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ETHAN SHEAF

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.

LOCATION

Designer & Researcher based in Pōneke, Aotearoa

FOCUS

Indigenous storytelling, critical cartography, and digital world-building

STATUS

Currently working on mapping projects and data visualization

FILTER

└ Type

└ Topic

# NAME TYPE
01
Embodied Cartographies
Critical Cartography and Design Research
Embodied Cartographies serves as a digital repository and critical framework that unifies a diverse body of research into a singular framework.
02
Finding Kuku — Visual Mapping Project
PhotographyMappingCultural
A photographic journey retracing whakapapa through the East Cape, mapping personal and ancestral memory.
03
Mapping Human/Earth Systems — Data Visualization
DataResearchEnvironmental
Visualising the complex interrelations between people and environment using data-driven maps and diagrams.
04
Western Sahara — Phosphate Research
ResearchPolicyWeb
Investigating phosphate extraction, colonial histories, and indigenous rights in the Western Sahara region.
05
Google Warming — Digital Media Research
DigitalClimateResearch
Examining the role of digital platforms in shaping public understanding of climate change.
06
Saving Screen Time
DigitalResearchDesign
A research and design project exploring the relationship between digital consumption, attention, and wellbeing.
07
Tokotoko — Te Reo Language Learning Application
WebDesign
A playful, experimental approach to learning te reo Māori.
08
Iterate — Exhibition Design
Graphic DesignWeb DesignExhibition Design
A collaborative exhibition design exploring iterative processes in postgraduate design research and practice.
09
Collated_Frames — Visual Storytelling
VisualSequentialArt
Exploring narrative through sequential imagery and experimental visual composition.
10
KihiKihi — Installation Art
InstallationArtSpatial
An immersive spatial installation exploring the relationship between form, space, and materiality through experimental construction.
11
Empty Vessels — Video Installation
InstallationVideoArt
An immersive installation exploring space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.
12
Empty Vessels — Installation Art
InstallationSpatialArt
An immersive installation exploring space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.
13
The Dream Atlas — Mapping Project
MappingResearchVisual
A mapping project exploring dreams, memory, and spatial narratives through visual storytelling.
14
Pixaura — Digital Typography
TypographyDigital MediaCreative Coding
A series of works exploring the relationship between technology, typography, the grid, and communication.
15
He Rito — Brand Identity
BrandingDesignTypography
A brand identity for a Māori photography exhibition, creating a typographic and visual identity for the exhibition at Toi Poneke.

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.

Ethan Sheaf-Morrison Portrait

PROJECTS

01
Embodied Cartographies
Critical Cartography and Design Research

Embodied Cartographies serves as a digital repository and critical framework that unifies a diverse body of research into a singular framework.

02
Finding Kuku — Visual Mapping Project
PhotographyMappingCultural

A photographic journey retracing whakapapa through the East Cape, mapping personal and ancestral memory.

03
Mapping Human/Earth Systems — Data Visualization
DataResearchEnvironmental

Visualising the complex interrelations between people and environment using data-driven maps and diagrams.

04
Western Sahara — Phosphate Research
ResearchPolicyWeb

Investigating phosphate extraction, colonial histories, and indigenous rights in the Western Sahara region.

05
Google Warming — Digital Media Research
DigitalClimateResearch

Examining the role of digital platforms in shaping public understanding of climate change.

06
Saving Screen Time
DigitalResearchDesign

A research and design project exploring the relationship between digital consumption, attention, and wellbeing.

07
Tokotoko — Te Reo Language Learning Application
WebDesign

A playful, experimental approach to learning te reo Māori.

08
Iterate — Exhibition Design
Graphic DesignWeb DesignExhibition Design

A collaborative exhibition design exploring iterative processes in postgraduate design research and practice.

09
Collated_Frames — Visual Storytelling
VisualSequentialArt

Exploring narrative through sequential imagery and experimental visual composition.

10
KihiKihi — Installation Art
InstallationArtSpatial

An immersive spatial installation exploring the relationship between form, space, and materiality through experimental construction.

11
Empty Vessels — Video Installation
InstallationVideoArt

An immersive installation exploring space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.

12
Empty Vessels — Installation Art
InstallationSpatialArt

An immersive installation exploring space, sound, and the metaphor of the vessel.

13
The Dream Atlas — Mapping Project
MappingResearchVisual

A mapping project exploring dreams, memory, and spatial narratives through visual storytelling.

14
Pixaura — Digital Typography
TypographyDigital MediaCreative Coding

A series of works exploring the relationship between technology, typography, the grid, and communication.

15
He Rito — Brand Identity
BrandingDesignTypography

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.

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 with Distinction, 2024

Bachelor of Design Innovation, 2023