The founder of DipDesign, Damien McCown, was born in November 1975 and grew up in South Auckland. He holds a degree in Visual Arts from MIT in Auckland, majoring in Graphic Design.

After a tumultuous personal year in 2011, stone carving and sculpting became Damien’s sanctuary - an outlet for emotional expression and healing. This difficulty and its resulting growth is a major reflection of the use of the Koru in many of the designs. A symbol of new beginnings; the Koru represents purity, vitality and growth, connecting people to each other.

DipDesign often uses a variety of Maori symbolism, highlighting the Kiwi nature of the designs. Each design or sculpture, beyond its aesthetic appeal, tells a story; as DipDesign aims for the viewer to create an emotional attachment to each piece.