2025 Hot New Things: Lili Davies, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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 Lili Davies who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Design Innovation from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. 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:
Kia Ora. My name is Lili. I’ve recently graduated with a Bachelor of Design Innovation from Victoria University, majoring in Communication Design. I’m originally from Auckland, although I moved to Wellington in 2022 for University. I love Wellington and its rich queer culture, although Karangahape Road in Auckland still has a very special place in my heart (and in ABJECT!)
My strengths are typography, illustration, photography and strange ideas. Sculpting is my all-time favourite hobby. If I could describe my design style in a song it would be “Where’s Your Head At” by Basement Jaxx. It’s colourful, sketchy, and illustrative. My room is adorned with Lady Gaga, Bauhaus, and Trainspotting posters, if that gives you an idea of my personality. I had an extremely vivid imagination when I was younger, always curating intricate, ongoing playtime storylines and transforming my Monster High Dolls. Design is my ‘adult’ application of my imagination.
What was the focus of your graduating project?
ABJECT is a collection of queer experiences across Aotearoa. Most of ABJECT is shot entirely on film, minus the ‘darkroom’ shots at the beginning and the covers. I wanted to capture the ‘spirit’ of the people I was photographing. While more finicky and expensive, film has character to it that I don’t think I would have been able to achieve with digital photography.
I approached six queer people and asked them two questions. “Did growing up queer affect your self-perception?” or, “Did being queer affect your self-expression.” I gave the option to answer one, or both.
Aotearoa can be a very accepting country for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially regarding laws. However, after a few conversations with my queer friends and flatmates, I realised we all shared a common experience. We all had some comment, some experience related to being queer that affected how we saw ourselves as individuals. Family reactions, first loves, religion. Whether they were from ten years ago or high school, these experiences stuck with us well into adulthood. Many of us are only just beginning to dismantle their effect on us. On our style, our confidence, our gender…etc. With ABJECT, I wanted to start a conversation about how we can be more aware of our comments and actions.
Why did you choose to study design at Vic?
I’ve always enjoyed art and creative things. When I was younger I would make mini comic books and Blu Tac sculptures. Strangely enough, my original plan was to become an orthopaedic surgeon. Once I took Design in Year 12, that plan flew out the window. I had two wonderful design teachers in high school who really pushed me to continue my design study. I started with Media Design but switched to Communication Design after struggling through an animation class in first year. Just not my thing.
What did you enjoy most about the design programme?
My final Capstone class – definitely. Having complete freedom over a project was a first. Daunting initially, but so worthwhile.
Unexpectedly, I ended up taking an interest in typography during my degree. Typography II is second only to Capstone in terms of favourite classes. One of my favourite projects, ‘Barf Brewing’ was born in Typography II. Funnily, Typography I was one of my least favourite classes in second year. One lesson learnt; stick it out!
I’ve really honed my sculpting throughout my degree. At first, I didn’t want to include it in any formal projects. It was my special pastime, I wasn’t ready to receive any critique. ‘Mini Lili’ was the first sculpture of mine to leave the confines of my bedroom. My tutor at the time adored her, and she’s become one of my most successful projects. Second lesson learnt; share your work with the world! Critique is scary, but you don’t gain anything keeping it hidden away.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
It’s cliché. Work-life balance. Too many nights spent straining my eyes in front of my monitor, working deep into the night. It’s never worth it, the work you create in these hours is often subpar and you end up scrapping it in the morning anyway.
The other challenge was comparison. I haven’t quite overcome it completely, but I’m far better than I was in first year. Constantly comparing my work to my peers or work online chipped away at my confidence until I didn’t recognise any of my own work. It was a strange mixture of all the work I deemed ‘better’. Not only was it not authentic, I wasn’t proud of any of it. It felt unnatural and I could never replicate it long-term. I still find myself occasionally pinning my achievements against my classmates, but I remind myself it’s pointless. We’re all on different paths, no two will do the exact same thing. That’s the beauty of Design!
What inspired you to pick design as a career path?
Jim McKenzie’s ‘The Scarecrow’ sculpting timelapse video. I have a vivid memory of watching it on the family tablet in Year 8 and being utterly obsessed. This inspired me to make my first Blu Tac sculpture. Soon enough, Dad was driving me to Gordon Harris to purchase air-dry clay and small metal tools. That was the beginning of my sculptural obsession.
I also have to give credit to my Year 13 Design teacher, Mrs Harwood. Throughout Year 13 I worked on my COVID-19 video game. She was patient, dedicated, and genuinely invested in my growth as a young designer. Answering emails late at night regarding my newest drafts, helping me curate my scholarship application, even letting me nap in class when I had a creative block. She was always there to help me navigate this new subject. Beyond academic help, she gave me a sense of confidence in my ability to succeed in pursuing Design. I owe ABJECT to her. I genuinely don’t think I would be doing a design degree if she hadn’t been my teacher. If you’re seeing this Mrs Harwood – thank you!
Who is your favourite designer/artist/creative?
Jim McKenzie. His work was my first introduction to the creative industry. He’s also been my longest inspiration. From Year 8 Lili watching his YouTube stop-motions, to Graduate Lili following his work on LinkedIn, his creativity and skill is still a huge inspiration.
What piece in your portfolio are you most proud of?
ABJECT! It’s so personal to me, and exactly the format and style I’ve always wanted to do. It feels so satisfying to have a project I had complete creative control over. ABJECT represents my journey as a designer in terms of skills and personal growth.
What’s next for you?
ABJECT V2! Over the summer I’ll build up my portfolio more, and I’d love to revisit ABJECT and film photography while it’s fresh. I’ve also been creating small, portrait-lighter covers out of Sculpey clay. Over the summer I’d like to try selling them and receiving commissions. Ideally, they’ll end up on the lilidaviesdesign.com shop soon…
Most importantly, a small break. I’ll keep creating, but I’ll fix my sleep schedule first. Maybe travelling with my partner, maybe experimenting with another art form. I’ll figure it out as I go.
As for the far future, it’s my absolute dream to become an in-house designer at a craft beer brewery. Craft Beer cans are my all-time favourite form of design. You can always find me in the single-can beer section of the Willis Street Metro, taking pictures of my favourite cans. Who knows, maybe in a few years I’ll even revisit Barf Brewing as a real idea, not just a mock-up. If you see a Hazy Hangover IPA in the supermarket, you know whose it is!
Where can we see more of your work?
My Portfolio, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Or you can send me an email: lilirosedavies@gmail.com
