Name: Paul Slater
Citizenship: British and New Zealand
Status: Married with three children and a pug
My wife Julia and I discovered our passion for adventure and travel in our early thirties, a spark that ignited nearly three decades ago. Since then, our journey has taken us across continents and cultures, shaping our lives in lasting ways. Our path led us from London to Italy and Hong Kong before we eventually found our home in New Zealand. Along the way we welcomed three children, each born on a different continent, something that still feels quietly extraordinary.
For the past 20 years New Zealand has been home. During that time we lived in Auckland, then Queenstown, and eventually returned north to settle again in the country’s largest city.
My professional journey has spanned more than three decades across three countries, working in newspapers, magazines and digital publishing as a Graphic Artist, Designer, Art Director and Creative Director. My work has appeared in publications including the Financial Times, Daily Mail, National Business Review, New Zealand Herald (including the Weekend Herald and Herald on Sunday), Rugby News, and Queenstown’s Mountain Scene.
Today I work as a Digital Design Specialist at NZME, focusing on interactive storytelling, motion graphics, visual explainers, illustration, and 3D modelling for editorial coverage. A key part of my role involves designing digital tools that help journalists communicate complex stories clearly and engagingly for online audiences, while exploring new formats for reader participation and subscription storytelling.
Across my career I have developed a deep appreciation for the power of visual storytelling and remain especially interested in the evolving relationship between design, technology and journalism. I am often the person asked in newsroom discussions: “How can we illustrate this?” , a question I still enjoy answering as much as I ever have.
Alongside my newsroom work, I maintain an active painting practice, specialising in portraiture. I also run a small pet portrait commission business producing both traditional and digital artworks. Working outside the newsroom keeps my drawing skills sharp and continues to influence how I approach character, texture and storytelling in my professional design work.
These remain exciting times in news media. I’m particularly motivated by the shift toward mobile-first storytelling and the opportunity to build new visual tools that help journalism connect more directly with readers.
I love telling stories. Whether through typography, illustration, motion graphics, or interactive experiences, I’m always looking for new ways to make complex ideas clearer, richer and more engaging.
Slates Design 