Open Lab The Podcast

Imogen Switalla is a Freelance Textile Designer & Illustrator based in Wellington, New Zealand, recently graduating with Honours in Textile Design from Massey University. Her work explores colour, line and organic shapes to create fun, bold and lively designs. Imogen is particularly focused on surface pattern design and has worked on both fashion and digital application.In this episode we talk about her exchange to India, her major project, the textile waste industry and everything she has learnt through her freelance journey.Find Imogen here:https://www.instagram.com/imogen.switalla/https://imogenswitalla.myportfolio.com/work

Lisa Newman is a recent industrial graduate from Taranaki who graduated with a Bachelor of Design (First Class Hons), majoring in Industrial design at Massey University. In this episode, we talk about her award-winning projects, the industrial design process and what it was like to graduate amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. Growing up on the farm has inspired Lisa's passion for designing within the agriculture sector so she can give back to the community she came from. Listen to hear what it's like turning your final year project into the real deal and the challenges you face when large companies start asking to buy your design.Find Lisa here:https://www.lisamareedesigns.org/

Anna Baines is a Fashion Designer based in Wellington, New Zealand. Recently graduated with a Bachelor of Design (Hons), majoring in Fashion Design, minoring in Marketing at Massey University. With a love for dance and fashion design, Anna combined these to create her finalist World of WearableArt 2019 garment 'Bloom', her graduating runway collection 'The March of the Seasons', couture fashion side hustle 'Anna lee' and now her new pole dancewear brand 'Syko' due to launch soon. Listen to hear about her busy lifestyle, influential student exchange, and university journey which she is more than excited to share with us. Find Anna here:Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/anna.baines.71Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaleebaines/Syko: Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/syko.co.nz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syko.nz/Anna lee:Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/annaleee.nz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annalee_nz/ Portfolio:https://annabaines0.myportfolio.com/

Join us on a spiritual, empathic and emotive conversation with Michael Sutherland, from Sutherland Sounds, as we journey into understanding how practicing the foundation learnt at university has enabled Michael to invite chaos into his music production. We talk about studio etiquette and building/holding the space for musicians to work their magic. He has worked alongside some of New Zealand’s top music producers, helped re-record one of Aotearoa's earliest recording stars ‘Pixie William’ and spills tea with some BTS details on Shapeshifter’s latest album ‘Rituals’. On top of all this Michael’s major project has redefined and helped facilitate and enhance the sensory deprivation experience of Float Tanks globally – while giving back 1/3 of his royalties to conservation efforts annually. Michael is a musician/producer based in Wellington NZ. He studied at MAINZ and recently graduated the Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University. Michael produces and records some of Wellington's local talent/bands and assists on commercial projects with some of the industry's best. Michael is also the creator of "Music for Float Tanks" and electric guitarist for ‘Khailana’. His individual brand is anchored by ensuring the recording process is an enjoyable and wholesome experience for all involved and integrates the idea that music can pursue a much greater social, spiritual, and political purpose outside of Western/Commercial frameworks. Works of art make rules; rules do not make works of art– Claude DebussyFind Michael hereInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sutherlandsounds/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.sutherland.58760Website: https://www.sutherlandsounds.comPurchase Float Tank MusicAll tracks are specifically crafted for Float Centres to facilitate and enhance the sensory deprivation experience. There are six tracks and a full sound journey all adhering to the DreamPod software.https://www.sutherlandsounds.com/music-for-float-tanks Mike GibsonMunki Studios is spearheaded by Mike Gibson and home to some very fine ears and engineers.https://www.facebook.com/Munki-Studios-243785812343165/Blue Smoke AlbumA tribute album is under production to reimagine Pixie Williams' recordings with Aotearoa's leading and emerging contemporary vocalists.https://www.bluesmokerecords.com/the-new-blue-teamToby Lloyd Tiny Triumph Recordings is a recording studio run by Wellington-based Music Producer Toby Lloyd.https://www.tinytriumphrecordings.com/Shapeshifter Day 1-4 Studio Diaryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUdDqBHGX18&t=9shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXO_eN7fQpEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZLl3WJ7ickhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZteIBKGfBU

Olivia’s brain has been in constant record mode since starting at Capture Studios. She reflects on her honours year and how it helped her grow as a confident creative and form a new mindset to trust herself. She reached out to make-up artists, models and sourced garments from some big NZ fashion designers, like Karen Walker and Trelise Cooper to use in her shoot. Those project management experiences along with her photography eye undoubtedly helped her to transition into the industry with ease.Olivia Melhop is a photographer based in Wellington, New Zealand. Recently graduated with a Bachelor of Design (Hons), majoring in Photography at Massey University. Inspired by fashion, social customs, and advertising – Olivia’s work is frequently situated between documentary and fashion photography. Her eye-catching imagery and distinct use of colour plus composition are defining aspects of her approach.Olivia's contacts:@oliviamelhopphotohttps://www.facebook.com/oliviamelhopphoto/https://www.oliviamelhop.comHonours project:https://exposure2019.massey.ac.nz/students/photography/olivia-melhop/Capture Studios contacts:@capturestudiosnzhttps://www.facebook.com/Capture-Studios-129246587156572/www.capturestudios.co.nzWellington Models:https://www.facebook.com/groups/wellingtonmodels/

We talk with Spatial graduate turned photographer/videographer Oscar Keys. We learnt that Spatial as a degree can be interpreted in so many different ways allowing its students to make it their own – Oscar did exactly that! Listen in to find out how he started collaborating with brands such as Red Bull, Universal Australia, Huffer, and Rhythm and Vines. We enjoyed talking all things spatial, freelance, mentors, festivals and Covid-19.Find Oscar below:oscarkeys.com@oscarkeys_Get in contact with us:www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

