2025 Hot New Things: Mia Gilmore, Ara Institute of Canterbury
Design Assembly profiles a selection of the top graduates from the best Art and Design Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. We welcome these talented emerging professionals to our industry, learn about their passions, final projects, developing creative confidence and ambitions for the future.
Today we speak with Mia Gilmore who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Design from Ara Institute of Canterbury. Find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate study options in art and design by visiting our Design Schools page.
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m Mia Gilmore, and there’s truly nothing that inspires me quite like this field. I studied design in high school, and I just loved the creative process and outcomes throughout that class. Over the three years of my degree, I formed a strong interest in typography and decided to pursue that for my final project. It started as an idea. about type as a whole, and then quickly evolved into just focusing on New Zealand typography which I discovered has not been widely explored. Curating a piece of work that I haven’t found on the market, or that is widely explored, was a challenge but also a huge achievement. Being part of the design scene in Aotearoa is a huge source of inspiration for me. The creativity and diversity in Aotearoa offers a culture of design that nowhere else in the world has, and I’m excited about the unique opportunities this landscape offers. As a young designer, I’m eager to connect with others and learn from the talented community around me.
What was the focus of your graduating project?
My book A to NZ explores my interest in, and unpacks, typography of Aotearoa, highlighting contributions from both Māori and Pākehā. It reveals the stories and ideas behind type design from the typographers themselves and the experience of Kiwi designers who engage with typography daily. My goal with this book is to collect all these perspectives and display them in a way that provides an insight into the typography landscape of Aotearoa today. I wanted to celebrate the journey typography has been on in New Zealand, acknowledging the past but also exploring what is in its future. This book is a small representation of typography in Aotearoa today.
Why did you choose to study design?
The creative process is something that inspires me every single time. I love coming up with ideas and solutions and executing them in a way that either fits the brief or if you have creative freedom, does something brand new. I think design goes so much deeper than just a poster or logo, it is the basis of everything we see and interact with. It has a function and a purpose; it can be used as persuasion or contemplation. I think the gravity that design holds in our society is so much bigger than I realised going into this degree but coming out of it, I understand the effect I may have on society through my work. Whether that’s big or small, I just love being a part of that and having the opportunity to be creative as a career!
What did you enjoy most about the design programme?
My final project. Through my idea, I was able to get in touch with some amazing mentors and designers to help me with the book. I was excited about the fact that there wasn’t anything else quite like this out there, and I felt like I was doing something new. I also learnt so much about typography and it gave me the depth of understanding about how big of a role type plays in design. It is a crucial part of design and something I want to explore much more.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
Time – I was working, travelling and trying to keep a rental afloat, all whilst studying. I would sometimes find it hard to balance it all, but it worked out in the end.
What inspired you to pick design as a career path?
I remember seeing design work around town, or in a store and I was always very drawn to aesthetics and interesting designs. My curiosity was always there when it came to design and naturally, this felt like the right path to explore.
Who is your favourite designer/artist/creative?
I’m currently really inspired by Studio Hiho, based in Melbourne. It is co-founded by Wesley Waddell and Patrick Scanlan, two very talented designers. I just love the way they explore their ideas; everything is so well executed, and their attention to detail is very evident. When it comes to typography, their choice of fonts, placement, body copy, manipulation of type etc. is always so well done, and they inspire me a lot, especially in that area.
What piece in your portfolio are you most proud of?
Definitely A to NZ – this project became something I didn’t even think I would be able to pull off. I wrote and designed the book, which was a massive task but also using mainly typography as a base tool for design meant I had to think outside the box. Luckily I had amazing mentors who always helped push me that little bit further, and now I have created something I’m truly proud of.
What’s next for you?
To get a spot at a studio and to hopefully win a Best Award for A to NZ, and maybe even a sponsorship in carrying on the work I have done and extending this book into something bigger. I think it has so much potential but as a student, I am limited with where I can take it. I would love to see what options are out there for something like this.
