Digital Design Specialist
Designing interactive storytelling, newsroom tools, motion graphics and digital experiences that help journalists communicate complex stories across multiple platforms.
Paul Slater
CV
Turning complex ideas into engaging digital experiences
For more than three decades I've helped audiences understand complex information through editorial design, creative leadership and, more recently, digital storytelling. While the tools have changed dramatically over the years, the objective has remained the same: create work that informs, engages and endures.
Creative Director – Editorial
Responsible for the creative direction of editorial design across NZME's newspaper portfolio while leading the organisation's evolution towards richer digital storytelling.
- Led redesigns of The Herald on Sunday and refreshed The Weekend Herald and five NZME regional newspapers
- Launched and redesigned a number of newspaper inserted magazines
- Introduced new digital storytelling formats and workflows
- Developed interactive projects spanning sport, elections, entertainment and data journalism
- Mentored designers through a rapidly changing newsroom
Art Director
A prestigious, high-quality gloss magazine ranging from 100 to 140 pages in size. I was contracted in for four editions, in which time, I conducted a comprehensive redesign initiative.
Design Editor
I moved to New Zealand's South Island to lead the editorial design of Queenstown's award-winning community newspaper. Alongside editorial design, I expanded the role to include advertising, a complete website redesign and ongoing website maintenance.
- Editorial design and feature presentation
- Advertising design
- Website redesign and maintenance
- Contributed to an award-winning publication and website
Design Editor
Directed the visual identity of one of New Zealand's leading business publications, combining editorial design, illustration, infographics and feature presentation while helping broaden the publication's editorial offering.
- Refreshed the publication's editorial design
- Launched a new glossy flagship lifestyle magazine built around the NBR Rich List
- Launched several glossy, newspaper inserted magazines
- Expanded the use of infographics and illustration
- Worked closely with editorial leadership on weekly editions
Graphic Artist, Design Editor
I joined the Financial Times in London in 1998 as a Graphic Artist, creating editorial graphics, illustrations and page designs for one of the world's most respected newspapers. It was an environment where accuracy, clarity and visual restraint were held to exceptionally high standards, and it fundamentally shaped my approach to editorial design.
In 2003, I relocated to Hong Kong to become Design Editor, Asia, taking responsibility for all editorial design produced by the bureau. The role expanded well beyond newspaper production, encompassing everything from daily pages and ft.com to magazines, special reports and bespoke publications for readers across the Asia-Pacific region. Working across multiple editions, cultures and time zones demanded a collaborative approach and the ability to deliver consistently under tight daily deadlines.
Returning to London in 2006, I rejoined the Graphics Desk with a broader perspective and a greater emphasis on innovation. Alongside day-to-day editorial production, I continued developing new products and visual storytelling approaches inspired by the work undertaken during my time in Hong Kong. The experience of working in two global newsrooms gave me an international perspective that has continued to influence my work throughout my career.
Graphic Artist
Created hand-drawn infographics, editorial illustrations, portraits and political cartoons for newspapers across the developing world. Working to a weekly publishing deadline, the role developed my drawing skills, visual storytelling and ability to communicate ideas clearly, before digital design became the industry standard.
Moments That Shaped Me
The Friday Phone Call
Sometimes the biggest opportunities come without warning.
It was a Friday afternoon when the phone rang. Gemini News Service needed someone to start on Monday. The designer they'd hired hadn't worked out, and suddenly there was an opportunity I hadn't expected.
Fresh out of college, I had enthusiasm, a portfolio and a willingness to learn. I said yes.
Those first weeks were an intense introduction to newspaper publishing. Every illustration, infographic and portrait was drawn by hand, often against unforgiving weekly deadlines. There was no time to overthink or second-guess myself—you simply got on with the job.
Looking back, it was the perfect start to my career. It taught me that opportunities rarely arrive when you feel completely ready. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply say yes.
Saying 'Yes' to Hong Kong
Moving from London to Hong Kong wasn't simply a new job—it was a chance to help establish the Financial Times' design and graphics hub for Asia.
It meant launching new publications, working across international editions and leading a newsroom for the first time. It also reinforced something I've discovered throughout my career: the biggest opportunities usually begin with stepping outside your comfort zone.
In at the Deep End
While working for the Financial Times in Hong Kong, I was asked to travel to Shanghai to work with our International Financial News joint venture.
What I thought would be a meeting quickly turned into standing in front of a newsroom of around thirty journalists, giving an impromptu presentation with almost no preparation.
It was daunting, but it taught me another valuable lesson: confidence often comes after you begin, not before. I was later invited back, and the experience gave me the confidence to speak, present ideas and lead creative teams throughout the rest of my career.
Standing by My Principles
When ownership changed at one organisation, I was asked to report back on journalists rather than support them. It wasn't something I believed was right, so I chose to leave.
It wasn't an easy decision, but careers are shaped as much by the choices you don't make as the ones you do. Looking back, I'm still comfortable with that decision.
Starting Again
Learning never really stops.
After more than three decades in editorial design, it would have been easy to rely on the skills I'd already developed. Instead, I found myself drawn to something completely new: interactive storytelling.
I started teaching myself HTML, CSS and JavaScript, then explored data visualisation, motion design, Three.js, Blender and AI-assisted workflows. It reminded me what it feels like to be a beginner again—frustrating at times, but also incredibly rewarding.
The technology continues to evolve, and so do I. Every new skill becomes another way to help people understand complex stories, and another reminder that curiosity is one of the most valuable tools a designer can have.
Home
After years of moving countries, changing jobs and embracing new opportunities, one thing has remained constant: my wife, Julia.
Together we've built a life across three continents and raised three incredible children, each born on a different continent. Looking back, it's a reminder that while careers evolve, the people who share the journey matter most.
Skills
Creative
Creative Direction • Editorial Design • Information Design • Typography • Illustration • Motion Graphics
Digital
Adobe Creative Cloud • Figma • HTML • CSS • JavaScript • After Effects • Blender • Spline
Storytelling
Interactive Design • Data Visualisation • Information Architecture • UX Design • Prototyping • Data Journalism