Grad Show Preview – Otago Polytechnic | Debrief 2024
A snapshot of some of the featured students at this year’s graduate show at Otago Polytechnic, on 21 — 24 November.
Luka Jakich
‘Cook Brothers Construction, beer labels’
Design serves as an innovative way to convey ideas and emotions, bridging the gap between concept and communication. I’ve been intrigued by how this connects to the power of advertising, particularly communicating through a product such as this, which serves as a reflection of a brand’s wider identity. Cook Brothers push for a fresh and creative take on the project aligned perfectly with my objectives. The process involved extensive exploration into the evolving landscape of label design, and an effective creative direction that would communicate the designs and embody both Cook Brothers’ and Otago Brew schools established values.
Marin Jurgens
‘School of Design, craft beer/wine packaging’
This packaging design project showcases the creative nature of Otago Polytechnic’s School of Design, as well as the cultural narrative of Dunedin. To fabricate a fresh visual identity for the school allowed me the flexibility to explore through a variety of mediums, including illustration and collage work. The beverages are produced in collaboration with Otago Brew School and Bannockburn Road Vineyard, which is emphasized to convey the school’s connectivity to local industries and communities. Yet first and foremost, the packaging aims to establish the beer and wine as tokens of appreciation for industry partners of the school, who are the target audience for this project.
Orlando Kean
‘Debrief 2024 Exhibition (Spatial)’
Great design centres on conveying meaning and impact, crafting memories, and connecting people with unforgettable stories. I’m Orlando Kean, a designer focused on transforming how people engage with their personal narratives, through creating meaningful, resonant experiences. Collaboration is central to my approach. Working in creative teams with key stakeholders enhances my creative process and helps produce dynamic, inspired results – three exhibitions in 2024. Debrief is a student showcase celebrating the peak of each student’s growth journey across three disciplines. Working closely with students and program heads, we sought to create a collaborative and impactful experience that honors every student’s unique path.
https://orlandokean.cargo.site
Ella Smillie
‘Music film – The Gatesmen’
Growing up in a creative city like Ōtepoti has shaped my design values, inspiring me to embrace individuality and experiment freely in my work. My project blends Claymation, live-action, and 8mm film to explore memory and perception, set to music by The Gatesmen. It tells the story of a young woman seemingly caught in time, surrounded by a burnt-down house. This project gave me a rewarding chance to experiment with bold visuals and new mixed media, fueling my passion to keep exploring unique storytelling techniques and creative possibilities in the future.
https://ella-smillie-design-portfolio.squarespace.com
Tevya Faed
‘Critic Te Ārohi internship’
Creative freedom, tight deadlines, and a rush of adrenaline defined my internship at Critic Te Ārohi. This experience helped me discover my personal design style, incorporating a wide array of halftones, while equipping me with the skills needed to navigate the world of print design and production. My internship immersed me in a range of projects, from illustrations to puzzles, pushing me to experiment with colour and texture. Every challenge strengthened my creativity and problem-solving abilities. My experience at Critic has profoundly shaped my journey as a designer, and I’m excited to bring the skills and confidence I’ve gained into my next life chapter.
https://tevya-design.cargo.site
Timothy (Tim) Still
‘ Debrief 2024 Exhibition (Brand application)’
Working on the Debrief 2024 Exhibition for Otago Polytechnic, School of Design was a high-pressure experience that deepened my understanding of design within a cultural context. In collaboration with supervisors and peers, I took on roles
in publication, photography, videography, and merchandising, each demanding quick adaptation and problem-solving. Working with stakeholders, technical challenges, and branding complexities reframed my outlook on design, highlighting the importance of clarity and cohesion. This experience was immensely informative, especially in branding and communication, and has strengthened my confidence as a designer. I’m proud of my contributions and eager to carry these insights forward into my career.
Annabelle O’Hagan
‘Otago Polytechnic MCE internship’
A sneak peek into the industry…My internship on the Marketing, Communication and Engagement team here at Otago Polytechnic transformed my thinking and confidence, pushed my perspective on design styles, and challenged my ability to work in an industry-level team. Collaborating with the Liaison officers to improve the engagement of their expo event material, I produced a refresh of their current assets, with the aim of promoting Otago Polytechnic in an eye-catching and stand-out way at external and internal events. My design philosophy centres around collaboration and creativity which permeated my time as an intern in a mixed-disciplinary marketing team.
Ben Mead
‘ Pocket Parry’
From a young age, video games have always been my passion. Starting out with the likes of Tekken 2 and WarGames: Defcon 1 on the first Playstation, to titles such as Elden Ring today. Throughout the last three years I have developed all-round game development skills in areas such as game design, Unity, C# Programming and 3D art in Blender. My major project, Pocket Parry, is the product of all the skills I’ve developed pushed to their limits within a twelve week timeframe. This hyper-casual parrying simulator will put the skills of even Soulsborne lovers to the ultimate test!
George Blair
‘Mahere Mahi Toi’
You can’t travel far around the Otago Polytechnic without stumbling across one of the many art installations that populate our campus. Until now there has been no resource which allows people to navigate this carefully curated collection of artwork. Mahere Mahi Toi has been developed in collaboration with the Dunedin School of Art to address this opportunity. As an application Mahere Mahi Toi features an interactive map, curated routes, and insights into the works and artists behind them, providing users with not only a wayfinding tool but also a deeper connection to the creative and cultural elements of our campus.
https://georgeblair.cargo.site
Lewis Middleton
‘Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club’
The Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club (BSLSC) is Ōtepoti’s premier sports club within the realm of Lifeguard sports. This project stemmed from the club’s desire to increase engagement from younger audiences, cementing Surf Lifesaving as mainstream option for youth sports. My intent was to create a range of brandmarks, merchandising and equipment decals all intended for different uses and occasions. The design approach is largely inspired by international sport leagues due to their illustrative nature and brand impact. I aspire to continue down this path for my future design projects, expanding on how a sports club should be represented here in Ōtepoti.
