Kyra Clarke

Specialized in Print Design.

Kyra Clarke

About Kyra Clarke

Our studio has a focus on client-based projects, as well as our ongoing international design project, Threaded magazine. We enjoy working closely with multi-stakeholder organisations (including NFP’s, SME’s, iwi and hapu) looking to activate and engage with local communities to create positive change.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Print Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Print
Te Po and Te Ao Marama Special Ed.21

Te Po and Te Ao Marama Special Ed.21

Print Design

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Interview with Kyra Clarke

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I have always loved the arts, enjoyed artistic pursuits and am by nature a creative thinker and maker. However, in my era becoming a 'designer' wasn't an established career path so I had my sights set on becoming an Architect when I was growing up.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Threaded was born off the backbone of Threaded magazine in 2007. We are a small, independent award-winning design studio based in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our studio has a focus on client-based projects, as well as our ongoing international design project, Threaded magazine. We enjoy working closely with multi-stakeholder organisations (including NFP’s, SME’s, iwi and hapū) looking to activate and engage with local communities to create positive change.
What is "design" for you?
The ability to visually organise components so they communicate messages, emotion or narratives at a base level.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The very first 'thing' I designed was not for a company but for a large collective of people. It was a logo, for my hapu 'Ngāti Hau' (a hapu is subtribe within Māori society who are all connected/ related through whakapapa/geneology.)
What makes a design successful?
When clients embrace them and they accurately and creatively represent their cause or purpose.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Well this depends if you are in an industry where you can make decisions on better outcomes for people and planet (i.e. for us in print - we ensure we select more sustainable inks, papers and embellishments, and are conscious of our carbon footprint when distributing our publication).
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I imagine the future of design moving towards a more AI generated (or influenced) online space.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Ed.21, the launch of Te Pō and Te Ao Mārama Special Edition in Auckland, New Zealand.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My children, environment and imagination. Although I find inspiration in creative blogs, books and magazines, I often find that inspiration doesn't occur 'on queue' so you need to save the things you find that excite ideas (as you find them) as one day they may fuel a creative project you never knew was coming your way.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I don't have just one aesthetic style, for each project I believe the creative output is determined by the objectives and tone of the messaging.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Aotearoa, New Zealand. My Māori culture and identity has had immense influence and impact on the way I approach design and also the types of clients I do design for.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Review their past projects and accolades. Ask what their creative process is and how they involve you in their process.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Collaboration is the key ingredient in our design process; clients actively participate and interact with our creative team through each design phase to ensure we understand and meet their creative needs.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
A carved bone broach (gifted to me by Master Carver Bernard Makoare), a kauri carved key (gifted to me on my 21st birthday by my whānau/family), a carved stone necklace (gifted to me by my whanaunga/cousin), an empty kauri snail shell (found in my ngahere/bush by my children) and my Dad's drawings/ artwork (he passed away when I was 8yrs old from cancer).
Who are some of your clients?
New Zealand Green Building Council, KiwiRail, Agrisea New Zealand, DB Breweries, Maketū Pies, Green Building Council of Australia.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I mostly work on my projects myself but the team can expand and contract as needed to suit the design outcomes required or the scale of the project.

Extended Interview with Kyra Clarke

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I hold a Bachelor of Visual Communication (Hons) majoring in Graphic Design.
How did you become a designer?
I was working at an Architecture firm and was involved in a logo design project. That was it for me! I applied to study Graphic Design at University and the rest is hostory.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Brand identities, publications, frameworks, websites. I do love designing for print. Especially specially printed collateral. I am a very tactile person so bringing designed things to life is quite an obsession of mine.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Never think you can't do something. Try, try and try again. Hard work pays off eventually.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Merit can be given on how clever it is, how beautiful it is or what story it tells. It is very subjective - much like art.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Because poorly designed collateral can give a bad impression and compromise a brand or company's core messaging and reputation.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
The whakapapa/geneology of Threaded. It's evolution from birth.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
To me the secret ingredient is always the people involved, they bring something unique to the project - whether it is ideas, skills or context. If you can harness this the project will always succeed.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I have a mix of artists and designers. An artist I recently discovered from NZ during the 60's-80's whose style is so timeless and evoking is Cliff Whiting (his piece Tangaroa) feels so modern, yet was done 42yrs ago (my whole lifetime ago!). Other design masters/Tohunga from here I draw inspiration from are Rangi Kipa, Carin Wilson & Bernard Makoare.
What is your biggest design work?
I have found myself gravitating towards Māori and indigenous designers more in these past 10 years. I find their story-telling techniques through motif and form so powerful, like an inherited super power passed down to them by their ancestors.
Who is your favourite designer?
At this moment I feel like Threaded Ed.21, the Te Pō and Tē Ao Mārama Issue is (https://www.threaded.co.nz/threaded-ed21). It incorporates visual, augmented, and sonic design queues to communicate very complex cultural narratives as holistic and integrated systems.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
If you fail, learn from those failings. Surround yourself with talented people. Share your creative challenges - we develop creative ideas better when not working in silos.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
It is my reason for getting up in the morning. It is a part of who I am and who I want to be.

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