I’m a London-based graphic designer with a passion for creating eye-catching designs and providing creative solutions for clients across heritage, retail/fashion, NGOs, and government. I enjoy shaping brands, campaigns, and exhibitions with strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling, delivering work that resonates with diverse audiences. Some of my career highlights include producing marketing and graphic design for former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern; designing exhibition graphics for Te Papa; and growing Day Dreamer, my illustration and greeting card business. I thrive on hands-on projects that blend design, photography, and moving image to create engaging experiences.

Michael Steele

I’m a London-based graphic designer with a passion for creating eye-catching designs and providing creative solutions for clients across heritage, retail/fashion, NGOs, and government. I enjoy shaping brands, campaigns, and exhibitions with strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling, delivering work that resonates with diverse audiences. Some of my career highlights include producing marketing and graphic design for former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern; designing exhibition graphics for Te Papa; and growing Day Dreamer, my illustration and greeting card business. I thrive on hands-on projects that blend design, photography, and moving image to create engaging experiences.

Available to hire

I’m a London-based graphic designer with a passion for creating eye-catching designs and providing creative solutions for clients across heritage, retail/fashion, NGOs, and government. I enjoy shaping brands, campaigns, and exhibitions with strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling, delivering work that resonates with diverse audiences.

Some of my career highlights include producing marketing and graphic design for former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern; designing exhibition graphics for Te Papa; and growing Day Dreamer, my illustration and greeting card business. I thrive on hands-on projects that blend design, photography, and moving image to create engaging experiences.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer at Health and Care UK Ltd
June 1, 2024 - Present
Graphic designer for a London-based e-commerce company; responsibilities include creating website graphics for eighteen sites, email marketing campaigns, website front-end graphics, social media content, videography (filming and editing), and product photography.
Graphic Designer at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
June 1, 2022 - April 1, 2024
Graphic designer for New Zealand’s national heritage and archaeology agency; projects include bilingual book design, engaging campaigns, photography (headshots and events), interpretation and exhibition design, annual reports, bids, stationery, marketing and social media, and PowerPoint presentations.
Digital Marketing Specialist at Empire Skate, New Zealand
April 1, 2019 - June 1, 2022
Marketing campaign graphics, website maintenance and updates, social media assets and advertising, retail signage, product and lifestyle photography, digital and print advertisements, email direct mailers, filming and editing marketing videos, and product design for apparel.
Graphic Designer at New Zealand Labour Party & New Zealand Parliament
July 1, 2016 - April 1, 2019
Created nationwide marketing campaigns, billboards, stationery collateral, and office and car signage; contributed to Ardern’s Mt Albert by-election and 2017 election marketing, including billboards, social media graphics, and printed flyers.
Senior Creative Designer at Butterfly Twists, London
June 1, 2015 - June 1, 2016
Managing and mentoring a junior designer; brand development; campaigns and art direction.
Graphic Designer (Short term contract) at Orlebar Brown, London
March 1, 2015 - June 1, 2015
Social media assets; retail store graphics; marketing print material; digital advertising.
Graphic Designer at Publications UK, London
April 1, 2014 - March 1, 2015
Publication design; print advertising.
Graphic Designer at SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation), New Zealand
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2014
Fundraising and marketing design; print design (billboards, newsletters).
Graphic Designer & Marketing Assistant at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongawera
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2012
Exhibition graphics; stakeholder presentations.
Graphic Designer (Part-time) at The Dowse Art Museum & The Petone Settlers Museum, New Zealand
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2009
Part-time graphic design work for museums.

Education

Figma Intermediate short course at Media Training, London
January 1, 2026 - March 3, 2026
Figma Basics short course at Media Training, London
January 1, 2024 - March 3, 2026
Introduction to Vectorworks at University of Arts London
January 1, 2016 - March 3, 2026
Web Design Training Package HTML, CSS, integrating PHP, MySQL at Yoobee School of Design
January 1, 2013 - March 3, 2026
Natcoll Design Technology Short courses in InDesign, Dreamweaver, Adobe Acrobat at Natcoll
January 1, 2007 - March 3, 2026
Bachelor of Design Majoring in Graphic Design at Massey University, New Zealand
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2005

Qualifications

New Zealand Fundraising Excellence Award 2014 (Stop Factory Farming Campaign direct mail design)
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026

Industry Experience

Government, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education