
Practice areas:
Research
Consultation
Design
Areas of expertise:
Design Research for Sustainability
Co-Design
Life-Centred Design
Service Design
Communication Design
why &brown?
I believe in the power and potential of collaboration. When faced with increasingly gnarly issues—as organisations, communities, and humans—the only effective way to address them is through collaboration. Across sectors, disciplines, departments, and borders, you name it, we are stronger and create more valuable outcomes for all when we work together.
I've dedicated years to studying collaboration and I remain convinced it's more crucial now than ever. So, aside from a whimsical play on my name, &brown is a nod to the power of and.
Further, there is no one 'solution' to the 'wicked problems' we face. These complex, inter-connected, systemic issues comprising networks of relationships, typically require a multitude of solutions, and I believe that's how it should be. We do not always have to pick between one priority or another, one idea or another, one path or another, sometimes, finding the and is the best way to proceed. Hence, &brown.
Finally, despite being a solopreneur, I thrive as part of a team. Working closely with a diversity of people across disciplines in unusual contexts is a passion of mine.
Your next project could involve your team, the people you serve, &brown Design Research.

Ann Brown PhD
Founder | Director
Design Researcher | Sustainability Catalyst
+64(0)211655890
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Aotearoa New Zealand
who is behind &brown?
I have 17+ years of international experience in design and research. As a lifelong learner, I hold a BA in Product Design, an MA in Design for Sustainable Development, and a PhD in Nonprofit Strategy. I continually push myself to stay informed, recently completing a micro-credential in Leading Beyond Sustainability.
I've worked across industries and sectors from grassroots community activation to government social research, and luxury brand experience. I am an interdisciplinary collaborator and advocate for 'true' co-design. I strive to employ and foster life-centric design thinking capability.
I have a deep understanding of the vital role design plays in creating solutions in response to contemporary threats. My passion has evolved over time and I am currently focused on supporting change-makers to realise their agency to act for sustainability.
how do I prefer to work?
how I work
I am a mum, partner, daughter, sister, aunt, and a Design Researcher—these interwoven identities shape how I approach my work.
As the sole employee of &brown, I dedicate 20–25 hours per week as Director, Lead Design Researcher, Administrator, Advisor, the list goes on. Managing my time carefully ensures I provide bespoke, professional services with the integrity, rigour, and respect my collaborators expect and deserve.
availability
I’m typically available for meetings:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 09:15 - 14:45 (NZST)
I require notice to schedule or reschedule meetings, which can be done via [Calendly]. My availability is flexible with advance notice, and I value new connections. If I don’t respond immediately, please be patient—I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
communication preferences
I work on &brown projects during my office hours, which align with my son’s preschool schedule. While my availability will grow over time, here’s how I prefer to communicate at the moment:
Initial Contact: LinkedIn messages or emails are welcome, including 'out-of-the-blue' connections. Finding my tribe and building my network is very important to the work I do.
Work Discussions: I prefer in-person or phone conversations, followed by a summary email. To get my undivided attention, it’s best to call during my office hours.
Collaboration Tools: During projects, I use tools such as Slack, WhatsApp, Notion, and Miro, or I can adapt to your preferred tools.
what matters to me
I choose to work with values-driven changemakers (or those aspiring to be).
My work is guided by:
- Integrity: Authenticity, responsibility, accountability.
- Compassion: Love, empathy, and respect.
- Curiosity: Creativity and learning.
location
I’m based in Ōtautahi Christchurch and work on projects across New Zealand and globally, both in-person and remotely.
As tangata tiriti, I acknowledge Māori as tāngata whenua of Aotearoa and I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
pricing
I tailor fees based on the nature and value of the work, your business type, and your budget. Below are general guidelines:
Facilitation, Advisory, & Support
I provide strategic guidance, co-design facilitation, and capacity-building support to businesses, communities, and individuals committed to sustainability and positive change. Pricing varies based on organisation size and engagement complexity, as well as the scope and scale of the package of work:
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Businesses (20+ employees): $160 - $250/hour
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SMEs (under 20 employees): Starting at $120/hour
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Solo operators: $100 - $150/hour
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Community organisations: Starting from $60/hour for grassroots and non-profts, up $120/hour. Session-based pricing available, e.g. $200 for 4 x 15-minute on-line/drop-in sessions.
Consultation Services
For projects requiring deeper exploration or strategic consultation, I offer flexible rates based on the phase and scope of the work. This can include one-off sessions or longer-term engagements.
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Consultation on Specific Challenges: Priced per project stage or in time blocks, starting from $300/session.
