Student Story

Alice claimed a Bronze Medal in the Student and Academic Product section at the 2023 Best Design Awards for her project, Nestle. 

If you're considering a career in design, then who better than a successful graduate to tell you all you need to know before you get started on your journey?

Here's Alice sharing some useful insights from her journey as a Bachelor of Design student. 

Why did you choose to study at Otago Polytechnic?

Being from Dunedin I wanted to stay close to home. I had also attended one of the Product Design open days and found myself very interested in the programme.

Have you always been interested in Product Design?

I have always loved design and being creative in general. As a kid, I was always creating, from birthday cards to cardboard castles, sketching to sculpting, I’ve tried a lot of crafts. I also liked designing things, mostly just sketching the ideas. I remember designing a lot of clothes and kids’ furniture when I was younger.

What were your favourite aspects of the programme?

I really enjoyed the course as a whole. It was great going on field trips to learn more about manufacturing processes, materials and local businesses.

How do you prefer to learn? Do you prefer doing “real-world” projects versus theory?

I like designing projects that can be used in the real-world. I often spend a lot of time with my projects staying on the page (or screen) as I work through the design problems, before bringing them into reality with models and prototypes. I also find I retain more information if researching something myself than if given a demonstration.

Have you been involved in any projects or internships?

My major final-year project, Nestle* is a bespoke window seat that was manufactured by Otago Furniture. I actually went to see them quite early on in the project, once I had my brief and had decided that the main material would be wood. I took in some of my initial concepts and talked through the process, how each could be made, what changes might be necessary, and what I would need to provide for manufacture.

In my second year, I joined some classmates in competing in Audacious. We developed a business idea together – biodegradable crayons coloured by food waste.

At the beginning of my third year, I participated in the Map the System global competition, which was a great experience. I learnt valuable skills in systems thinking and met a lot of awesome people.

Where are you now working?

I work at Otago Furniture. I do a little bit of a lot of things. I do their design and visualisation, so when a client comes in with a custom job I go through the whole design process, from coming up with initial concepts, to making the technical drawings and files for the workshop. I am also working on new designs for the showroom. I help look after the showroom and process any sales from the floor. I am also in charge of social media channels.

Any tips for others who might be considering enrolling in Product Design?

Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. Use the workshop. Go to events. Network. Say yes to competitions such as Map the System and Audacious. They are extra work, but definitely worth it in the long run.

*Alice claimed a Bronze Medal in the Student and Academic Product section at the 2023 Best Design Awards for her project, Nestle.