Meaningful Design Through Cultural Collaboration

Sharing purpose across cultures

One of the most profound experiences of my career has been working on design projects for the Djungan people, directly commissioned by NNTAC (Nguddaboolgan Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC). This work involved close and sincere engagement with the local community.

In recent years, through partnerships with local design agencies, I have also worked with various Indigenous-owned businesses supported by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA). These projects have allowed me to build experience collaborating with Indigenous organizations across diverse industries.

These collaborations reaffirmed the importance of respecting the cultural identities that communities have protected for years and accurately reflecting their voices. My own time living in Australia has taught me that identity is shaped not by nationality, but by values and life experiences. This perspective guides my design approach—moving beyond surface-level information to truly listen to the values and thoughts of the people involved.

Where Culture and History Merge, Unveiling 37,000 Years of Legacy

Ngarrabullgan

Ngarrabullgan (formerly Mount Mulligan) is a living National Cultural Heritage site in Far North Queensland, recognised as one of Australia’s oldest Indigenous settlements. With over 37,000 years of human history, it remains culturally and spiritually vital to the Djungan people. Its story is not a relic of the past but is passed down through generations, remaining central to the community’s bond and connection to Country.

My involvement in the Ngarrabullgan project marked a significant turning point in my life. After living in Australia for about 20 years and becoming a citizen, I began to rethink what defines “identity.” I realised that beyond nationality, it is our daily values and accumulated experiences that truly shape who we are.

Through this project, I witnessed how identity remains unshaken and is passed down even through hardship. Culture exists not in documents or titles, but lives on in stories, knowledge, and the community. This understanding made me rethink not only my approach to design but also my own place in Australia.

I reaffirmed that design should not impose meaning, but rather support what is already there. In Buddhism, which I practice, there is a teaching called the “treasures of the heart”—the idea that what matters most cannot be taken away. I felt a strong resonance between this teaching and the attitude of Aboriginal people, who have protected their connection to Country through memory and sharing while overcoming adversity. This overlap in values is one reason why this project holds such deep personal meaning for me.

TMCreation delivered outstanding work for NNTAC. Toshi invested time in deeply understanding our community’s heritage and values, and translated this into a brand identity that is both respectful and visually compelling. His responsiveness, strong design capability, and attention to detail made the entire process smooth and efficient. I would highly recommend Toshi for projects requiring thoughtful, culturally aware design.