Hannah Souter: Her own imprint

Hannah Souter. Photo / Babiche Martens

Graphic designer Hannah Souter has worked with some of New Zealand's best young design talent, including Twenty-seven Names and D-Luxe as well as brands like fashion boutique Area 51, Dulux and the recently revamped Marbecks. She launched her own freelance design company, Hannah Design, last year. Previously based in Wellington, Souter recently moved to Auckland where she has continued her freelance work, including working on the

Moochi catalogue. And just like her graphic design aesthetic, her favourite things are simple and slick - she tells us more about them.

10 favourite things

Avroko design

Avroko is a design company based in New York. They did the super slick interiors of my favourite restaurant in New York, Public. Not only do they do hot interiors, they follow the job right through to the graphic design, creating a memorable experience in each of the spaces they design.

NZ fashion

I love to wear Twenty-seven names, Huffer, Zambesi and Moochi - they're all so easy to wear, and all their winter ranges are hot. I'm currently working on the Moochi catalogue and there are so many pretty pieces, I'm loving their beautiful shoes and bags.

Established & Sons Font Clock from Simon James Design

I saw this clock a few years ago and have had my eye on it ever since - it's my inner type-geek coming out. It's a flip calendar clock where the font for the day/week/month changes. One day I will have one in my house.

Candywhistle "Pedro" stools

I bought these stools from the guys at Candywhistle a couple of years ago as my dining table chairs and I love them. I'm normally pretty monochromatic in my interior choice but I went out on a limb with these and got the orange. I never get tired of them.

Jason Munn posters

Jason Munn is a designer from California who creates the simplest yet most effective screen-printed music posters for the likes of Beirut, The National and Beck. He had an exhibition in Wellington late last year and I was totally hooked. I was lucky enough to get one as a leaving pressie to start my collection. I plan on collecting many more.

Eames Chair

This is a classic but a goody - I've always loved the designs that Charles & Ray Eames do. I especially love this chair for the combination of the wood and leather and the comfort. A friend of mine has one and from the moment I sat in it I fell in love. It's now "my chair" when I visit.

D-Luxe jewellery

I love all of the ranges that D-Luxe has created over the years - I'm especially a fan of my dreamcatcher cocktail ring. Because these guys come from an interior background they bring a different dynamic to their collection each season. I love that their ranges are always beautifully constructed and so versatile you can wear them everyday.

iPhone

I finally got on the iPhone bandwagon last year after giving up on my old brick and it's changed my life. As with all my Mac gadgets, not only is it slick in the design and interface, it makes running my business from anywhere easier. I'm also a bit of a fan of the app store; my favourites at the moment are a photography app called "More Lomo" and a cute game called "Bird Strike". I never thought I'd get so addicted to a game.

Louise Hatton photography

Louise is a fashion photographer based in Wellington. She's only been in the game a few years and her work is constantly beautiful. She has a fantastic eye and captures the essence of the campaigns she's shooting every time. I've worked with her on the Twenty-seven names and D-Luxe campaigns in the past, and her shots are breathtaking.

Books

I'm always searching for new design books, sketch books and diaries; they are all inspiring - there is nothing quite like getting a new book. A book I recommend getting if you are planning on going out on your own as a designer is How To Be A Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul. A friend of mine gave it to me when I did and it's a refreshing book to reference and also comforting to know that even the most established international designers go through the same start-up processes and ups and downs that you do.