Kiwi creatives are set to get a new outlet for their work as Telecom (soon to be Spark) prepares to host the live design battle Characterised.

The contest will pit pairs of artists against each other over two to three quick fire rounds, using old school pen and paper tools and computers to developer characters.

The design tournament series began last year, organised by US-based Cut&Paste. Artists get a creative brief to sketch, add colour and create scenes, all live on stage, with the winning character chosen at the end of the night.

Cut&Paste says the events are “lightly competitive”, but formatted to give a unique perspective on each designer’s technique.

The Auckland event on 13 March will involve freelance illustrator and character designer Garry McLanachan, born in Dunedin but now based in Auckland and Dunedin illustrator and character artist Scott Savage.

They’ll be joined by Auckland visual architect Misha Wert, an architecture graduate and graffiti artist, freelance art director Kyle Boonzaier, and illustrators Ivy Niu and Alisha Brunton.

George FM DJs will perform and there’ll be interactive digital art on display, including 360 degree video projections. AUT’s Colab is also curating interactive works for the event.