MDP@SoMA 2018–2022

A selection of works created in my role as Design Technician

2018 – 2023

School of Media Arts

Wintec / Te Kuratini o Waikato

Kirikiriroa / Hamilton

Aotearoa / New Zealand

Totara Presentation / Memento Plaques

A laser cut and etched plaque from milled Totara timber was presented as a memento to the final graduates of the Bachelor of Media Arts programme.

Sustainability was a key focus in the design and execution of this simple yet complex packaging project.

The box is comprised of five sections of 3mm recycled corrugated cardboard: three cut sections make the base, and two go together to form the lid. The layers of each half are glued together using PVA glue (biodegradable). The two halves are connected by the recto/ verso cover hinge that has as it’s main illustration a typographic interpretation of the renown whakatauki “Whāia te iti kahurangi!”, used when offering encouragement to those seeking their highest ideals.

Inside, a double thickness recess area supports the plaque, with single depth finger slots providing access for removal and replacement. Finally, a small bespoke laser cut seal made from paper adhesive tape completes and holds the package together.

Totara Presentation / Memento Plaques

Spine design / paper adhesive seal / verso content and layout / interior housing.

Creative focus:

simplicity

clarity

sustainability

functionality

conceptual connection

biculturalism

KOHA /

Laser cut cardboard packaging for koha/gifts when Wintec staff visited Chengdu University. The larger black version housed a silk scarf for men, a smaller red version contained a silk handkerchief for women, and a third version was made for chocolate bars.

Use of a stencil typeface allowed for a small teaser show-through of the contents. Each were sealed at the back with a gold vinyl seal cut in the form of the Wintec logo. Simplicity and elegance combined in what would also act as a talking point/conversation opener in a cross-cultural engagement.

I revisited the project to add the horizontal line, designed to strengthen and aid the reading and pronounciation of the core concept.

KOHA / Gift Packaging

Wintec exchanges to Chengdu University, China

School of Media Arts 2018

Classroom window graphic/divider

An internal corridor window designed to ‘open’ the classroom also acts as an intrusion and distraction.

Used predominantly by Communications/ Journalism students, the proposal was to provide a text-based wordwork that could be read and interpreted from both sides, serving as both inspiration and decoration.

Fashion Timeline

Vinyl Wall Graphic

School of Media Arts / Fashion

2018

Outline cut file artwork & visual

Fashion Rack Signage

Laser cut MDF discs / acrylic paint / vinyl graphic

Wiggle Plinth

Laser cut upcycled cardboard with MDF outer face / PVA glue

Set Square Pattern Maker_Laser Cut Acrylic

Set Square Pattern Maker

Laser Cutting Acrylic_CU /

Drawn in InDesign and Illustrator

Laser cut in acrylic

Cut lines filled with Indian ink.

Taking an everyday tool in it’s industry setting and seeking to elevate both it’s sense of purpose and functionality.

2020

URBAN Hair & Spa Baby Feet Sandwich Board Design and build Poplar plywood, vinyl, low-profile piano hinge and concealed tie.

Casting Call Posters

Colorful and flamboyant call out posters for catwalk runway models to feature as part of the End of Year Showcase presentations for the Fashion School students.

The design was revisited and updated in 2019.

Future Fashionistas_Colour version

Brand developed for a series of presentations by graduating Year Three students.

Future Fashionistas_Collateral

School of Media Arts / Fashion

Future Fashionistas_Collateral

Booklet & Invitation A5

Third Year Graduate Show

2018

Kitchen

Cupboard

Signage

Whimsical signage to encourage users of a shared kitchen to return equipment back to the appropriate space.

Design, cut, and install.

COVID Hand Sanitiser Stations & Signage

Three-dimensional laser cut corrugated cardboard signs that sat atop column plinths placed at entrance/exit ways, serving as COVID protection stations.

The Please Take Care vinyl floor signage was repurposed from it’s original use alerting Ramp Gallery exhibition guests to floor-based artworks.

Please Use Me & Social Distance Signage

With the re-emergence of the COVID virus I revisited the USE Me signage, adding a further level of respectful insistance.

I also introduced new signage on floors and communal work surfaces in the guise of a metre long ruler for those needing help to determine appropriate distancing measures.

RAMP Gallery

The main exhibition space onsite for the School of Media Arts is Ramp Gallery.

As well as participating in exhibition installations with postgraduate and independent artists, my responsibilities extended to the design and install of exhibition signage and graphics.

More lately, I introduced the use of recycled lasercut cardboard signage, in a move away from the dependence on vinyl.

RAMP Gallery

Continued…

Exhibition design and installation.

Social Space

As it’s name suggests, this was a more general multipurpose area, that doubles as an exhibition space for the work of undergraduate students.

I was responsible for overseeing the presentation of the room, both in the installation and presentation of student work, and in general the public face of the space.

Tutors’ Office / Cut vinyl Signage

Schematic / Term & Semester Dates A4

The Drop-in Times poster indicating tutor availability, produced biannually with a changing colourscheme to reflect the change of semester.

The Term & Semester info sheet works similarly, with a slight shift in the overall appearance when produced annually.

Bilingual Signage /

On occasion I would be asked to design materials for outside of SoMA.

This bilingual signage was produced using lasercut recycled 100% biodegradable sustainable materials.