MAGAZINE SERIES
INSPIRING DESIGNERS
JOIN US IN OUR NEW
magazine series
Where we interview Inspiring Designers. First up is our Creative director. Lets delve into the inspiring journey of this designer and entrepreneur.
FEATURING
NGAHUIA
Crossman
world of
STEP INTO THE MAGICAL
Ngahiua Crossman, nestled within the charming embrace of Waikouaiti's old race course lies a visionary graphic designer and content creator. With an unwavering passion for her craft, she breathes life into every project she touches. Co-owning three businesses in this historic locale, she embraces collaboration, constantly pushing creative boundaries alongside her fellow innovators.
Humble beginnings
In 2014, I embarked on a new chapter, moving from Dunedin to Perth with my young family—a leap of faith into the unknown. Despite the initial uncertainty, I embraced the opportunity to immerse myself in creative projects, from DIY home renovations to styling wardrobes. Anything related to fashion and interiors, I was all over it.
My journey led me to collaborate closely with creatives and artists, recognising the rich tapestry of stories woven into their work. As I delved deeper into this world, I discovered my passion lay not in creating new designs, but in amplifying the voices of these talented individuals. This realisation birthed Inspiring Design & Co, at the time a PR company dedicated to highlighting the unique narratives behind events, editorials, wardrobes, and homes. Our mission when it started in 2015, was to celebrate the essence of each owner and creator, transforming spaces into reflections of their captivating stories through styling and creating editorial publications.
Ngahuia Crossman 2015
Raised in a family brimming with creative talent spanning across sculptures, painters, poets, and potters, art was ingrained in my DNA from the start. As a child, I found solace and inspiration in drawing, immersing myself in the art world alongside my grandparents. At the tender age of nine, I landed my first real job—creating the logo for my Kura Kaupapa, a design still in use to this day. That early foray into design ignited a passion that continues to shape my career journey.
After school, I pursued further education at Otago University, where I initially studied dance and arts for a year. However, my thirst for hands-on creativity led me to Polytechnic, where I delved into various forms of art. There, I studied textiles and design, exploring photography and fashion design along the way. Despite the array of disciplines I encountered, I still found myself unsure of my path—yet, one thing remained certain: my unwavering desire to express myself creatively.
Grandfather Studio paints 2013
Lisa Burns & Ngahuia Crossman 2015
After my first year in business I found myself navigating the challenges of single parenthood while juggling a full-time role as a stylist. Simultaneously, I was endeavoring to establish a business that would serve as a network for the creatives I had come to know.
As the founder of Inspiring Design, I embarked on a journey filled with creative collaborations and artistic endeavors. In 2015, I welcomed Lisa Burns, an expert in interiors, to enrich the business. The following years saw the addition of Gabriel Dumanon and Joel Pinto, who brought their unique flair as Editorial and Fashion Stylists.
Amidst these exciting developments, my styling adventures introduced me to countless creatives, allowing me to delve into editorials, events, and various artistic endeavors. This period was instrumental in building a network and navigating my path in the world of business, a journey for which I am truly grateful to every individual I had the pleasure of collaborating with.
Alongside these endeavors, I ventured into a career as a stylist for Politix Menswear, a role that provided invaluable experience and inspiration. It was during this time that the idea for our fashion label, "Just the Three of Us," began to take shape, with Gabriel and Joel by my side. While the fashion realm offered excitement, I soon realised that my true passion lay beyond the realm of tailoring and orchestrating shows.
Those years were a whirlwind of creativity, working alongside a diverse array of talents, each contributing their unique perspective. It was during this time that I found inspiration to pivot towards virtual lifestyle curation, shifting my focus towards collaborating with creatives in non-event spheres.
As life's journey unfolded, our paths diverged, leading us to embrace new adventures across the globe. Amidst the transitions, I found myself in Bali, contemplating how to navigate a career pivot and design concepts for others in a virtual landscape.
the journey
the journey
Ngahuia Crossman 2014
Bali unfolded before me like a treasure trove of unexpected delights—I fell deeply in love with its culture, cuisine, majestic oceans, lush forests, and towering mountains. It was a time of profound healing and rediscovery; a period where I learned to embrace love once more. With my new partner by my side, we embarked on a journey of self-exploration, seeking to unravel our dreams, aspirations, and the intricacies of blending our families.
In this enchanting island paradise, I delved into the realms of marketing, social media, and digital content creation. Armed with newfound skills and insights, I began teaching my Perth clients virtually, ushering in a new era of creative expression. I honed my abilities to cater to the same demographic in fashion and interiors, albeit on a higher plane—I crafted marketing content for boutique hotels, galleries, and emerging spaces. Alongside these endeavors, I immersed myself in the world of textiles and fabric, all while welcoming the arrival of my daugher into our lives.
Bali 2017 - 2019
Bali bliss
Balangan beach, bali 2017
These experiences became the bedrock of Inspiration shaping my vision of a life that harmonized the evolving needs of my family with my personal ambitions. It was a journey of profound self-discovery—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
As the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, we made the poignant decision to return home to New Zealand. Amidst the uncertainties, we received a delightful surprise—I discovered that I was expecting once again. And so, our family found itself navigating the tumultuous waters of lockdown, bound together by love, resilience, and the promise of new beginnings.
