Explore brand new design from Aotearoa New Zealand
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Through the Lens
Each month, we explore a new theme through imagery in partnership with Truestock, looking at how stock can support storytelling in ways that feel authentic, grounded, and relevant to life in Aotearoa. This month, we’re focusing on “Community & Connection“. There’s something powerful about imagery that captures people as they really are. Not staged beyond…
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Fresh From The Field: Hamilton Hotel – By Daymark
Daymark breathes new life into the Hamilton Hotel, balancing heritage, humour, and contemporary hospitality in a brand built for a new generation. The brief We were tasked with repositioning one of Waikato’s most significant landmarks: the 160 year old ‘Hamilton Hotel’. The building ceased to function as a hotel in 1980, so our brand strategy…
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Five Minutes with Chris Brunner
Members of Design Assembly make up a network of Friends working together to build a thriving design scene in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our ‘Five Minutes’ series profiles the breadth and depth of design practice in our network. Today we speak with our Friends Chris Brunner who currently works in an agency role at Digitas based…
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Last Chance to Enter the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards
The final extended deadline for the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards will close this Friday 8 May. Discover why recognition matters and how to put your best work forward. With just 5 days left until entries close – there is still time to enter the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards. The final extended deadline will…
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Fresh From The Field: Knead, Hot Cross Bun Packaging – By PERKS
Fresh from the oven and ready to carry home, PERKS creates a characteristic, and butter smooth packaging moment for Knead’s hot cross buns. The brief Knead is a much-loved neighbourhood café and bakery in Remuera, Auckland. For Easter, they needed packaging for their traditional hot cross bun six packs that felt elevated yet approachable, and…
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Fresh From The Field: Donovans Refresh – By Dow Goodfolk
Unwrap a little joy with this refresh for Donovans, where Dow Goodfolk brings a colourful new look to a much-loved finger licking treat. The brief Donovans began its life selling across duty-free stores and airport gifting shops and consequently had a very New Zealand souvenir gifting style aesthetic. Over these years the brand had launched…
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NZ Designer AI Survey
Design Assembly is taking a moment to pause and ask a simple question, where are designers in Aotearoa really at with AI? We would like to hear your honest thougts on this one. AI is showing up in different ways across creative practice. For some, it’s part of the daily workflow. For others, it’s something…
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Why Designers Enter: Inside the Australian Good Design Awards as Entries Close Soon
With entries for the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards closing soon, past winners share why entering matters – and how to put your best work forward. With less than a week to go, entries for the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards are closing soon – and the message from past winners is clear: entering is…
Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
Jun 03
Design Assembly Members Only Coffee Club | June | Pōneke
DA Coffee Club is a regular in-person gathering for DA Friend Members to catch up over coffee, share ideas, and connect with other designers and creatives. It’s a relaxed space to build your network, find inspiration, and maybe even meet your next collaborator or friend.
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Jun 03
Design Assembly Members Only Coffee Club | June | Ōtautahi
DA Coffee Club is a regular in-person gathering for DA Friend Members to catch up over coffee, share ideas, and connect with other designers and creatives. It’s a relaxed space to build your network, find inspiration, and maybe even meet your next collaborator or friend.
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Jun 03
Design Assembly Coffee Club | June | Coatesville | Free For All
DA Coffee Club is a regular in-person gathering for DA Friend Members to catch up over coffee, share ideas, and connect with other designers and creatives. It’s a relaxed space to build your network, find inspiration, and maybe even meet your next collaborator or friend.
— Coatesville
Jun 04
Design Assembly Members Only Coffee Club | June | Tāmaki Makaurau
DA Coffee Club is a regular in-person gathering for DA Friend Members to catch up over coffee, share ideas, and connect with other designers and creatives. It’s a relaxed space to build your network, find inspiration, and maybe even meet your next collaborator or friend.
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