Curriculum Vitae

Introduction

Hello! I’m Lauren O’Kell, a Senior Designer specialising in high-end, corporate and in-house design strategy, creative direction and brand management.

I bring a broad skill set across both fast-turnaround projects and large-scale campaigns, collaborating with diverse clients and cross-functional teams to deliver strategic, impactful design solutions. My work spans multiple industries and sectors, backed by strong technical expertise across a wide range of disciplines.

For a downloadable PDF version of my CV, please click here

Lauren O’Kell | 027 383 8010  | lau.okell@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/laurenokell

Employment History

Creative Designer  |  Federated Farmers of NZ  |  Feb 2024 - Present

Sole in-house creative at head office, leading the design strategy across the brand and rural sector at regional, national and government levels, including:

  • Directing a full company rebrand, delivering new brand guidelines, templates and collateral rollout across all mediums

  • Overseeing all visual assets across print, digital, and web advertising

  • Designing publications and policy documents presented in Parliament and issued as national press releases by the Prime Minister and associated ministers

  • Project-managing a complete redesign and rollout of a new website

  • Creating event collateral for major national and industry events and sponsorships.

Graphic Designer  |  Realty Group, Bayleys & EVES  |  Jul 2018 - Feb 2024

An in-house Head Office role designing for two market-leading, national brands, Bayleys and EVES:

  • Maintaining brand guidelines and overseeing company-wide execution

  • Developing and executing national brand and awareness campaigns

  • Designing personalised promotional branding for individual agents

  • Producing bespoke advertising campaigns for multi-million-dollar developments

  • Creating collateral for company events and sponsorships

  • Collaborating with agents, management, marketing, and administrators.

Brand Manager  |  Nicholas Meloni Property Group  |  Jul 2020 - Dec 2023

Independently contracted for EVES’ top agent, focusing on building and managing a strong, dual-aligned brand, including:

  • Leading a full rebrand from logo and brand identity to collateral rollout

  • Managing social media design, strategy and content creation

  • Developing campaign promotions across print, digital, landing pages, magazines, and out-of-home advertising to support lead generation.

Graphic Designer & Account Manager  |  Prime Design |  May 2017 - Jul 2018

A studio role in graphic design & client management, developing skills in:

  • Managing end-to-end production of a monthly community magazine, including ad booking, design pagination, proofing, printing and publishing

  • Strengthening client relationships through effective account management

  • Creating bespoke designs for local businesses, clients and community.

Graphic Designer & Photo Specialist  |  Artistic Print Place |  Jan 2016 - May 2017

Delivering design & photography services in a studio role, including:

  • Specialising in photo editing, retouching, restoration and manipulation

  • Providing design solutions for local businesses and community events

  • Designing and managing both the company website and social media.

Junior Designer  |  Web Studio, Calpe, Spain |  Jun - Dec 2015

An In-studio role on my OE, working with clients and developers, including:

  • Working on client design projects across multiple print & digital platforms

  • Designing front-end websites, blending creativity with technical execution.

Education

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology  |  Feb 2013 - Dec 2014

  • Diploma in Graphic Design completed on full academic Scholarship.

  • Graduated in the top 1% of my class

  • The Diploma in Design runs parallel to the first two years of Waikato University’s Bachelor of Design. I was accepted into the third year to complete the degree but deferred for my OE. On returning to NZ, I instead accepted a full-time design job.

Otumoetai College  |  Feb - Dec 2012

  • Excellence NCEA Level 2 Overall. Excellence in Art, Design and Graphics subjects

  • Awarded academic colours and top of class award for both Design and Graphics

  • Won the Overall Award for NZ Young Designer of the Year Competition.

  • Received the BOP Pacific Coast Scholarship in year 12 for tertiary design studies.

Gymnase Jean-Sturm; France  |  Apr - Oct 2010

  • I spent six months in Strasbourg, France studying as an exchange student.

Christchurch Girls High School  |  Jan 2009 - Dec 2011

  • Excellence in NCEA Level One Overall.

  • Excellence in Art, Design, Graphics & French subjects

Software Profficiency

Key Capabilities

Brand Development & Management

Full brand strategy to ongoing guardianship

Marketing Collateral

Designing across print, digital, and out-of-home mediums

Event Collateral

Creating assets for a range of events, charities and sponsorships

Web Design (UX / UI)

Designing front-end websites with developer collaboration

National Campaigns

Planning and delivering wide-reaching campaigns

Publications and Layout

Producing full magazines, documents, and editorial content

Production Oversight

Managing workflows from client liaison through to delivery

Multimedia Integration

Videography, photography, animation, HTML, and illustration

Qualities

Problem Solver

Solving challenges with creative solutions

Eye for detail

Delivering clean, detail-focused design solutions

Adaptable Thinker

Navigating change with ease and clarity

Insightful

Making informed, purposeful design decisions

Clear Communicator

Sharing ideas and leading with confidence

Self-Motivated

Leading and managing projects with initiative

Strategic & Efficient

Balancing big ideas with focused delivery

Curious & Evolving

Exploring ideas and staying ahead of trends.

A list of both character and employment references are available on request.