designers in Aotearoa New Zealand to grow their own talents.
Annie is a passionate and vocal expert on the value of branding and believes creative and strategic excellence transforms brands, her mantra of ‘Design Delivers Value’ is legendary within the industry.
Annie received the 2019 Black Pin award—recognised by DINZ, for her contribution to the design industry.
Kim Pick | Group Executive Creative Director, VML New Zealand
For more than three decades, Kim Pick has blazed a trail for creative women in advertising, working her way around the world via leading agencies.
She kicked off an award-winning copywriting career in Sydney, before being appointed Creative Director of McCann Erickson Singapore in her mid-twenties, one of the youngest women to take on the role. At Saatchi & Saatchi London, she was promoted to Regional Creative Director, working on billion-dollar P&G brands. She was ECD of RAPP New York until 2014, when she returned to Aotearoa New Zealand, joining Colenso BBDO. She was appointed to VML in 2018, where she leads creative across the Auckland and Wellington offices.
Kim is passionate about the industry, regularly serving on advisory and thought leadership panels, and local and international awards juries.
Kyra Ta-Waka Clarke | Founder and Creative Director, Threaded
BDes (Hons). Ngāpuhi | Ngāti Hau
Kyra is a passionate publication enthusiast, dedicated māma to two young tamariki, and the Founder and Creative Director of Threaded, an award-winning graphic design studio with a focus on publications, print, and digital design.
Threaded Magazine, a hallmark of the studio, has earned numerous accolades, including honours from the Indigo Awards, A’Design Awards, D&AD Awards, IDA Design Awards, Best Design Awards, and Pride and Print Awards. With a client base spanning SMEs, not-for-profits, and community, hapū, and iwi organisations, Kyra brings a unique blend of cultural insight, creativity, collaboration, and strategic vision, crafting designs that are both impactful and culturally resonant across all projects.
Alice Murray | Creative Director, Freelance
A graphic designer passionate about visual communication, Alice was an Associate Partner at Pentagram London for the last seven years. She is now freelancing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Alice ran the ‘Lost Time project’ a project that brought to life the gender pay gap. She also runs ’Little People Prints,’ a venture born out of her search for clear, educational prints for her son’s room. She loves using graphic design to create bold, learning-focused art for kids, brightening up their spaces.
Aakifa Chida | Graphic Designer and Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology
Aakifa is a graphic designer based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Alongside running Studio Chida with her sister Afifa, Aakifa is also a part of the teaching team for the Communication Design course at AUT School of Art and Design where she completed her Bachelors and Masters.
Aakifa’s creative practice revolves around using design to promote positive social change through trying to bring about education and awareness.
Each of these women will bring a unique perspective, spanning generations of creative brilliance. Their talks will be followed by lunch and a variety of workshops and activities.
Tickets on Sale Now!
Don’t miss your chance to join us on Friday 21 March, 2025 at The Officers’ Mess, Fort Takapuna, for a day of inspiration, connection, and professional growth.
Earlybird Pricing:
- Members: $250 (plus GST + BF)
- Non-Members: $400 (plus GST + BF)
Tickets are limited to 100 attendees—secure yours today before they’re gone!
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing these incredible stories with you.
