Manager + Producer + Designer

Hello, I’m Elise. I’m a values-driven designer, project manager and creative producer who lives and works on Gunaikurnai Country in Gippsland.

I currently work for not-for-profit arts organisation Next Wave, based in Narrm. In my role as General Manager, I’m responsible for the financial, reporting, policy, HR, and operational aspects of the organisation, along with overseeing the management and venue hiring of the Brunswick Mechanics Institute.

Prior to Next Wave, I worked with the team at Iscariot Media (IM), a 100% Aboriginal-owned creative and training agency. As Senior Operations/Project Manager at IM, I wore so many hats; from general operations and business development to creative production to accounting and finance management to team management. No two days were ever the same.

For the past 14 years, I’ve designed and produced creative projects for social enterprises, small businesses, councils, universities and Government departments alike.

I learnt the magic of supporting local through mum, who taught Small Business Management at TAFE. Together, we’ve always supported other small businesses and organisations. With Dutch heritage on my side, I’ve been blessed (or cursed) with a supernatural drive to get. things. done.

But overall, I’ve always been drawn to people who spend their time and energy helping others.

Within my own small business, I love helping my clients streamline their processes, so they can get off Canva and back to the important things. Like saving the world.

Over 14 years experience designing programs, events and brands for small businesses and Government agencies alike.

2024

General Manager at Next Wave, a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to early-career artist development and experimentation.

Senior Operations/Project Manager at Iscariot Media, a full service Indigenous-owned creative, digital and training agency.

NBBB, ongoing branding for a beauty salon with values on affordable and welcoming service.

Studio 22 Interior Design, bookwork and ongoing branding for an interior design, renovations and styling business.

OB Plumbing, ongoing branding for an earthworks and plumbing contractor.

2023

Senior Operations/Project Manager at Iscariot Media, a full service Indigenous-owned creative, digital and training agency.

NBBB, ongoing branding for a beauty salon with values on affordable and welcoming service.

Evolve, brand and website redesign for Evolve who are leaders in the Web3 marketing space.

OB Plumbing, ongoing branding for an earthworks and plumbing contractor.

Studio 22 Interior Design, ongoing branding for an interior design, renovations and styling business.

2022

Project Manager and Graphic Designer at Iscariot Media, a full service Indigenous-owned creative, digital and training agency based in Brisbane.

NBBB, ongoing branding for a beauty salon with values on affordable and welcoming service.

OB Plumbing, ongoing branding for an earthworks and plumbing contractor.

Reframe Coaching, ongoing branding for an inclusive PT and health consultancy.

2021

Designer (Consultant) at Iscariot Media, a full service Indigenous creative, digital and training agency based in Brisbane.

Designer (Consultant) at Start Factory, a marketing agency for small businesses based in Albion.

General Manager and Designer (Consultant) at ASMBLY based in Noosa (until June 2021).

Reframe Coaching, full service business set up and branding for a Brisbane based PT and holistic health business specialising in inclusive and informed healthcare for people of all ages.

2020

Graphic Designer and Project Manager at ASMBLY, based on the Sunshine Coast.

Graphic Designer at The Binding, a design and branding studio located at the Gold Coast, specialising in branding and visual communication.

Project Manager at Lubi Co. working on the exhibition Visible: to be discovered at 3 Festival in June 2020 (From 2019 - Mar 2020).

Freelance Graphic Designer at Iscariot Media and Start Factory.

Core Bodywork, full service branding for a Brisbane based remedial massage business specialising in effective and comprehensive healthcare.

2019

Graphic Designer at The Binding, a design and branding studio located at the Gold Coast, specialising in branding and visual communication.

Graphic Designer at Maryon’s on James St, Fortitude Valley, working on the design, development, and launch of their e-commerce website.

Social Media Coordinator for 3 Festival, coordinating and designing collateral for the roll-out of their social media

Social Media Coordinator for Brisbane street artist, Thcat

2018

Design Assistant at The Binding, a graphic design and branding studio located at the Sunshine Coast, specialising in branding and visual communication.

Production Assistant at davisthomas, on the production of their large scale public artwork, installed at Buranda busway.

Graphic Designer at davisthomas, lead designer of the graphics for 'Furling', davisthomas' installation at Mary St, Brisbane.

Light Bowl Studios, branding for a Brisbane based creative studio specialising in ceramics and photography.

Create Ed, branding for an educator specialising in cross disciplinary creative education workshops, seminars and projects.

Samantha Ogilvie, website refresh for the Samantha Ogilvie boutique on James St, Fortitude Valley.

2017

Creative Producer - Public Programs at Adderton: house & heart of mercy

Jacina Leong, strategic branding for a personal freelance consultancy based on trans-disciplinary collaboration and dynamism.

Physics Observatory Holiday Program, a free physics based engagement program for children and families - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology.

Critical Connections, a symposium focused on inter disciplinary practices for educators and researchers - QUT The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

SHAPE of Things to Come; 10 Year Anniversary Publication, an ebook celebrating the 10 year history of the SHAPE of Things to Come exhibition program - Queensland University of Technology

FIRST LEGO League, co-director of the 2016 FIRST LEGO League Robotics Competition - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

A Conversation with Sphero's Ian Bernstein, a professional development event for educators and students - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology.

