Semi-Permanent New Zealand will spark up winter with a stunning line-up of 15 international and local creatives headlining the two-day event spanning August 20-21 at the THE EDGE, Aotea Centre, Auckland.

Semi-Permanent New Zealand will spark up winter with a stunning line-up of 15 international and local creatives headlining the two-day event spanning August 20-21 at the THE EDGE, Aotea Centre, Auckland.

Now in its seventh year, the annual design symposium brings together speakers from a broad range of disciplines including graphic design, fashion, animation, illustration, motion graphics, typography, sound design, interactive and experiential marketing, fine art, music, product design and more.

New Zealand creative duo Karen Walker and Mikhail Gherman feature while father and son team Dick and Otis Frizzell round out the New Zealand line up.

The 2010 UK contingent features legendary graphic designer and film maker Storm Thorgerson, often referred to as the sixth member of Pink Floyd, and Storm will be joined by his collaborator Peter Curzon; Christopher Thomas Allen founder of multi-media company The Light Surgeons; creative interactive firm founder Nicolas Roope of Poke London; graphic designer and author Adrian Shaughnessy and sound designer Duncan Speakman of Subtlemob.

From the USA comes New York based illustrator and typographer Jessica Hische and motion graphics company Buck will feature Kiwi Gareth O’Brien and Orion Tait.

Pixar’s Andrew Gordon who has just finished production on Toy Story 3 will talk about his animation experience and German product designer Katrin Sonnleitner completes the line up.

Semi-Permanent is the only event of its type in Australasia. With sister events held in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, New Zealand organisers The Church describe it as “a global gathering of pure talent, new ideas, conversation and visual splendour”.

“This year’s line up is the biggest yet. Two ‘big days out’ for the creative industry with powerful talent, inspiration, fresh ideas and fantastic industry networking opportunities,” says event producer Anna Cameron of The Church.

“Anyone working or interested in creativity or design – from creatives to marketers – won’t want to miss out on this year’s event.”

Also launched is Semi-Opinionated, a social media site for the industry that invites participation from creatives, media and design commentators. A virtual soapbox to address industry colleagues, Semi-Opinionated encourages on-line debate and discussion.

All attendees receive the legendary Semi-Permanent goodie-bag worth over $100, which includes the international Semi-Permanent book and loads of other goodies. And there is also the associated side-events and wrap party, for those wanting to celebrate the whole Semi-Permanent experience.