Bio
Hamish Thompson has worked in graphic design for over 20 years. He holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from the
University of Canterbury (1975–78) and a Masters degree from the Basel School of Design in Switzerland
(1979–83), at that time headed by Armin Hofmann.
After graduating from the Basel School of Design, he taught design in the United States for ten years, guest teaching at such places as Arizona State University, Western Michigan University, Kent State University, and North Carolina State University. Returning to New Zealand in 1992, he worked as a designer for the National Library, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and for publisher Daphne Brasell Associates.
Since 2001 he has worked from his own design studio, and has specialised in identity and print communication. His clients have included the New Zealand Book Council, New Zealand Post, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the National Library of New Zealand, Mallinson Rendel Publishers, Huia Publishers, the National Preservation Office, the Parliamentary Counsel Office, Massey University, Victoria University, New Zealand School of Music, and Te Papa Press.
He has published two books: Paste Up – A Century of New Zealand Poster Art and Cover Up: The Art of the
Book Cover in New Zealand, both published by Random House New Zealand.