Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Pākehā
Kā mihi maioha, ko Aoraki te māuka, ko Waitaki te awa, ko Tahu Potiki tōku tīpuna, ko Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu tōku iwi, kō Ngāti Waewae tōku hapu, nō Te Whanganui-a-Tara ahau, ko Neil Pardington tōku ingoa.
Professional Summary
With over 35 years experience as a designer, my career started as designer/photographer at the Sarjeant Art Gallery, Whanganui and exhibition/graphic designer at the National Art Gallery, Wellington. In 1989 I established Eyework Design to provide design services to the museums sector. In 2004 Eyework merged with Base Two where l worked as a company director and creative director until 2016. In 2017 I left Base Two to work in Neil Pardington Design. 
My portfolio spans the government, corporate and arts sectors – with experience ranging from brand strategy and design, annual reports and advertising, to exhibition and graphic design for prominent Aotearoa New Zealand art galleries and museums. I am of Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu and Pākehā descent and was a founding trustee of Paemanu Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Arts Trust. I am a graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, and the 2011 recipient of the Marti Friedlander Photography Award. In addition to my design work I am an exhibiting photographic artist (ongoing), and have also worked in film as a writer/director and producer at MAP Film Productions.
Professional Experience
Creative director 
Neil Pardington Design 2017–present
Design services for a diverse range of clients: government, iwi, museums & art galleries, publishers, and businesses
Deliver a wide range of services: Tohu/brand/identity, exhibition design, print design and social/digital marketing, book design, websites, environmental graphics and wayfinding, photography, print management
Working independently or leading a team of sub-contractors to deliver larger projects
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with client objectives and deadlines
Company director & creative director
Base Two 2004–2016
Company director, 4 partners, 12 staff
Leading a team of talented designers
Design lead on large projects
Creative direction of a diverse portfolio – advertising, tohu/brand/identity, exhibition design, print design and digital marketing, book design, websites, environmental graphics and wayfinding, photography, print management.
Client facing, fronting account/campaign pitches, strategic marketing leadership, relationship management
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with client objectives and deadlines
Company director & creative director
Eyework Design 1989–2004
Company director, 6 staff
Leading a team of talented designers
Creative direction of a diverse portfolio focused on the creative sector – advertising, tohu/brand/identity, exhibition design, print design, book design, environmental graphics and wayfinding, photography, print management.
Client facing, fronting account/campaign pitches, strategic marketing leadership, relationship management
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with client objectives and deadlines
Director
MAP Film Productions 
1990–2004
Partner in independent film company with Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt
Writing, directing, producing, shooting, editing short films (documentary/drama/dance)
Preparing applications for funding (Creative New Zealand & New Zealand Film Commission)
Management of New Zealand Film Commission short film POD – assisting applicants in script development, overseeing production of funded projects as executive producer
Curating, designing, delivering museum exhibitions (City Gallery Wellington, New Zealand Film Archive)
Producer of For Good – a feature film funded by the New Zealand Film Commission
Skills
• Company director
• Team leadership
• Art direction
• Tohu/brand/identity design 
• Creative strategy
• Website design
• Print and digital media
• Social media design and marketing
• Book design
• Typography
• Environmental graphics and wayfinding
• Photography
• Filmmaking – writer, producer, director, camera, editor
• Writing and presenting
• Project management
• Print management
• Design software: Adobe Creative Cloud, Sketchup, Layout, Glyphs
• Photography software: Capture 1, Helicon Focus
• General software: MS Word, MS Excel, Powerpoint, Fast Track Schedule
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts
University of Auckland
1984
Professional affiliations
Professional Member, Designers Institute of New Zealand
Paemanu Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Arts Trust (former trustee)
Awards & recognitions
Marti Friedlander Photography Award 2011 (recipient)
Brett Graham: Tai Moana Tai Tangata: Best Medium Exhibition Catalogue AAANZ Awards 2022, Toitanga (finalist), Best Awards 2023
Bouncy Castle: The Homely II: Editorial and books (finalist), Best Awards 2021
Bouncy Castle tohu: Small Brand Identity (finalist), Best Awards 2021
Kotahi Rau Pukapuka tohu: Small Brand Identity (finalist), Best Awards 2021
Pūkana tohu and exhibition: Toitanga (finalist), Best Awards 2020
Gordon Walters: New Vision: Best Large Exhibition Catalogue AAANZ Awards 2018
Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct Literary Trail: Environmental Graphics (bronze),
Best Awards 2018
Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial: Environmental Graphics (silver),
Best Awards 2017
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park: Environmental Graphics (finalist), Best Awards 2015
A Portrait of the Artist Tony Fomison 1971–1990: Editorial and books (finalist), Best Awards 2014
Kahu Ora – Living Cloaks: Toitanga (finalist), Best Awards 2012
The Pressure of Sunlight Falling: Fiona Pardington: Editorial and books (silver), Best Awards 2011
Andrew Drummond: Observation/Action/Reflection: Editorial and books (silver), Best Awards 2011
New Zealand Film: an illustrated history: Editorial and books (bronze), Best Awards 2011
The Vault: Neil Pardington: Editorial and books (bronze), Best Awards 2010
Hermes New Zealand tohu: Small Brand Identity (bronze), Best Awards 2010
For Good title sequence: Broadcast design graphics (category winner), Best Awards 2003
Contemporary New Zealand Photography: Best Book, Best Cover, NZ Book Council Design
Awards 2005, Editorial and books (silver), Best Awards 2005
Shane Cotton: Best Book, Best Cover, NZ Book Council Design Awards 2004
Parihaka: the art of passive resistance: Best Book, Best Typography, NZ Book Council Design Awards 2003
Loop: Designers Institute of New Zealand Stringer Award 2003
The Mouth and the Truth: Best Short Film, New Zealand Film Awards 1992
The Dig: Official selection ‘Un Certain Regard’, Cannes International Film Festival, 1992
There are many more awards from earlier years not shown
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