I have spent 40 years as a graphic designer / illustrator in more traditional mode, also using Photoshop. My wife Susannah is a publishes author, also illustrator / cartoonist, expert at childrens stories as she is an art teacher for young children

Alan MacDonald

I have spent 40 years as a graphic designer / illustrator in more traditional mode, also using Photoshop. My wife Susannah is a publishes author, also illustrator / cartoonist, expert at childrens stories as she is an art teacher for young children

Available to hire

I have spent 40 years as a graphic designer / illustrator in more traditional mode, also using Photoshop. My wife Susannah is a publishes author, also illustrator / cartoonist, expert at childrens stories as she is an art teacher for young children

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Guest tutor / Art teaching at Lake House Arts Centre
January 1, 2012 - Present
Provided art teaching and weekend/short-format classes; supported ongoing adult and student programs.
Art Teacher / Tutor (Visual art classes) at Mairangi Arts Centre
January 1, 2012 - Present
Teaching art programs including after-school classes and adult life drawing, adult art and poetic writing, and watercolour classes.
Art Teaching / Tutor (after-school and adult classes) at Creative Minds; Mairangi Arts Centre; Lake House Arts; Carmel College; Selwyn College
January 1, 2012 - Present
Delivered and assisted art teaching for children and adults, including after-school art programmes, children’s art classes, adult life drawing, adult art and poetic writing classes, and watercolour classes. Provided guest classes and weekend instruction and supported students with disabilities as a tutor aid.
Art Practice (Exhibitions / Published Work) at Independent / Unitec Auckland (studies & exhibitions)
January 1, 2011 - Present
Developed and exhibited personal art practice; included joint and solo exhibitions, published articles/interviews and participated in art competitions and artist talks.
Adult Teaching (Art & Visual Arts) at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Part-time adult teaching alongside study; supported teaching activities aligned with adult learning and visual arts instruction.
Visual Artist / Art Practitioner at Self-employed / Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2026
Active art practice with graduation exhibition, joint exhibitions, artist talks, and multiple published articles and features. Exhibitions include Inkustrate-linked showings and collaborations with Susannah MacDonald; ongoing studio practice and teaching.
Study / Student (degree and teaching certificate) at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Completed full-time Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts and part-time Adult Teaching Certificate.
Student (Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts) / Adult Teaching studies at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Full-time study for Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts, and part-time adult teaching certificate.
Mentor (Adult Teaching Support for students with disabilities) at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2009
Assisted deaf, disabled, and learning-challenged students to attain degrees. Took on responsibilities such as preparing lecture notes, conducting research, composition, and editing, supporting student learning and academic completion.
Mentor / Career assistance (deaf, disabled, learning challenged students) at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2009
Mentored and assisted students to attain degrees. Took roles such as lecture notes, research, composition and editing.
Mentoring / Career assisting lecturer (Adult education support) at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2009
Mentored deaf, disabled, and learning-challenged students to attain degrees; contributed to lecture notes, research, composition, and editing.
Mentor (Degrees later in life / support roles) at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2009
Assisted deaf, disabled, and learning-challenged students to attain degrees. Responsibilities included preparing lecture notes, conducting research, supporting composition, and performing editing tasks to help students succeed in academic and creative work.
Mentor / Tutor / Education Facilitator at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2009
Mentored deaf, disabled and learning-challenged students to attain degrees; assisted with lecture notes, research, composition and editing.
Mentor at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2009
Assisted deaf, disabled, and learning-challenged students to attain degrees. Roles included taking lecture notes, research, composition, and editing.
Founder / Manager / Percussionist (Latin Jazz Band) at VoxNova Latin Jazz Band (+ 4 others)
January 1, 1995 - Present
Founder, manager, percussionist, and responsible for marketing and bookings. Produced many long-term residencies, events and prize-winning concerts.
Graphics / Illustrator at Genesis Design
January 1, 1995 - Present
Created design/illustration work for clients in Auckland.
Graphics / Illustrator at Think Design
January 1, 1995 - Present
Contributed graphics and illustration for a range of client outputs, including printed and promotional material.
Graphics / Illustrator at Roundhill’s Design Studio
January 1, 1995 - Present
Provided design and illustration support for client work out of an Auckland design studio.
Graphics / Illustrator at Immaculate Concepts (freelance)
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 2001
Freelance graphic and illustration services in Auckland, delivering a wide range of advertising, corporate identity, logos, and printed materials.
Founder / Manager / Percussionist (VoxNova Latin Jazz Band) at VoxNova Latin Jazz Band
January 1, 1995 - Present
Founder, manager, percussionist, marketing, bookings, and concert work. Achieved long-term residencies and prize-winning events and concerts.
Graphics / Illustrator (Design Department) at Immaculate Concepts (freelance)
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1999
Freelance design and illustration producing advertising, selling aids, logos, corporate identity, packaging, and cartoons.
Founder, Manager, Percussionist (VoxNova Latin Jazz Band) at VoxNova Latin Jazz Band (plus 4 others)
January 1, 1995 - Present
Founded and managed a Latin jazz band, handling percussion performance as well as marketing, bookings, and concerts. Produced many long-term residencies and events, including prize-winning performances and regular concert activity. Managed logistics and promotional activities to sustain performances and audience reach.
Founder, Manager, Percussionist at VoxNova Latin Jazz Band
January 1, 1995 - Present
Founded and managed the VoxNova Latin Jazz Band; performed, marketed, booked concerts and developed long-term residencies.
Founder / Manager / Percussionist at VoxNova Latin Jazz Band
January 1, 1995 - Present
Founder and manager of a Latin jazz ensemble; responsible for percussion performance, marketing, bookings, and concert organization. Numerous long-term residences, events, and prize-winning performances.
Script / Producer / Director / PR Liaison / Performer at PerformanceQuest 1 and 2 (Devonport Arts Festival; WW2 defense tunnels at North Head)
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
Produced community-based nighttime metaphysical comedy progress plays inside WW2 defense tunnels at North Head, Devonport with involvement from local community members and professional entertainers. Responsibilities included script, producing, directing, PR liaison, performer duties, and sponsorship acquisition.
Script / Producer / Director / PR liaison / Performer at Performa nce Quest 1 and 2 (Metaphysical Comedy Progress Plays) — Devonport Arts Festival
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1994
