saskianicol.co With over 15 years of experience in the design industry, I bring a thoughtful, strategy-led approach to creative problem solving. Crafting well-considered solutions across brand, digital, print, and packaging platforms. My work is rooted in a strong conceptual foundation, combining visual clarity with a deep understanding of business and cultural context. My strengths lie in branding, publication, packaging design, digital media and web design, all underpinned by a love of language, storytelling, and systems thinking. I’m driven by the desire to create work that feels intelligent, intuitive, and engaging — work that not only looks good but communicates with purpose. Language, storytelling, and systems thinking are central to my process. I enjoy uncovering the nuances of a brief and shaping work that feels intelligent and intuitive. Outside of design, I stay connected to new music, film, art, and the evolving cultural landscape finding inspiration in the overlap of creativity, technology, and culture.…

Saskia Nicol

saskianicol.co With over 15 years of experience in the design industry, I bring a thoughtful, strategy-led approach to creative problem solving. Crafting well-considered solutions across brand, digital, print, and packaging platforms. My work is rooted in a strong conceptual foundation, combining visual clarity with a deep understanding of business and cultural context. My strengths lie in branding, publication, packaging design, digital media and web design, all underpinned by a love of language, storytelling, and systems thinking. I’m driven by the desire to create work that feels intelligent, intuitive, and engaging — work that not only looks good but communicates with purpose. Language, storytelling, and systems thinking are central to my process. I enjoy uncovering the nuances of a brief and shaping work that feels intelligent and intuitive. Outside of design, I stay connected to new music, film, art, and the evolving cultural landscape finding inspiration in the overlap of creativity, technology, and culture.…

Available to hire

saskianicol.co

With over 15 years of experience in the design industry, I bring a thoughtful, strategy-led approach to creative problem solving. Crafting well-considered solutions across brand, digital, print, and packaging platforms. My work is rooted in a strong conceptual foundation, combining visual clarity with a deep understanding of business and cultural context.

My strengths lie in branding, publication, packaging design, digital media and web design, all underpinned by a love of language, storytelling, and systems thinking. I’m driven by the desire to create work that feels intelligent, intuitive, and engaging — work that not only looks good but communicates with purpose.

Language, storytelling, and systems thinking are central to my process. I enjoy uncovering the nuances of a brief and shaping work that feels intelligent and intuitive. Outside of design, I stay connected to new music, film, art, and the evolving cultural landscape finding inspiration in the overlap of creativity, technology, and culture.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Lead Designer
January 1, 2022 - Present
Delivering high-quality creative solutions across print and digital channels, aligning with business goals and customer needs, while acting as a brand guardian to reinforce the masterbrand. Leads a team of in-house designers and collaborates with cross-functional teams, mentors junior designers, contributes to ideation and reviews, and ensures design standards are upheld to enhance customer experience and brand perception in Aotearoa and globally.
Senior Freelance Designer
December 1, 2016 - January 1, 2022
Brand design and brand roll-out across packaging, signage, VM, and digital platforms for a diverse range of industries. Briefing and directing external suppliers.
Senior Designer at Design by Bird
August 1, 2016 - December 1, 2016
Design and produce branding (print and digital); maintain quality checks; lead and assist in the growth of other team members; monitor and engage with industry trends; assist in social media strategies; write engaging copy and content; grow relationships with suppliers and clients.
Designer at Air New Zealand
November 1, 2014 - April 1, 2016
Develop strategic solutions that are on-brand, human-centered, and challenge the status quo; represent and guard the visual brand; create internal engagement through design.
Designer at Gravity Bureau
January 1, 2012 - November 1, 2014
Develop new creative concepts through research and innovation, taking into account cost, time, and the client’s business needs; manage client relationships and external suppliers; stay abreast of new technologies and production techniques.

Education

Bachelor of Design at Auckland University of Technology
January 11, 2030 - May 22, 2026

Qualifications

Best Awards – Bronze Pin
January 1, 2024 - May 22, 2026
Tūhono Awards, Air New Zealand
January 1, 2024 - May 22, 2026
Book Cover of the Year, Publishers Association of New Zealand
January 1, 2012 - May 22, 2026
Runner-up Designer of the Year, Publishers Association of New Zealand
January 1, 2012 - May 22, 2026
AUT Deans Award
January 1, 2006 - May 22, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Software & Internet
    Nooon Brand and Packaging

    Nooon is the brain child of bio chemist Adelle Rodera. A skincare range the uses ultra sonically extracted plants grown under Aoteroas sun. Using potent but minimalist ingredients she has created a range that embodies her philosophy for less is more. The packaging needed to reflect her ethos and we created a range that is aesthetically pleasing for any bathroom shelf and is suitable for refilling.

    https://www.twine.net/signin

    Air New Zealand Tūhono Awards Branding

    The central piece of the Tūhono Award is designed to move in a circular fashion from it’s anchor point. I created a look and feel derived from the general structure and movement of the award, informing the logotype and the behaviour of the motion graphics, whilst playing off the effect of a spotlight. I designed event branding, collateral, stills selection and commissioned motion graphics to Field of Play studio.

    https://www.twine.net/signin