2016

Education Program, a STEAM based hands-on education program for schools and educators - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

Easter & Winter Holiday Programs, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) based holiday programs from children aged 8 - 12 - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

Experimenta: Recharge, a multimedia based exhibitions showing works from cutting edge National and International multimedia artists - Creative Industries Precinct, Queensland University of Technology

LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 Australia Launch, official launch event - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

JP & Nelly: Cook, Eat, Love, brand strategy and identity for an emerging food and lifestyle business.

Studio 22 Interior Design, website for Sunshine Coast based interior design and styling business.

Bowerbird Creative, a rebrand for an innovative education and training based company.

2015

FIRST LEGO League, co-director of the 2015 FIRST LEGO League Robotics Competition - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology.

Creative Lab, a two day STEAM focused symposium for educators and students - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology. Watch the Creative Lab video here.

September Holiday Program, a two weeks STEAM holiday program for children aged 8 - 16 - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

Off the Shelf Part 1: littlebits, a 6 week engagement program using littleBits to prototype ideas based on design thinking at Watson Road State School - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology. Watch the video here.

Off the Shelf Part 2: Wearable Technology, a 6 week engagement program to encourage digital literacy for women aged 18 - 25 - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology. Watch the video here.

Robotronica, a free showcase for the whole family featuring the worlds best Robotics technology - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology

Peekaboo Hair & Makeup, brand identity for a boutique hair and makeup business.

Peach Industries, a brand identity for a cutting edge hair salon in Tasmania.

High Tide, a brand identity for a relaxed modern dining restaurant on the Sunshine Coast.

Patina Trading Co, a brand identity for an emerging electrical and homewares business.

2014

Education: Diploma of Graphic Design, TAFE QLD East Coast, Nambour

Exhibitions Co-ordinator for 2014 Graduates Graphic Design Showcase, TAFE QLD East Coast, Nambour

Resort Branding Award & Typography Poster Award, 2014 Graduates Graphic Design Showcase, TAFE QLD East Coast, Nambour

Studio 22 Interior Design, branding for Sunshine Coast based interior design and styling business

High Tide, a brand identity for a relaxed modern dining restaurant on the Sunshine Coast - Elise Wilkinson Graphic Design

The Design Conference (Intern), an arts and design conference featuring emerging, national and international speakers - The Design Conference, Maroochydore

2013

CubeVid, a fortnightly STEAM focused public screening program, made possible by collaborations with national and international leaders in STEAM video content - The Cube, Queensland University of Technology.

Placemaking Research Project, project investigating public engagement and placemaking opportunities for QUT Precincts - Queensland University of Technology.

SHAPE of Things to Come: 7UP, an exhibition celebrating the seven year history of the SHAPE program and featuring the work of SHAPE alumni practitioners and QUT graduates - Creative Industries Precinct, Queensland University of Technology. Watch the video.

2012

Shape of Things to Come: I'm Yours/Be Mine, an exhibition considering the nature of desire across relationships, objects, food or lifestyles. Curated with Rachael Parsons - Creative Industries Precinct, Queensland University of Technology.

Education: Bachelor of Creative Industries (Interdisciplinary). Graduated with Distinction. Queensland University of Technology.

Big Eye, an exhibition featuring works by contemporary Indigenous artists curated by CyberTribe Jenny Fraser & Lubi Thomas. Tour co-ordinator for statewide tour - Creative Industries Precinct, Queensland University of Technology.

2011

Machinima, a new media exhibition focusing on artwork created within game-like environments. Curated by Lubi Thomas - Creative Industries Precinct, Queensland University of Technology.

Machinima: Blurring the Realms of Cinema, an education and exhibition program for students at Queensland Academies of Creative Industries at Kelvin Grove.

Semiotics at Play, Assistant Curator for the exhibition held at the Tokyo Cool Downtown Media Festival, Tokyo

2010

Machinima, a new media exhibition focusing on artwork created within game-like environments. Curated by Lubi Thomas - Creative Industries Precinct, Queensland University of Technology

Machinima: Blurring the Realms of Cinema, an education and exhibition program for students at Queensland Academies of Creative Industries at Kelvin Grove.

Semiotics at Play, Assistant Curator for the exhibition held at the Tokyo Cool Downtown Media Festival, Tokyo

Let’s get your business looking good and running smoothly. I offer the following services to help you get there:

Brand Foundations:
- Brand Strategy
- Website Review

Brand Design:
- Logo Design
- Website Design (Squarespace)
- Biosite Design
- Copywriting
- Templating

System Design:
- System/Process Review
- System/Process Upgrades

Business Development:
- Grant writing & management
- Pricing Strategy
- Bookeeping

Tap here to book an appointment and let’s get started.

Need something else? Here’s a couple of businesses I highly recommend:

Best accountants ever: Third Space Accounting