Community-based nighttime comedy progress performances inside WW2 defense tunnels at North Head, Devonport with involvement of ~200 locals and professional entertainers. Responsibilities included script, producing/directing, PR liaison, sponsorship acquisition and performance.
Producer / Director / PR Liaison / Performer (Performance Quest 1 and 2) at Performa nce Quest 1 and 2 (Metaphysical Comedy Progress Plays)
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
Community-based nighttime comedy progress performances in WW2 defense tunnels at North Head, Devonport with involvement of local community and professional entertainers. Roles included script, producer, director, PR liaison, sponsorship acquisition, and performance.
Script/Producer/Director/PR Liaison/Performer (Performance Quest) at Metaphysical Comedy Progress Plays (Performa nce Quest 1 and 2; Devonport Arts Festival)
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
Created community-based nighttime comedy progress performances inside WWII defense tunnels at North Head, Devonport with involvement of local participants and professional entertainers. Responsibilities included scripting, producing, directing, PR liaison, performer duties, and sponsorship acquisition.
Scriptwriter / Producer / Director / PR Liaison at Performance Quest 1 and 2 / Devonport Arts Festival
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1994
Community-based nighttime comedy progress performances inside WW2 defense tunnels at North Head, Devonport; involved up to 200 locals and professional entertainers.
Script Writer / Producer / Director / PR Liaison / Performer / Sponsorship Acquisition at PerformanceQuest 1 and 2
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
Metaphysical comedy progress plays performed at Devonport Arts Festival; involved in scriptwriting, production, direction, PR, and sponsorship.
Founder / Manager / Percussionist / Marketing / Bookings (VoxNova Latin Jazz Band) at VoxNova Latin Jazz Band (and 4 others)
January 1, 1987 - Present
Founder and manager with responsibility for percussion performance, marketing, bookings, and concerts. Delivered many long-term residences and events including prize-winning concerts.
Founder / PR / Stakeholder liaison / Sponsorship acquisition at Freedom Behind Rehabilitation Project (Stress Busters!)
January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1988
Formed organization to demonstrate the effectiveness of meditation as a rehabilitative tool for recidivist inmates, assess feasibility of teaching in a prison environment, and pursue government support. Included PR and stakeholder liaison and sponsorship acquisition.
Founder / PR / Stakeholder Liaison (Stress Busters! Freedom Behind Rehabilitation Project) at Freedom Behind Rehabilitation Project
January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1988
Founded a project demonstrating the effectiveness of meditation as rehabilitative tool for recidivist inmates; assessed practicality of teaching in prison environment; supported stakeholder liaison, PR, and sponsorship acquisition.
Founder, PR, Stakeholder Liaison, Sponsorship Acquisition at Freedom Behind Rehabilitation Project (Stress Busters!)
January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1988
Formed an organisation to demonstrate the effectiveness of meditation as a rehabilitative tool for recidivist inmates. Tested government support willingness and assessed practicality of teaching meditation in prison environment at Paremoremo Prison (Auckland), with concurrent PR, stakeholder liaison, and sponsorship acquisition.
Founder, PR Liaison, Sponsorship Acquisition at Freedom Behind Rehabilitation Project (Stress Busters!) Paremoremo Prison
January 1, 1987 - June 30, 1988
Formed organization to demonstrate the effectiveness of meditation as a rehabilitative tool for recidivist inmates; tested government support feasibility and feasibility of teaching in prison environments.
Founder / PR / Stakeholder Liaison / Sponsorship Acquisition at Freedom Behind Rehabilitation Project
January 1, 1987 - July 1, 1988
Formed a program to demonstrate meditation's rehabilitative effects for recidivist inmates and to secure government support and prison environment teaching feasibility.
Graphics / Illustrator at Evening Star Newspaper, Edmonds Neilson Public Relations, Cadbury Schweppes, Hudson Design, MindsEye Graphics, Television One Graphics Department, Immaculate Concepts (freelance), Roundhill’s Design Studio, Think Design, Genesis Design
January 1, 1971 - January 1, 2001
Created a wide range of printed and display materials including advertising selling aids, point-of-sale materials, manuals, annual reports, seminar graphics, video production, logos, corporate identity, packaging, and cartoons. Produced corporate and brand visuals and contributed to graphic design deliverables across multiple clients and studios, including freelance illustration and design work.
Graphics / Illustrator at Television One Graphics Department
January 1, 1971 - Present
Worked within a television graphics department producing visual materials for broadcast/display uses.
Graphics / Illustrator at MindsEye Graphics
January 1, 1971 - Present
Created graphics and visual content in Auckland, supporting printed and display material production.
Graphics / Illustrator at Hudson Design
January 1, 1971 - Present
Delivered design and illustration work for clients in Dunedin, supporting advertising and promotional materials.
Graphics / Illustrator at Cadbury Schweppes
January 1, 1971 - Present
Produced graphics and illustration work for brand/marketing outputs as part of a corporate environment.
Graphics / Illustrator at Edmonds Neilson Public Relations
January 1, 1971 - Present
Created visual material for PR and communications in Auckland, supporting client-facing printed and display needs.
Graphics / Illustrator at Evening Star Newspaper
January 1, 1971 - Present
Graphics and illustration role at a Dunedin newspaper, contributing to printed materials and visual content.
Graphics / Illustrator at Evening Star Newspaper (Dunedin), Edmonds Neilson Public Relations (Auckland), Cadbury Schweppes (Hudson Design), MindsEye Graphics (Auckland), Television One Graphics Department (Dunedin), Immaculate Concepts (freelance) (Auckland), Roundhill’s Design St
January 1, 1971 - January 1, 2001
Created a wide range of printed and display graphics and illustrations across advertising and corporate work, including advertising selling aids, point of sale material, manuals, annual reports, seminar graphics, video production materials, logos, corporate identity, packaging, and cartoons. Produced assets in common presentation/office and design workflows (e.g., Microsoft Office/Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop), supporting campaigns and client brand requirements.
Graphic Designer / Illustrator at Various organisations (Evening Star Newspaper, Edmonds Neilson Public Relations, Cadbury Schweppes, Hudson Design, MindsEye Graphics, Television One Graphics Department, Immaculate Concepts (freelance), Roundhill’s Design Studio, Think Design, Genesis Des
January 1, 1971 - December 31, 2001
Graphic designer and illustrator with a long-standing track record across print, branding, packaging, corporate identity and display materials for a range of clients including newspapers and television graphics.
Graphic Designer / Illustrator at Evening Star Newspaper; Edmonds Neilson Public Relations; Cadbury Schweppes; Hudson Design; MindsEye Graphics; Television One Graphics Department; Immaculate Concepts (freelance); Roundhill’s Design Studio; Think Design; Genesis Design; Immaculate Concept
January 1, 1971 - January 1, 2001
Graphic design and illustration for print, display materials, branding, packaging, logos, cartoons, annual reports, and project graphics across multiple Auckland and Dunedin-based studios and freelance engagements.

