Meet Our Alumni: Unvarnished

Thursday 24th September 2026  |  5.30pm - 8pm

If you’re looking to change careers, advance your current industry skills, or simply want to connect with like-minded creatives, then join us for an evening of real stories and unvarnished truths from MDS alumni of our Graduate Studies and Postgraduate Design courses.

Network with alumni, faculty, industry representatives, and current students. Listen to lightning talks from alumni who are paving their way in the industry - Léon Bristow, Aarush David, and Meagan Bach; with a keynote from Thomas Darlow to kick start the conversation. Followed by an Ask Me Anything panel to gain some real unvarnished advice. 

And, if you’re keen, find out how further study with MDS could be the change you need.

RSVP to reserve your seat. Spaces are limited.

Schedule:

Please note: There is no onsite parking. View nearby carparks here or access bus service information here. 

Meet Our Speakers:

Andy Blood  |  MC

Industry Fellow and Senior Lecturer, Master of Design at MDS

Andy is a fearless creator, serial innovator, Amazon US Top 100 author, triple Cannes Grand Prix winner and former World’s Most Highly Awarded Creative Director. As Executive Producer of Meta’s award-winning documentary Losing Lena, he helped challenge gender bias in technology, with the campaign going on to win a Webby and become a finalist in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas. An Industry Fellow at Media Design School at Strayer, Andy is a sought-after speaker on creativity in the age of AI, appearing twice at SXSW Sydney in 2025 to explore why human creativity can’t be replaced by algorithms.

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn.

Thomas Darlow  |  Keynote Speaker

Executive Creative Director, Bad Magic; Graduate Diploma of Creative Advertising

Thomas Darlow is a multiple award-winning creative who’s worked in top agencies both here and in New York. During his time in America he was nominated for an Emmy, quoted by Obama, and was the mastermind behind Nike’s most successful ever show launch. Headhunted back to NZ by Colenso BBDO, he now runs his own indie agency Bad Magic. Read more…

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.

Léon Bristow  |  Guest Speaker

Art Director, Colenso BBDO; Graduate Diploma of Creative Advertising

Léon was recently featured in Forbes' 2026 30 Under 30 Asia list and was ranked #4 in the top 10 Best Art Directors in the World by Cannes Lions Talent Rankings. He’s worked at agencies in Barcelona and Auckland, currently working as an Art Director at Colenso BBDO, and is the Founder and Director of BEINGS, a unique casting agency. He graduated from the Graduate Diploma of Creative Advertising, earning a role in industry very soon after graduating. Read more…

Connect with Léon on LinkedIn.

Aarush David  |  Guest Speaker

Senior Designer, Designworks; Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies

Coming to New Zealand from India to study design was a leap into the unknown for Aarush David - but one that helped launch a highly successful creative career. Since graduating from the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies (Graphic Design) at MDS in 2015, Aarush has gone on to become a Senior Designer at Designworks, working on award-winning projects and experiential campaigns across New Zealand. Read more…

Connect with Aarush on LinkedIn.

Meagan Bach  |  Guest Speaker

Senior Graphic Designer, YoungShand; Master of Design

Meagan Bach has built a career that blends bold ideas, thoughtful design and a genuine love of making things that matter. After first graduating from AUT, she started her career in London, designing visuals for TV and events, to freelancing remotely around Central America and Portugal, then returning to Aotearoa in 2020 to continue freelance work and complete a Master of Design at MDS. Today, her work continues to explore how design can connect with people and create positive change, including her Master of Design project, Wāhine Health Hub.

Connect with Meagan on LinkedIn.