Kia ora, I'm Ethan
I'm a designer and researcher based in Aotearoa New Zealand. My practice blends indigenous storytelling, critical cartography, and digital systems thinking to reimagine how we visualise land, data, and identity.
Designer & Developer based in Pōneke, Aotearoa
Indigenous storytelling, critical cartography, and digital world-building
Currently working on mapping projects and data visualization
Ethan Sheaf-Morrison is an independent designer, researcher, and developer based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Grounded in his Māori whakapapa (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), his work intersects indigenous storytelling, critical cartography, and digital world-building. He creates poetic, technically rigorous responses to social and environmental systems through data visualisation, mapping, and typographic experimentation. He has worked with university research centres, independent artists, and policy organisations on projects spanning from phosphate trade research to geospatial tools for community engagement.
EXPERIENCE
Teaching Fellow, Victoria University — 2025
Research Assistant, Victoria University — 2021–
Design Tutor, Victoria University — 2021–
Summer Research Scholar — 2022–2023
EDUCATION
Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University
Master of Design, 2024
Bachelor of Design Innovation, 2023
KIA ORA, I'M ETHAN
I'M A DESIGNER AND RESEARCHER BASED IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND. MY PRACTICE BLENDS INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING, CRITICAL CARTOGRAPHY, AND DIGITAL SYSTEMS THINKING TO REIMAGINE HOW WE VISUALISE LAND, DATA, AND IDENTITY.
PROJECTS
A photographic journey retracing whakapapa through the East Cape, mapping personal and ancestral memory.
Visualising the complex interrelations between people and environment using data-driven maps and diagrams.
Investigating phosphate extraction, colonial histories, and indigenous rights in the Western Sahara region.
Examining the role of digital platforms in shaping public understanding of climate change.
Examining the role of digital platforms in shaping public understanding of climate change.
Exploring narrative through sequential imagery and experimental visual composition.
A playful, experimental approach to web design inspired by brutalism and improvisation.
A playful, experimental approach to web design inspired by brutalism and improvisation.
An immersive installation exploring space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.
An immersive installation exploring space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.
Tools and graphics for making complex environmental data accessible through maps and visual storytelling.
A series of works exploring the relationship between space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.
A series of works exploring the relationship between technology, typography, the grid, and communication.
A brand identity for a Māori photography exhibition, creating a typographic and visual identity for the exhibition at Toi Poneke.
ABOUT
Ethan Sheaf-Morrison is an independent designer, researcher, and developer based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Grounded in his Māori whakapapa (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), his work intersects indigenous storytelling, critical cartography, and digital world-building. He creates poetic, technically rigorous responses to social and environmental systems through data visualisation, mapping, and typographic experimentation.
EXPERIENCE
Teaching Fellow, Victoria University — 2025
Research Assistant, Victoria University — 2021–
Design Tutor, Victoria University — 2021–
Summer Research Scholar — 2022–2023
EDUCATION
Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University
Master of Design, 2024
Bachelor of Design Innovation, 2023