Education

Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts at Unitec Institute of Technology
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
at AUT, Auckland (deferred)
January 11, 2030 - June 19, 2026
Bachelor of Education at Unitec
January 1, 1971 - July 21, 2026
Bachelor of Visual Arts Degree at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
AUT Auckland (deferred) at AUT Auckland
January 11, 2030 - July 21, 2026
Adult Teaching Certificate at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Bachelor of Education at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 1971 - January 1, 1971
Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
AUT Auckland (deferred) at AUT Auckland
January 11, 2030 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Education at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 1971 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2014 - July 26, 2026
AUT, Auckland (deferred) at AUT, Auckland
January 11, 2030 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts at Unitec
January 1, 2011 - July 26, 2026
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning at Unitec
January 1, 2014 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts Degree at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Adult Teaching Certificate at Unitec Auckland
January 1, 2011 - July 26, 2026

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Design and Visual Arts
April 8, 2026 - April 8, 2026
Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Education
January 1, 1971 - December 31, 1971
Bachelor of Visual Arts
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Bachelor of Education
January 1, 1971 - July 21, 2026
Bachelor of Visual Arts Degree
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Unitec)
January 1, 2011 - July 26, 2026
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning (Unitec)
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Education
January 1, 1971 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts Degree (Full Time)
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Adult Teaching Certificate (Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning)
January 1, 2014 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts
January 1, 2011 - July 26, 2026
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning
January 1, 2014 - July 26, 2026
Bachelor of Design & Visual Arts Degree
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Adult Teaching Certificate
January 1, 2011 - July 26, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Non-Profit Organization