Illustration & Merchandise Design – Kei Te Pai Press
Client: Kei Te Pai Press, Auckland, NZ
Project Type: Social Impact Illustration & T-Shirt Design
Year: 2019
Commissioned by Kei Te Pai Press to illustrate poems written by Maori prisoners, transforming powerful written works into visual designs. The illustrations were screen-printed onto T-shirts, which were used as fundraisers to support prison abolition initiatives and amplify the voices of incarcerated Maori writers.
The project combined visual storytelling, typographic integration and culturally sensitive design approaches, centering on themes of identity, resistance and lived experience within the carceral system.
Key Contributions:
- Illustrated poem-based visuals that respected and elevated the tone and message of the writers
- Designed T-shirts as both wearable art and tools for social awareness
- Collaborated with Kei Te Pai Press to ensure cultural sensitivity and alignment with kaupapa Maori values
- Prepared artwork for screen printing and merchandise production
Typography
Merchandise Design
UX Design & Research
Illustration
