Acclaimed Hawke's Bay designer David Trubridge is journeying through the US as part of a "hui inspired" tour.
The Whakatu-based artist, who will speak about his work and what drives his design practice, said the word hui would be used in his overseas tour - with "an explanation".
"Hui is a Maori word used to describe a social gathering or assembly to share and discuss ideas," he said. "This makes it a more of a social occasion and less of a formal lecture, and also adds an exotic foreign element, telling the stories of our culture."
The itinerary includes talks in Miami, Austin, Boston, Portland Me, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico City.
It's billed as a series of dynamic events to engage with design students, design followers and the public.
"They will be informal in style, prompting debate around design philosophy and sustainable design."
He will also be a formal presenter at SxSW Eco in Austin.
"The US is a good market for us - our best after New Zealand - which is why we are making this effort."
His company will also be exhibiting a major installation of his works at Westedge Design Show.
"We have two new designs we are launching there, Belle and Beau - plywood kitset lampshades that are developed from our acoustic light, hush, launched earlier this year in Frankfurt and New York."
Trubridge has received a range of awards for his work and contributions towards design. They include the Good Design Awards (NZ), the Best Awards (NZ), Home NZ Design Awards, the Silver Leaf Awards (Japan), Designboom / Sotheby's Awards (London), the UN / Natural World Warming awards and New Zealand's greatest prize for innovative design, the John Britten Award.
Last year he published So Far, the story of his development as a designer.