By Pip Osborne | Kaiārahi

The TENZ Conference 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for technology educators across Aotearoa, and we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our incredible presenters—Warren Mahy.

For those in the world of Design and Visual Communication (DVC), Warren Mahy is an inspirational figure who seamlessly blends education with industry experience. As a concept designer for Weta Workshop, Warren played a crucial role in bringing to life some of the most memorable creatures and characters from Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

But his work doesn’t stop there—his artistic expertise extends across film, television, and collectible design, contributing to iconic projects that have shaped the visual landscape of fantasy and sci-fi storytelling. Now, as a DVC teacher at Aquinas College, Warren shares his wealth of industry knowledge with the next generation of designers, helping students navigate the creative process from idea generation to on-screen realisation.

A Career Built on Imagination and Innovation

Warren’s journey into concept art began with a deep passion for creature and character design. His distinctive artistic style and ability to craft otherworldly yet believable designs caught the attention of the globally renowned Weta Workshop. During his time there, Warren worked on bringing some of Middle-earth’s most terrifying and awe-inspiring creatures to life, shaping the aesthetic of the cinematic universe beloved by millions worldwide.

His contributions to Weta Workshop’s projects include:
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Helping visualise and refine the monstrous inhabitants of Middle-earth, including Orcs, Trolls, and Ringwraiths.
The Hobbit Trilogy – Expanding Tolkien’s world with new creatures and characters while maintaining visual continuity with the earlier films.
Other Film and Game Projects – Warren has worked on numerous other concept design projects, shaping fantastical and futuristic worlds for entertainment beyond Tolkien’s universe.

His unique ability to merge storytelling with visual design has made him a sought-after artist in the entertainment industry. His portfolio, featured on platforms such as ArtStation and Original Magic Art, showcases an incredible range of dark fantasy and mythical creatures, illustrating the power of imagination in concept art.

TENZ Conference 2025: A Unique Opportunity for Educators

At this year’s TENZ Conference, Warren will take attendees on an exclusive behind-the-scenes journey through the creative process of a creature designer. From the initial spark of an idea to fully realised monsters on screen, he will unpack the iterative design process, demonstrating how concept art plays a vital role in world-building for films and games.

This session will be invaluable for DVC teachers, digital creatives, and design enthusiasts looking to explore industry pathways for students and better understand the intersection of technology, creativity, and storytelling. Warren’s ability to bridge the gap between industry and education makes his presentation a must-see at TENZ 2025.

Don’t Miss Out!
TENZ Conference 2025
Register here: https://tenz.org.nz/2025-conference/