$60 EARLY BIRD ENDS 22 OCTOBER
Join us in Christchurch for brunch, good company and practical tips for graphic designers
Where and when to join us
🕤 | 9:30am to 1:30pm |
📍 | The Ilex, Hagley Park, Christchurch |
📅 | Thursday 19 November 2026 |
➕ | Plus an optional afternoon session |
Why come to our Creative Freedom Brunch?
Creative Freedom Brunch brings graphic designers together to think about what creative freedom looks like for you. Maybe it's having more time or a bigger say over the work you take on. Perhaps it's the confidence to charge what you're worth, or getting to do work you're proud of, without the stress that often tags along with running your own show.
Whatever creative freedom looks like for you, you'll leave with fresh ideas, a few new friends and a clear sense of how to build more freedom into the way you work.
What’s included on the day
Seven steps to creative freedom
Jeremy Johnson, author of Creative Freedom, on the practical habits behind a freer, calmer and more profitable creative business.
A panel of designers
On what creative freedom really takes. They'll be diving into the wins, the hard lessons and the honest reality of running a design business.
Time to connect
Chat with other designers, because some of the best conversations you'll have about running a design business come from people already doing it.
Brunch and lunch Included
We'll keep you topped up with tasty food and coffee throughout the day, with the Christchurch Botanic Gardens outside.
Get your own copy of Creative Freedom
Creative Freedom is a 100+ page guide for running a graphic design business so you feel more in control, valued at $29.99.
A hands-on AI workshop
We've all seen the AI design slop. We’ll work together to create strategies to show the value that creatives bring vs. AI.
Speaker announcements coming soon!
What you'll take away
Every session is built to send you home with tools that make a real difference to a creative business, including:
Winning enough of the right work, so you're choosing clients rather than chasing them
Pricing with confidence, so your business funds the life you actually want
Staying in control of the client process, instead of letting it control you
Turning the tricky moments, feedback, urgent jobs and scope creep into calm and confident conversations
Building a way of working that runs smoothly without running you into the ground
Feeling less alone, with the right people around you
We'll tackle AI head on: the concerns, the opportunities and clear actions you can take
The venue
The Ilex is tucked inside Hagley Park, with the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the Avon River just outside the window. It's a relaxed place to spend the morning, and only a short walk from the city centre.
Creative Freedom the book, included in your ticket
Creative Freedom is a 100+ page practical guide for graphic designers who want more control, better clients, and a freelance business that actually feels good to run, valued at $29.99.
Freelancing promises freedom - but without the right foundations, it can quickly turn to stress, undercharging, awkward client conversations and work that never quite ends.
Keep the conversation going
The last brunch we ran in Christchurch was a hit, but you told us that you wanted more time to chat with other designers. That’s why we’ve added in lunch after the morning sessions, so there’s proper time to catch up with friends and meet new ones.
After lunch, stick around for a closer look at how designers are getting ahead right now. We'll look at how to get found by AI and dig into some of the Rocketspark tools that are helping designers deliver better results for their clients.
Stay for the morning, or make a day of it.
Get your early bird ticket
Early bird: $60, available until midnight 22 October 2026
Ticket price $80, from 23 October 2026
Your ticket includes brunch and lunch, all the sessions, a copy of the Creative Freedom book and the optional afternoon session if you'd like to stay.
Can't make the ticket price work?
We never want cost to be the reason someone misses out. We have some subsidised places set aside, and if you'd love to join us but things are a little tight right now, please get in touch.
FAQs
Who is this event for?
Graphic designers, web designers and small studios who want to sharpen their skills and connect with others doing similar work. If that sounds like you, you'll feel right at home.
Do I need to be a Rocketspark partner to come?
Not at all. This event is for any designer, whether you build on Rocketspark or not. In fact, many of the people coming along don't use Rocketspark as their platform. They're here for the community, the conversation and the chance to meet other designers.
What does my ticket cover?
You'll start with brunch, end with lunch and in between you'll hear from Jeremy Johnson (author of Creative Freedom), a panel of Auckland creatives, get stuck into a workshop that shows the value designers bring vs AI. There will also be loads of time to network and your own copy of the Creative Freedom book to take home.
Can I bring a colleague or a friend?
Absolutely, the more designers in the room the better. Just make sure they grab their own ticket before sales close, as seats are limited.
I've got a dietary requirement. Can you cater for that?
Yes. When you book your ticket there's a question where you can let us know, and we'll make sure the caterers have it covered.
When do ticket sales close?
Sales close on Monday 16 November. We wrap up a few days early to give the caterers final numbers, so grab your seat before then.
