Staff profile: Nick Jarvie

Nick Jarvie joined the NZ Post design team in 2021. Nick’s seen the ins and outs of NZ Post both as a delivery agent and now as a visual communications specialist. As his next challenge, he’s currently designing his first-ever stamp issue.

What’s your history with NZ Post?

My actual work history with NZ Post is relatively short. I have been working for NZ Post for just under a year. I started out as a delivery agent working at the Porirua depot - a real change of pace from the work I had previously been doing as a freelance designer. While working there I heard about the rebrand that was in progress, so kept a bit of a lookout for any jobs that might match my skillset. As luck would have it, there was an opportunity to join the Content and Visual Design team and I was fortunate enough to get the job. So I’ve been working as a visual communications specialist for the past six months. This past year has been a real crash course in what makes NZ Post tick, from working and learning on the frontline to moving into the corporate side and taking that experience through to my work.

What’s your approach to design and why do you enjoy it?

I think my approach to design is focused a lot on clarity and functionality. Good design should communicate ideas clearly and effortlessly, but should start from a place of human insight and experience. The aspect of design I enjoy the most is the problem solving. Being able to distil an idea, concept or message down to its most effective form is very rewarding. Helping to share people’s stories, especially when those stories help to communicate informative and helpful ideas that can ultimately lead to positive social change - that’s when my work really transforms into an enriching experience.

What makes designing stamps different to other kinds of design work?

I think the obvious answer, when thinking about how designing stamps is different from other kinds of design work, is the size. There are very few other design jobs where you work at that scale. To create something that has both an inherent functional purpose while also being framed as a miniature piece of art in and of itself is an interesting balance. There are also mandatory elements within the stamp that must remain consistent in order for it to achieve its intended purpose. To work within those constraints and find that functional and artistic balance is an interesting dynamic. Stamps also have such significant design histories in themselves, which is something to consider when designing and choosing whether to keep them more traditional or try for something that feels and looks different.

Stamps and coins are popular collectors’ items. Tell us about something you’ve collected.

I have always flirted with the idea of collecting things but never quite reached the point where I would consider anything an actual collection. As a kid I did the usual thing of collecting various cards and toys, but nothing really stuck or carried through. At this stage I would say the closest things I have to a collection are some of the activities I started doing during the pandemic and lockdowns to help pass the time. I started building Lego again and have a collection of architecture sets of cities and places I’ve visited. As well as that, like a lot of people I think recently, I’ve slowly been amassing a small forest of house plants.

If you could design anything, what would it be and why?

I think a large part of the reason I enjoy design is that aspect of problem solving. I have also been interested in trying to tackle different and varied jobs. Any job that pushes me to learn a new skill or think about an object, subject or situation in a different way is always going to be very appealing. As things increasingly push towards digital, I would be interested in expanding my skillset as a developer and work more within the UI/UX (user interface design/user experience design) space or even in some aspect of the games and entertainment industry.

See the full range of 2022 Kiwi coins at collectables.nzpost.co.nz