Artist working across pūrākau Māori, motion graphics, and narrative illustration to create culturally grounded visual storytelling for education, broadcast, and community contexts.Daniel Allen
Visual Storyteller | Illustrator | Workshop Facilitator
Pūrākau Poster Series
Campaign-scale narrative poster
Project purpose
Created as part of a developing illustrated poster series translating pūrākau Māori into accessible contemporary visual storytelling formats.
Design thinking
The composition balances multiple emotional viewpoints within a single scene: the calm authority of Māui, the instability of the ocean environment, and the collective tension of the waka crew. Symbolic scale and gesture were used to guide the viewer through the narrative moment.
Visual system logic
Designed as part of a repeatable poster framework where each image captures a decisive mythic moment using consistent:
framing logic
symbolic gesture hierarchy
environmental storytelling
restrained colour structure
Relevance to campaign design
The series functions as a modular storytelling system that can extend across multiple outputs including prints, educational material and exhibition display.
Mau Rākau Series
Symbolic movement study set
Project purpose
A six-image illustration series exploring traditional mau rākau stance positions through simplified symbolic composition and tukutuku-inspired structural backgrounds.
Design thinking
Each stance was reduced to its essential movement structure while retaining cultural integrity. The background pattern system supports visual rhythm and creates continuity across the series.
Visual system logic
The series was designed as a cohesive modular set using:
consistent framing
restrained palette
repeated compositional structure
pattern-based background logic
Relevance to campaign design
The approach mirrors collection-based visual identity systems where multiple pieces must function both individually and as a unified set.
Rongoā Māori Illustration Series
Botanical knowledge illustration set
Project purpose
A botanical illustration series translating native rongoā plant knowledge into contemporary graphic forms influenced by both traditional symbolism and tattoo composition logic.
Design thinking
Each plant was illustrated using a restrained visual language intended to communicate both identification and cultural meaning while maintaining clarity across the series.
Visual system logic
The illustrations were created as a scalable set suitable for:
print formats
educational material
exhibition presentation
editorial adaptation
Relevance to campaign design
The series demonstrates the ability to develop a consistent visual language across multiple related subjects while maintaining recognisable structure and hierarchy.
Broadcast storyboard development
Sky TV production support
Project purpose
Produced storyboard sequences supporting television development projects, translating scripts into visual timing structures for production teams.
Design thinking
Focused on clarity, pacing and communication between departments rather than expressive illustration.
Visual system logic
Storyboard panels were structured to guide:
shot progression
camera movement
narrative rhythm
production planning decisions
Relevance to campaign design
This workflow directly supports campaign rollout environments where visual assets must communicate clearly across multiple collaborators and delivery platforms.
Community mural commission
public storytelling environment
Project purpose
Designed and delivered a large-scale mural translating local identity themes into an accessible public artwork environment.
Design thinking
The composition was structured for long-distance readability and layered viewing experience within a shared community space.
Visual system logic
The work required adapting visual hierarchy and colour structure for architectural scale and audience movement across the site.
Relevance to campaign design
Demonstrates experience adapting visual identity to environment-specific contexts while maintaining clarity and cohesion