I’m Viv Walker, a formally trained graphic designer with a strong drawing and illustration practice. I’ve spent years in the design industry as an art director and designer, and I’ve moved into publishing my own and other people’s books. I enjoy depicting whimsy, visual allusions, humour and narrative, with a particular interest in the face and figure and animals, while I’m comfortable tackling a wide range of subjects. I publish under Swirld Books and offer self-publishing services. My work spans watercolour, collage and mixed media, and I also create digitally to enhance images or build visuals from scratch. I’ve illustrated several children’s picture books, including my first with Random House New Zealand, and I’ve written and illustrated at least one book. My latest illustrated book, The Lost Star of Featherston - A tale of a trail, was published in November 2025, reflecting my research-driven approach and ability to adapt styles.…

Viv Walker

I’m Viv Walker, a formally trained graphic designer with a strong drawing and illustration practice. I’ve spent years in the design industry as an art director and designer, and I’ve moved into publishing my own and other people’s books. I enjoy depicting whimsy, visual allusions, humour and narrative, with a particular interest in the face and figure and animals, while I’m comfortable tackling a wide range of subjects. I publish under Swirld Books and offer self-publishing services. My work spans watercolour, collage and mixed media, and I also create digitally to enhance images or build visuals from scratch. I’ve illustrated several children’s picture books, including my first with Random House New Zealand, and I’ve written and illustrated at least one book. My latest illustrated book, The Lost Star of Featherston - A tale of a trail, was published in November 2025, reflecting my research-driven approach and ability to adapt styles.…

Available to hire

I’m Viv Walker, a formally trained graphic designer with a strong drawing and illustration practice. I’ve spent years in the design industry as an art director and designer, and I’ve moved into publishing my own and other people’s books. I enjoy depicting whimsy, visual allusions, humour and narrative, with a particular interest in the face and figure and animals, while I’m comfortable tackling a wide range of subjects.

I publish under Swirld Books and offer self-publishing services. My work spans watercolour, collage and mixed media, and I also create digitally to enhance images or build visuals from scratch. I’ve illustrated several children’s picture books, including my first with Random House New Zealand, and I’ve written and illustrated at least one book. My latest illustrated book, The Lost Star of Featherston - A tale of a trail, was published in November 2025, reflecting my research-driven approach and ability to adapt styles.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic designer at Education resource centre, Masterton NZ
November 18, 2025 - Present
Creative director at Swirld Books
January 1, 2002 - Present
Publishing services for my own publications and for others. From manuscript to print - editing, design, layout and full project management.
Graphic designer at Education resource centre, Masterton NZ
January 1, 1995 - September 1, 1998
Designing educational resource materials for educators.
Freelance designer at self employed
January 1, 1992 - Present
Designed corporate identity branding - logos and other printed matter, copywriting and Illustration.
Art Director at Agenda communications
November 18, 1987 - January 1, 1992
Designed advertisements, promotional campaigns for a Wellington city magazine

Education

Foundation certificate in art - one year, pass with credit at Croydon College of Design and Technology, London, United Kingdom
September 1, 1978 - September 1, 1979
One year general art foundation course as a pre-requisite course prior to degree
Graphic Design degree BA (Hons) at Norwich School of Art (NUA) Norfolk, United Kingdom
September 1, 1981 - September 1, 1984
Three year degree focussing on graphic design. Norwich School of Art has a 1st choice college ranking in the British system.

Qualifications

First prize in townscape category in a painting exhibition
September 20, 2014 - September 20, 2014
An annually sponsored art exhibition with multiple award categories located in the Kapiti region on North Island, New Zealand.
Annual Coca cola royal easter New Zealand art show in Auckland - Merit award for artwork
April 22, 2016 - April 24, 2016
A large annual award show featuring multiple award categories

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Other
    Picture book titled 'The Lost star of Featherston - A tale of a trail'
    My role was as illustrator and designer - 32 page children's book based on a true character, featuring colonial New Zealand and one of the earliest observatories…
    Artwork for 'Fish out of Water' series
    Artwork one of five pieces for an exhibition, mixed media materials on recycled art cards…
    artwork of a 'Ruru' (New Zealand morepork Owl)
    Ink based artwork for a fund-raising exhibition for a national bird centre…
    artwork of 'Kaka' birds - titled Kaka circus
    idea was a concept artwork for a book…
    Artwork of an albatross - titled 'Ancient Mariner'
    to celebrate such a beautiful bird and create a dramatic landscape…
    Mural painting for comunity project to beautify telecommunications metal boxes
    called 'Lolly Landscape' reflecting the typical sweets find in the local dairy shop across New Zealand towns - but set in a rural NZ landscape. illustrator…

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