5 minutes with… Siobhon Joe

Siobhon Joe is a designer who aspires to deliver high-quality thoughtful experiences that reach beyond aesthetics across digital and print platforms. We caught up with her to learn more about […]

5 years ago by

DA Workshop: Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design, 10th November, Wellington

Design Assembly welcomes back Johnson McKay from Fly to present this half-day Wellington workshop focussing on Māori Graphic Design.

Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design
Wellington 

$350 Professional / $250 Design Assembly Friend / $150 Design Assembly Student Friend
(Not a DA Friend? Details on how to sign up can be found here).

Book your tickets by clicking here.


As New Zealanders, we grow up with tikis and taniwhas, pukanas and chur bros, but not many of us know or understand the meanings behind these familiar icons of Kiwi-ness. The Māori culture and its rich visual narratives inspire our architecture, movies, products, brands and businesses, both at home and on the global stage. It also drives a growing market of products and services by Māori who wish to speak with their own authentic voice. This expanding inclusion of Māori cultural concepts in the mainstream will only accelerate as the world seeks increased diversity and authenticity.

As creatives, we work comfortably within a European concept of design thinking, language and modes of expression, but we sometimes feel nervous about how best to engage with Te Ao Maori — the Māori world. In this workshop, we will explore:

  • Why it is essential for the New Zealand creative community to have an understanding of Te Ao Māori.
  • How we can get over the fear of incorporating Māori art and concepts into our creative work.
  • How we can celebrate and express Māori concepts and art without the risk of cultural appropriation.
  • Key considerations when incorporating Māori concepts into your work.
  • Learnings from work being produced by Māori and non-Māori design studios and creatives around Aotearoa.

Led by Johnson McKay – Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Scotland.

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If you cancel your ticket more than 8 days ahead of the workshop, 100% of your ticket will be refunded. Within 7 days of the workshop, 50% of the ticket price will be refunded or you can transfer your ticket to another Design Assembly workshop within a year.

DA Workshop: Sales for non-sales people with Johnson McKay, Friday 8th September, Auckland

Design Assembly is delighted to bring back award-winning Creative Strategist, Johnson McKay from Fly for this one-day, client-focussed, business workshop in Auckland. Please note that this is a master class aimed at Creative Directors, […]

7 years ago by

DA Workshop: Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design, 19 May 2017, Auckland

Design Assembly welcomes back Johnson McKay from Fly to present this half-day Auckland workshop focussing on Maori Graphic Design.

Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design
Friday 19th May
9am–12.30pm
Studio One Toi Tu, Auckland

$350 Professional / $250 Design Assembly Friend (Not a DA Friend? Click here for details on how to sign up). 
$150 DA Student Friend (Not a DA Student Friend? Click here for details on how to sign up). 


Refreshments from Atomic Coffee and Serious Popcorn. Thanks Guys!


As New Zealanders, we grow up with tikis and taniwhas, pukanas and chur bros, but not many of us know or understand the meanings behind these familiar icons of Kiwi-ness. The Māori culture and its rich visual narratives inspire our architecture, movies, products, brands and businesses, both at home and on the global stage. It also drives a growing market of products and services by Māori who wish to speak with their own authentic voice. This expanding inclusion of Māori cultural concepts in the mainstream will only accelerate as the world seeks increased diversity and authenticity.

As creatives, we work comfortably within a European concept of design thinking, language and modes of expression, but we sometimes feel nervous about how best to engage with Te Ao Maori — the Maori world. In this workshop, we will explore:

  • Why it is essential for the New Zealand creative community to have an understanding of Te Ao Māori.
  • How we can get over the fear of incorporating Māori art and concepts into our creative work.
  • How we can celebrate and express Māori concepts and art without the risk of cultural appropriation.
  • Key considerations when incorporating Māori concepts into your work.
  • Learnings from work being produced by Māori and non-Māori design studios and creatives around Aotearoa.

Led by Johnson McKay – Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Scotland.

Eventbrite - Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design

DA Workshop: Creative Strategy with Johnson McKay, 24 February 2017, Auckland

Design Assembly is delighted to bring you award-winning Creative Strategist, Johnson McKay from Fly for this half-day creative strategies workshop in Auckland:

Creative Strategy
Friday 24th February
9am–12.30pm
Studio One Toi Tu, Auckland


Refreshments from Atomic Coffee and Serious Popcorn. Thanks Guys!


People are constantly bombarded with advertising overkill. As anti-advertising defence shields get more and more sophisticated, brands are looking for new ways to genuinely engage people. Learn how to develop strategic briefs and brainstorm strategic problems with creative solutions. Move past advertising and create genuinely engaging creative strategy.

Learning Outcomes:
– How to write strategic and creative briefs
– How to think divergently and assess the strength of ideas
– How to create brand loyalty in today’s anti-advertising generation
– How to design for an anti-advertising generation

Eventbrite - Creative Strategy with Johnson McKay

DA Workshop: Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design, 19 May 2017, Auckland

Design Assembly welcomes back Johnson McKay from Fly to present this half-day Auckland workshop focussing on Maori Graphic Design. Applying Design Thinking to creating Māori Graphic Design Friday 19th May 9am–12.30pm Studio […]

8 years ago by