This event has been rescheduled to 5 June.

Autumn Conversations offers a warm, welcoming space to connect, learn, and spark conversation across our creative communities.

This season’s theme: Design & Discovery

Imagine having the freedom to play, create, and discover beyond client and commercial constraints. What can we learn about ourselves, our values, our passions, and our design practices through this kind of exploration?

Engaging in play and discovery outside of our daily work can spark new ideas, refine our craft, and even open doors to unexpected opportunities, career shifts, or personal growth, helping us shape our design journey.

Join us at the upcoming Autumn Conversations to hear from three designers in three different locations as they share the stories behind their side projects, hobbies, or community involvement that led to transformative discoveries.

Design Assembly Conversations are all about connecting people to people and people to ideas. The format for the evening will include talks from our featured speakers followed by a Q&A session. We look forward to seeing you there.

Featured Speakers:

Amul Topiwala | Amul Topiwala is first generation Gujarati from Tāmaki Makaurau. With over 5 years of experience as a commercial motion designer, Abhi’s creative practice has reconnected with an experimental approach. His recently completed Master of Design, looks into family history through the lens of a cultural writing practice know as Rangoli. Using this tradition as an entry point into visual symbols, food, identity, and belonging, his digital-rangoli serves as a unique way to interpret embodied knowledge. 

Kahira Shepherd | E ngā iwi e ngā reo e ngā kārangataha maha o ngā hau e whā, tēnei te mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. He uri tēnei nō ngā wai o Te Rotoiti  i kitea ai e Ihenga, arā ko Ngāti Pikiao te iwi. He hononga hoki ki te iwi o Ngāti Kahungunu. Ko Kahira Shepherd tōku ingoa.Tēnā tātou e te whānau, my name is Kahira and I am the founder and creative behind Toi Kahira. Drawing inspiration from my whakapapa/ lineage, different Māori Toi/ art and Te Taiao/ nature and all its resources, I love crafting and sharing unique narratives for every piece of work I am privileged to undertake. Empowered by the ancestral strength of my whakapapa, I made the choice to follow my passion for creativity. Toi Kahira was conceived to offer graphic design and creative solutions steeped in Māori storytelling and rich narratives. Currently based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, I’ve been fortunate to work across a wide range of projects — from Ministry reports and public signage to branding for small businesses, tertiary education campaigns, textile designs for esteemed Māori brands, and more. These days, I’m also part of the creative team at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. I’m really enjoying the balance between running my own small pakihi and collaborating with a team of talented designers, marketers, and publishing experts. It’s a space where I can bring my own creative flavour while continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to kaupapa that matter.

Gray Buchanan | Gray Buchanan is the Founder and Creative Director of Genre, an independent design practice specialising in brand identity. Originally from near Liverpool, UK, he has called Aotearoa New Zealand home for the past six years. Alongside his design work, he has also developed a passion for collage – both analogue and digital.

Ticket Prices:

Members: $20 (+GST and BF) with discount code

Non-Members: $45  (+GST and BF)

Thank you to our event sponsors:

https://www.bjball.co.nz/