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Complex Projects/Strategic Partnerships: A tailored proposal based on your unique needs and desired outcomes.
Training Services
I offer off-the-shelf and bespoke training solutions designed to equip your team with the skills and knowledge required to accelerate sustainability efforts and innovation.
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Off-the-Shelf Training (Remote): $1,500 per session (up to 3 hours of training)
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Off-the-Shelf Training (In-person): $2,000 per session (up to 3 hours of training)
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Bespoke Workshops/Training: Priced based on preparation, design, and delivery efforts, with a custom cost estimate provided after initial discussion.
Fractional Sustainability Catalyst
For organisations needing ongoing support and expertise, I offer fractional leadership as a Sustainability Catalyst. This model allows you to access high-level expertise without the full-time commitment.
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Corporate/Enterprise (50+ employees): $1,800/day (e.g., 6-month engagement: $54,000)
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Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs under 20 employees): $1,200/day (e.g., 6-month engagement: $36,000)
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Solo Operators/Startups: $800/day (e.g., 6-month engagement: $24,000)
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Community Organisations: Starting from $500/day (e.g., 6-month engagement: $15,000)
I typically charge in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) but am happy to accept payments in other currencies via credit card. I am a tax-registered business in New Zealand with an NZBN and IRD number.

experience
Aug 2020 -
March 2022 - May 2024
Sept 2021 - Mar 2022
Feb 2021 - Sept 2021
Nov 2020 - Sept 2021
Jun 2019 - Aug 2020
Jun 2019 - Aug 2020
Dec 2014 - Jul 2019
Dec 2014 - Jul 2019
Jan 2015 - Jul 2019
2015
2013 - 2015
2013 - 2015
2008 - 2012
2006 - 2007
2006 - 2007
2006 - 2007
&brown Design Research Limited
Founder Director | Sustainability Catalyst
Helping purpose-driven organisations deeply understand the people and systems they serve, ensuring the solutions we co-create respect and support all forms of life.
Unlock Innovation Limited
Co-Founder | Joint Director | Lead Design Researcher
Unlocking extraordinary talent and potential in New Zealand’s tech sector.
Focus: The value of neurodiverse talent to innovation processes.
Full-Time Parenting
Mum
Recalibration | Matrescence
The Green Lab (NZ)
Design Lead | Community Activation
Community co-design, design research, community activation, organisation and project strategy, communications, and project implementation.
Christchurch Environhub (NZ)
Design Lead | Community Activation
Strategy, community activation, communications, project implementation, and graphic/communication design.
Sustainable Ōtautahi Christchurch
Design Research | Executive Board Member
Communications planning and reporting, project planning and implementation.
Executive Board Member (2021-2022)
&brown Design Research Limited
Design Research | Taking time out in The Netherlands
Exploring the world of Dutch social design, service design, circular economy and Doughnut Economics, design for sustainability, and design futures.
University of Canterbury
Doctoral Candidate | Dept. of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Thesis: Navigating the Challenges of Change: Nonprofit–Business Collaboration from the Nonprofit Perspective.
Multi-case study involving collaborations across New Zealand.
University of Canterbury
Social Researcher | Creative Facilitator
Social research and facilitation roles across MBIE-funded resilience research, NZ Tertiary Student Social Enterprise Challenge, Teaching Assistant work and more. All contract work.
Resilient Organisations (ResOrgs)
Social / Design Researcher | Creative Facilitator
Resilient Organisations is a research and consulting group focused on helping organisations, industries and economies to thrive in any environment. It is also a social enterprise with an aim to maximise positive social impact.
100 Resilient Cities
Social Researcher
100 Resilient Cities is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century.
&brown Design Research Limited
Design Researcher
Worked with Dramatize CIC to create a holistic marketing strategy based on a community of interest model. Transformation was achieved through an ethnographic approach, co-design methods and applied systems thinking.
Claydon Reeves
Senior Designer | Project Manager | Mentor
Claydon Reeves is an award-winning design studio with over 50 years of combined experience in yacht, residential, automotive and furniture design.
Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD)
Interior Designer | Project Coordinator
RWD is a world-leading design studio, passionate about creating distinctive, tailor-made sailing and motor yacht interiors and exteriors that respond to clients’ aspirations with innovation, clarity, and vision.
CC-andpartners
Product & Furniture Designer
Architecture and industrial design studio.
Venezia Mestre, Italia
Minuteman Press
Graphic Design Lead
Design, marketing, and print franchise.
Todd Bracher
Furniture Designer
Work experience.