2026 Hot New Things: Jess McGeorge, 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 Jess McGeorge who recently graduated from the Bachelor of Design (Communication) 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
My creative journey began when my brother and I received a GoPro for Christmas. We would film ourselves on trips and create montages from the footage. I became really invested in making cool videos to share with my friends. This was a fun summer activity, but I didn’t think much of it at the time.
After high school, I decided to study marketing, but after one semester, I realised it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I needed a change and wanted to pursue a more creative path. I enrolled in Communication Design at Otago Polytechnic, where I rediscovered my passion for filmmaking and learned all about graphic design.
I found the process of making documentaries particularly interesting. Diving deep into a story motivated me, and hearing people’s experiences helped me understand the importance of creating for change. Learning the fundamentals of graphic design has also enabled me to experiment with captivating graphics and animations that enhance the films I create.
What was the focus of your graduating project?
My drive is to highlight stories and issues from passionate people by creating impactful visual narratives. With a background in graphic design, I bring a distinctive style to each film project I pursue. I’m most inspired when collaborating within the music scene. Merging music and design through rhythm and the feelings that music evokes, elevates each story I tell. I aimed to amplify the voices of women DJs in Aotearoa and offer a glimpse into their lives and endeavours. As well as paying homage to how they have shaped the scene, I hope their stories inspire the next generation to break barriers and be heard.
Synopsis for my short documentary: Meet the women mixing up Ōtepoti’s DJ scene. The Power Mix dives into overcoming setbacks and remixing what it means to be behind the decks. Ōtepoti DJs share stories of resilience, creativity, and a deep passion for music as they step up as promoters, mentors, producers, and true scene shapers.
What did you choose to study Bachelor of Design (Communication) at Otago Polytechnic?
I have always loved watching films and exciting edits on YouTube, as well as seeing posters and billboards in the street. This curiosity sparked my desire to learn how these creations are made. After moving to Ōtepoti and enjoying my time here, I wanted to find a creative film and design degree in Ōtepoti. I then discovered the design school at Otago Polytechnic, and I was excited to learn more. I first completed a certificate in Digital Media and Design, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it felt like what I was meant to be doing. This led me to apply for the Bachelor of Communication Design, where I could deepen my knowledge of both filmmaking and graphic design.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
Learning to unleash my creative thinking and use different perspectives to inspire my work has been one of the main takeaways from studying design. I also didn’t realize how understanding the responsibility we have as designers would drastically change my goals for what I want to create. It has made me recognize the importance of creating with values and making an impact rather than just “making pretty things” for people to see. However, the aspect I have enjoyed the most while studying design is being surrounded by like-minded individuals and having the opportunity to collaborate with such talented and kind classmates.
What was your biggest challenge while studying?
An issue I had to overcome early in my studies was being surrounded by many talented artists and illustrators in my class. It seemed that everyone had a strong arts background, which made me question my decision to pursue a creative degree. Coming from a sports background and having not taken any creative classes in high school made me feel as though I was already behind in my skills and learning. This was difficult at first, as I constantly compared my work to my other classmates and often felt defeated. However, observing everyone’s unique talents helped me realise that I just needed to find my own specialty. I began to think about my work more positively and recognised that my lack of an arts background offered me a different perspective. I immersed myself in learning about various media I could use to create something meaningful that I could be proud of. Taking film classes boosted my confidence and became a source of motivation for me.
Who (or what) inspired you to pick design as a career path?
As a kid, I really enjoyed creating video edits and filming my friends and me during our adventures. In addition, during class in business studies in high school, I spent a lot of time designing logos and websites for the businesses we started. After not enjoying my marketing degree at Otago University, I found myself at a crossroads. I took a step back to reflect on what I truly loved to do. This realisation helped me recognise my passion for a creative path, allowing me to reassess my goals and aspirations. I became eager to learn more about design and filmmaking. This clarity motivated me to explore different avenues in the creative field, pushing me to become a proficient designer and filmmaker.
What is next for you?
Moving forward, I want to continue creating work that amplifies underrepresented voices and celebrates multicultural stories from diverse communities. I’m eager to expand my practice through short-form documentaries to live visuals and cross-disciplinary collaborations. My focus is to keep pushing the boundaries of how stories are told, using my creative skills to celebrate community, culture, and individuality. Whether behind the camera, on the computer, or collaborating with other artists, I remain committed to authenticity, critical thinking, and creative growth. Building strong connections within Aotearoa’s community will remain at the heart of my work, driving me to keep telling stories that make a meaningful impact.
Where can we see more of your work?
Portfolio – https://readymag.website/u3451706412/5462486/
Instagram – @goingjess
LinkedIn – @jess mcgeorge
Email – goingjesscreates@gmail.com
Phone – 021409300