We reflect on what we learnt from our interviews in season 1 and spill the tea on what to expect for season 2. Some helpful advice from season 1 included: getting a mentor, putting yourself first, getting a part-time job, taking the pressure off yourself and having fun! Basically, how to squeeze every ounce out of your study – the skills, resources, and knowledge before it's all over.In season 2, we're interviewing across the college and amped to be inviting each discipline to the mic including – Industrial, Fashion or Textiles, Creative Media Production, Music, Photography, Spatial, Illustration, and Fine Arts.So get excited and come join us for a chat. Find our links below:Connah 
@connahhazelwood
@lifeofcon_Michael 
@mycooldesign
@lemon.and.greenmycooldesign.co.nz

We interview Nathan Hall, a previous Open Lab intern and now graduate after completing a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design with Honours. Find out what it's like in the transition from university to industry and some ways to land your dream job.In this episode, we delve into major project, the scary world of networking, job hunting and the stress of it all. A beautiful observation from Nathan is that everybody works differently and will have a different journey into their dream job, but by staying your authentic self and pushing the boundaries you can get there.Find Nathan below:https://nathanhall.myportfolio.com/work@nathanfhallGet in contact with us:www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nzCreative Morningshttps://creativemornings.com/

We interview Mette Harker, a previous Open Lab intern and student finishing her final year studying a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design. This is perfect timing as we were able to ask Mete about the struggles and reality of fourth-year while she was actually going through it.We talk about what fourth-year is like, the good, bad and the ugly. We also touch on her time at Open Lab, what she learnt and where she’s going next including how she landed her new job.Mette's experiences and advice will help anyone wanting a glimpse into the reality of fourth-year and reminds students to appreciate and enjoy it while they still can.Some other topics we cover are: 
Interning at OL, practical skills, critiques, lecturers, stress, equipment, choosing your topic, life after uni and job interviews.Find Mette below:https://mette-harker.squarespace.com/Get in contact with us:www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

We interview Hollie Arnett, the introverted girl boss who took the leap and started her own freelance business at the age of 22 and has been learning and winning ever since. From previously working for start-ups and a graduate of Massey University she knew working for herself was the way to go. Now the owner and one-woman band of Black and White studios she shares how she did it, her highs and lows and what’s in store for any future budding freelancers.Hollie opens up about the side of freelancing you don’t hear about, what it's really like working on your own, the strategies she implements and the struggles. She also touches on how personal development plays a huge part in her business as well as networking with her community.Find her studio below:blackandwhitestudios.nz@blckwhtstudiosFind Hollie’s helpful blog and vlogs below:holliearnettdesign.com@hollie_arnettyoutube.com/channel/UCO3ZMhc3RHWyyNupkmbAnBgWant to reach out to us? Get in contact: www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

Join us to learn what it’s like in the day of a Digital Designer within Government and what that transition from studying to full-time work looked like for Alesha. From going beet red in her portfolio review and practicing on her friends, Alesha was able to land her first internship that also helped further her final project.Alesha shares how important the connections she made were to helping her later down the track and how they continue to help her in her career.We touch on:– How internships can HELP your study– The importance of reaching out and building mutual relationships
– Different interview styles and tips– What it’s like transitioning from studying to full-time work. You can find Alesha and her work below:@leshieiscool
www.aleshagarton.comWant to reach out to us? Get in contact: www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

Sophia is a true go-getter, working for us in her 3rd year, nailing an internship in her 4th year and becoming a product designer with Trade Me after leaving University.She is a passionate vegan, illustrator, networker and soon to be freelancer in London. We discuss the importance of networking and how Summer of tech and mentoring helped her along the way.Some key points are:– What it's like working in different design jobs– Summer of tech internships– Portfolio and interviews tips 
– Tech mentorshipsYou can find Sophia and her work below:@Sophia.explores
@soph_eats_plantswww.sophiabishopdesign.comAdditional reference: 
Summer of Tech has been connecting New Zealand university students with paid tech internships since 2006. 
https://summeroftech.co.nz/

Winter Mentor Wellington is a mentor matching program for everyone who works in IT.https://wintermentor.comGet in contact: www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

Taking the leap from the well-known to the unfamiliar can be an emotional struggle and landing a long-term internship in Government is only the start. We interview Christina who is in the middle of working out who she is as a designer while finding the confidence in establishing her place and voice within a newly formed team. We touch on:– Being an ambassador on the value of design thinking 
– Power Posing– Learning new work habits and productivity– Designing in government 
You can find Christina and her work below:@Christina.kw
christinakirkwilson.com Amy Cuddy Ted talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are/transcript?language=enGet in contact: www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

Everyone wants to know what happens when you finally leave university to find a job and in this episode we go deep into the nitty gritty details of this whole process.We interview Dylan, a Massey Grad who worked with us in his fourth year and has been on quite the journey finding a full-time design job. We go into how he did it, what jobs are out there and how to nail your first of many interviews.We touch on:– What to talk about in interviews– The challenges– What boosted Dylan’s confidence and got him the jobYou can find Dylan and his work below:@dylan_healy
dylanhealydesign.comWant to reach out to us? Get in contact: www.openlab.ac.nz@openlabnzhello@openlab.ac.nz

We introduce who Open Lab is and where we are placed within the design industry. Discussing how we work in a unique, safe and collaborative environment, both with the expertise we have on projects and the state of art facilities we have at our finger tips. Introducing your co-hosts Connah and Michael, who share their own stories and how Open Lab provides value through internships, interview coaching and portfolio reviews. Connah 
@lifeofcon_
@connahhazelwoodthelifeofcon.comMichael 
@mycooldesign
@lemon.and.greenmycooldesign.co.nz