Designing thoughtful, impactful work that connects with people, communicates clearly, and brings ideas to life.

Kia ora, I’m Rachael, a passionate and versatile designer with experience spanning graphic design, branding, illustration, website design, and exhibition design.

With a degree in Visual Communication Design, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients to create thoughtful, engaging outputs that bring ideas to life and connect with audiences.

A woman with black hair, wearing an off-the-shoulder black top, sitting at a wooden table with a tablet, a notebook, a pen, and a glass of dark beverage, smiling at the camera.
A woman with tattoos wearing a black top, smiling while holding a Dalmatian puppy inside a house near a window.

I’m currently a remote Designer & Illustrator at StudioC Design. As their first full-time employee, I’ve had the chance to grow alongside the studio, contributing to a variety of projects and honing my skills.

Through StudioC I have had the pleasure of working with clients such as Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, Archives New Zealand, Environmental Defence Society, Forest & Bird, Upper Hutt and Hutt City Council and University of Otago to name a few.

Before joining StudioC, I worked as a freelance designer and completed a summer design internship at Sharieses after graduating with an honours degree in visual communication design.

In addition to my design expertise, I have experience working closely with clients to bring their creative visions to life—from initial concept through to final delivery.

I take pride in crafting designs that not only look great but serve a purpose—simplifying complex content, telling compelling stories, and creating consistent, effective brand identities. My approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and adaptable to the unique needs of each project.


Tools & skills: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Procreate, Articulate Rise 360, Articulate Storyline, Squarespace, Canva, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint).

Poster for the '81 Springbok Tour exhibition showing a protest scene with a man in a hard hat holding a sign that says 'Fight Racism'.
Educational signs and a small bird house among dense green foliage, with trees and shrubbery in the background, on a nature trail or park path.

First
Poster for TOHE, Exibition for the Exibition also designed by me, lead by Ngā Tonga Sound and Vision.

Second
CTA Signage for Ngā Manu’s Piki Perch

Work Experience

  • Graphic Designer & Illustrator
    2020 – Present

    • Managed projects from concept to delivery while building strong client relationships.

    • Delivered creative outputs across a variety of mediums, including print, exhibition design, signage, social media, and campaigns.

    • Worked on branding projects, website design, and provided support for other digital outputs, helping clients develop cohesive and engaging identities.

  • 2019 – 2021

    • Collaborated with clients on a range of projects, including graphic design, branding, and illustration.

    • Worked with independent clients and completed contracted work with Ocean Design, Typeface, Obvious and StudioC

  • November 2019 – February 2020

    • Assisted the senior designer with illustration and design outputs, contributing to a range of creative projects.

    • Gained hands-on experience in a fast-paced design environment, honing skills in collaboration and execution.

@rachaelt_design

Let’s connect!

✨So excited to share this one! I got to create the brand mark for Waiata Manu — Forest & Bird’s new series where each Bird of the Year gets its very own original waiata. How cool is that? The first track, Kārearea by Troy Kingi, is a
☀️ The sun’s has been shinning — which means it’s the perfect time for a new whānau adventure! If you haven’t been to Piki’s Perch at @nga.manu yet… gooo. You’ll love it. Follow Piki the kererū as he takes
Meet Zuri, Zara, and Zion — the wildest trio on their very first adventure! Leaping through jungles, playing hide and seek, and making every moment full of magic and mischief. Happy 1st birthday to my little explorer — the adventure is
Great design isn’t a solo act — it’s a team effort. I bring the skills and creativity, but your input is what shapes the final result. Here’s what helps me bring your vision to life: ✨ Tell me what you love ❌ Share what&rsqu
Next up: a custom tee for a Rotorua-based tractor mechanic 🚜 Designed for Volcanic Agriculture to wear on the job and hand out to clients 🤝 Max wanted something bold and practical, so we kept it simple: clean lines, chunky type, and a heavy-duty
Birds, bucket hats, and school pride. ⠀ Glenholme Primary School got in touch looking for native bird illustrations to represent each of their whānau groups — style-wise, they were after something similar to the chubby birds I created for Fore