2026 Hot New Things: Lucia Ko, 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 Lucia Ko who recently graduated from Victoria University of Wellington. Find out more about tertiary study options across Aotearoa New Zealand on our Design Schools page.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a student graduating in 2025 from Victoria University of Wellington and a designer with a strong interest in visual storytelling and emotional expression. My journey began with exploring how design can communicate feelings, ideas, and personal experiences beyond words. Over time, I experimented with illustration, photography, typography, and mixed media, learning how different visual languages can convey emotion and engage audiences. Recently, I completed my final capstone project for graduation, which allowed me to integrate these skills into a cohesive, personal, and conceptually-driven body of work.
What was the focus of your graduating project?
My graduating project, Turning Point, focused on exploring personal emotions through visual storytelling. It is a series of zines that translate three pivotal moments in my life into visual narratives, using a mix of illustration, photography, typography, and color to express complex emotional experiences. Each zine reflects a unique emotional arc, and together they create a cohesive exploration of growth, reflection, and self-understanding. This project allowed me to combine conceptual depth, personal expression, and professional execution, shaping me as a designer who values experimentation and emotional resonance. It represents a culmination of my learning and a stepping stone toward future creative work.
What did you choose to study at Victoria University of Wellington?
I chose Victoria University of Wellington because of its strong focus on creative practice and professional development in design. The university’s supportive environment, emphasis on critical thinking, and connection to the wider design community made it an ideal place to develop both my creative voice and professional skills.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
What I enjoyed most about the programme was its diversity of courses and creative approaches, which allowed me to explore a wide range of media and techniques. From illustration and photography to typography and experimental design, I had the freedom to experiment with different visual languages and discover which methods best communicated complex emotions and narratives.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
While using illustration, photography, typography, and mixed media allowed me to experiment and create unique visual narratives, it was also challenging because I had to learn new programs, tools, and techniques I had never used before. Managing different mediums while maintaining a cohesive style and concept required careful planning and a lot of trial and error.
Who (or what) inspired you to pick design as a career path?
My inspiration to pursue design as a career path came from a combination of personal curiosity and exposure to creative storytelling. From a young age, I was fascinated by how visuals whether in books, advertisements, or digital media could communicate complex emotions and ideas without words. I was particularly drawn to work that combined conceptual depth with emotional resonance, where design became a medium for personal expression and connection.
What is next for you?
Next, I hope to gain experience in the professional design field, applying the skills and creative approaches I have developed during my studies to real-world projects. I want to work in environments where I can contribute to meaningful, concept-driven design, while continuing to explore emotional storytelling and innovative visual communication.
In the longer term, I aspire to develop my own design brand, one that reflects my personal approach to storytelling, experimentation, and emotional expression. I aim to create work that resonates with audiences, challenges conventions, and combines multiple media and techniques to convey ideas and feelings in unique ways.
Where can we see more of your work?
Protfolio – https://luxycocoaf0fa.myportfolio.com/work
Email – lucy1004xd@gmail.com
Phone – 02108386578
Lucia Ko
