2026 Hot New Things: Shayla Kara, Otago Polytechnic
Design Assembly profiles a selection of the top graduates from the best Art and Design Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. We welcome these talented emerging professionals to our industry, learn about their passions, final projects, developing creative confidence and ambitions for the future.
Today we speak with Shayla Kara who recently graduated from the Communication Design at Otago Polytechnic. Find out more about tertiary study options across Aotearoa New Zealand on our Design Schools page.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Kia ora! Ko Shayla tōku ingoa. I’m a graduate of the Bachelor of Communication Design (Games Stream) at Otago Polytechnic.
After discovering that criminal psychology was far less exciting than it sounded, I decided on a whim to enrol in a certificate in Game Design at OP. Before I could say “coding is a nightmare”, I had found myself in love with the subject and on my way to studying for a bachelor’s degree in design.
I had never imagined design as my career path. Games were just something to pass the time in my unemployment, not a way to get employed. But I was do drawn to the design process, the way every choice carries meaning, and my background in psychology naturally led me toward UI design. It became the perfect way to connect my old passion with my new one.
3 and a half years later I have worked on many projects, all of which I am proud of, with a powerful urge to continue creating bigger and better!
What was the focus of your graduating project?
Cut the Shame is a game designed to teach Year 9–10 students about consent through a hairdressing simulator. Players can choose to play as either the client or the hairdresser, with the main goal being to keep the client comfortable throughout the appointment.
When playing as the client, you’re paired with either a considerate or inconsiderate hairdresser. Players must pick up on how the hairdresser reacts to their dialogue choices to tell the difference, while also communicating clearly to keep the character comfortable and achieve the hairstyle they want.
The hairdresser’s role is more challenging, as this is meant to be the position of power. Dialogue options move and dodge the cursor if players are too hasty, encouraging being mindful in communication. Players must also pay attention to any nonverbal cues, as one client won’t speak up for themselves but will instead react visually.
The idea for Cut the Shame came after a friend pointed out how current sexual education programs often overlook consent as a broader concept. I wanted to create a gamified learning tool that teaches consent beyond sexual situations, showing that consent is part of everyday interactions and communication.
What did you choose to study Communication Design at Otago Polytechnic?
I’ve grown up in Ōtepoti Dunedin, and I wasn’t keen to move just to go to another school. I actually started studying in 2016 at Otago Polytechnic for a business certificate! This was to be my stepping stone to get into Otago University and fulfill my real passion of Criminology, Psychology and English…. which lasted 8 months before I realised it wasn’t my passion and I was adrift in the workforce.
The Games stream of Communication Design was relatively new when I came across it, I wasn’t overly keen in going back to study after feeling so disheartened from dropping out of Uni, but I remembered how much I preferred the hands on teaching style of Otago Poytech and that gave me enough confidence to test the waters in the Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Games Pathway).
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
That’s a hard question, because I’ve enjoyed so much about being here. But I think the best part has been the connections I’ve made. Meeting such talented people who share similar passions has been incredible. I never thought of myself as competitive, but seeing all the amazing work they create has pushed me to go further than I would have on my own.
The teachers have also been an important part of my experience. Each of them has truly inspired me. They’ve given me valuable feedback that’s helped me recognise both my strengths and the areas I can improve. Their support has constantly motivated me to do better and has reignited my passion for learning.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
Having confidence in my work. I have always had terrible grades, like reeeally bad, so when I started study in design and I was getting A’s, I thought it was a fluke, or that design school was just super easy. I wasn’t confident in showing off my work and when I did I was pretty self deprecating about it. But I have come to accept that, yeah, I am good at design, and I should be proud of all the work I do. It also helped that one of my lecturers gave me a lecture about how good my work and has worked with me on building my ego up.
Who (or what) inspired you to pick design as a career path?
When I was little I would often watch my mum play games like Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and Ratchet and Clank to name a few, and I loved it they were so silly and fun it was great. Then in the last few years these games have all gotten remasters and I had to buy them again to once again watch my mum play (shes just better at all the jumping). After watching for a few hours, I didn’t see the same games from my childhood, sure, they had a fresh coat of substance paint, but I was noticing more. They had secrets, the levels had thought, UI was something I was noticing. I was looking at these games with fresh new eyes and I wanted to know how they were made? why were they made like that? could I do it too? when is it my turn to play? So thanks mum! I didn’t want to play anyway.
What is next for you?
During my study I have been fortunate enough to start an internship with Spellcaster Education, where I have been able to show off my skills in pixel art by creating assets, backgrounds, and even updating their UI. I hope to stay with them for as long as possible as I really align with their ethos because I love a good gamified education tool. In saying that after this project I would also be okay with having a nap for 3 years!
Where can we see more of your work?
I am posting most of my work on my ArtStation, and I can be reached on LinkedIn. Don’t mind the username it was a funny joke that has unfortunately stuck.
LinkedIn – @shayla-kara
Artstation – @shutupshayla
Email – Shaylakara@gmail.com
Shayla Kara,
022 638 6940