HOW DID YOU DEVELOP
your business?
From there, I swiftly learned to translate this branding across social media and web development, creating sales engines that not only performed but also captivated visually. My clientele expanded to encompass businesses needing databases, emails, and marketing engines to propel their brands forward. With the unwavering support of my partner and the enriching lifestyle we embraced, I focused and developed Inspiring Design into what it is today—a design agency not only building brands but also teaching others how to do the same.
From the beginning, I've been drawn to aesthetics, favoring the sleek allure of monochromatic palettes, particularly black and white. While I wouldn't claim an innate eye for design, I possess a knack for styling—adapting effortlessly to various briefs. Though I may not style editorials daily, my creative flair shines through the brands we cultivate and the websites we craft. Life in Bali was a transformative period where I turned my passion for styling into a virtual career. Catering to clients in fashion, interiors, and beyond, I quickly adapted, teaching myself graphic design, digital drawing, and the art of crafting compelling branding.
LOCKDOWN
shaped my business
Lockdown was unexpected, but it became a turning point for me and my career. It allowed me to refocus and set clearer goals. Returning to New Zealand, I dove back into styling while creating a new network and refining Inspiring Design's vision. Taking on board roles aligned with my values, I engaged with communities and government sectors, advocating for positive change. Inspiring Design evolved beyond service provision to become a conduit for dreams and community empowerment. In challenging times, our commitment to our clients' aspirations remains steadfast, driving us to innovate and inspire.
Harvey St Studios 2021
Ara Creative Studios 2022
In 2020, I found myself home in Dunedin, New Zealand, pregnant with my third child, just as the world was grinding to a halt due to COVID-19. Returning with a business that had no clients felt like starting from scratch once more, and that's precisely what my family and I did. We resettled in Waitati, near family, and established the first New Zealand studio on Harvey Street. Amidst welcoming a newborn, I propelled myself into growing our small business.
Settling into our new space, I found myself sharing it with Kerry Hodge, who seamlessly collaborated with me in capturing editorials for our website productions. Our partnership blossomed as we effortlessly worked alongside each other. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, we ran numerous workshops throughout the year.
Driven by the need for something new and exciting, I decided to merge forces with Kerry Hodge and launch Ara Creative Studios. It was precisely what I needed at that time—a venture that was both enjoyable and involved styling and content creation. Quickly, we expanded Ara Creative Studios into a platform that not only showcased our work but also taught other small businesses how to create compelling content.
This part-time endeavor, undertaken once a week, serves as the perfect respite from the daily grind of designing and computer work.
the journey
the journey
The inception of Ara Creative Studios was rooted in a noble aim: to impart the art of crafting visually captivating content tailored for social media marketing. Central to our mission was equipping individuals with the fundamental principles of creating on-brand material that resonates with their intended audience.
As our journey unfolded, our paths diverged, leading Kerry southward to Milton while our family faced the necessity of retrenchment to conserve resources for the development of my partner, Matua Kelly’s, business, U & I Industries.
Nonetheless, our commitment to our cause remains steadfast. We have adapted our operations, now primarily focusing on providing on-location training for small businesses in and around Dunedin. We have developed Ara Creative Studios to provide free resources for small businesses online anywhere in the world. We were proudly nominated last year for a KUMA Maori business awards.
Ara Creative Studio launched 2021
Though the Race Course hasn't witnessed the thunder of hooves for over a decades, its charm remains. Adjacent to a grandstand of yore, my aspiration is to revive its former glory. Overlooking the idyllic rural vista of Waikouaiti, this establishment swiftly became the nucleus of both our business and family life. With our children joining us after school, we've even established a kids' art studio, with plans to host drawing classes in our own mini grandstand.
My vision for the future is clear: to inspire others to pursue their dreams, particularly in the realm of design. If I can influence, encourage, and assist them along their journey, I would consider it an honor. We're launching exciting programs to teach web design, steering our company into an era of inspiration and education. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with local schools, imparting the basics of design and drawing, and illustrating how artistic passion can blossom into a fulfilling career.
Through this online magazine series, our goal is to uplift and motivate, showcasing the journeys of designers who inspire us. Everyone has a story, and some are truly remarkable.
In the whirlwind of 2023, our kitchen bench transformed into a bustling work hub, with our staff flowing in and out like a train station. Unexpectedly, we found ourselves relocating to the historic Waikouaiti Race Course - a move unplanned yet serendipitous, as it perfectly accommodates all our ventures.
Reflecting on my journey back to New Zealand, I sought to weave myself into the fabric of the community by joining three boards of trustees. These diverse organizations - Working Opportunities for Mental Health Trust, Te Hauora Whanau Services, and Big Steps Educare - not only resonated with me personally but also provided invaluable lessons in community needs and organizational dynamics, opening my eyes to the intricate workings of government funding and contracts. It was through this involvement that our path led us to the Race Course.
We now lease the iconic Steward Stand, a three-story building. The ground floor houses U & I Industries, while the second floor serves as the content studios for Ara Creative Studios. The topmost floor is designated for consulting rooms and our administrative team. A key administrator adeptly navigates across all three businesses, easing our management load.
Quote you live by
