Creative Arts student stories

“During my studies, I was consistently afforded freedom of choice. Both the BAS and MArch(Prof) challenged the traditional narrative that architecture is limited to buildings and bridges."

My work

“What I do as an Architectural Graduate depends on the projects I am involved in, and what stage they’re at. At the moment, I’m engaged with a large-scale aged-care project, a new residential build and a miniscule alteration. I could be drawing details, producing renders, iterating a developing design, or coordinating with engineers and other consultants."

My future

“Long term, I’m looking to transition into film and/or video game development. You would be surprised how malleable the skillset of an architect is. Our skills aren’t grounded in mere reality; we’re equipped to design entirely new worlds, stories and structures that are unbound by city councils or building codes, all while drawing on our learnt knowledge of design process, history and technology."

Making a positive impact

“As an architect, you’ll learn to shape the world around you. You’ll contribute to structures that, with any luck, will endure for centuries. That legacy isn’t without weight; our contribution to the planet ₋ environmentally and physically – is significant. I see our profession as one that has the opportunity to truly change the world we live in.”

Study boost
“I loved that the Bachelor of Architectural Studies was so focused on hands-on learning. I had incredibly insightful and passionate lecturers and tutors who constantly inspired me to find new ways of seeing and sensing. I was always encouraged to learn through experimentation and alternative modes of exploration.

Career boost
“University was great for honing my design methodologies and presentation skills. It taught me the importance of curating and editing my ideas. In my fourth year of study, I had the opportunity to intern at Jasmax and get a taste of working in an architectural practice. I immediately loved the atmosphere and was inspired by their buildings. I am now lucky to work there as an Architectural Graduate and member of Waka Māia, Jasmax’s Māori cultural design and advisory team.

“Every day, I learn from experienced and emerging Māori design leaders and advocate for Māori-influenced design. I love being a part of collaborative processes where we can imbue design with meaning.

“Architecture is such a broad area of study, so it continues to excite and surprise. It will equip you with numerous skills and learnings that can lead to many different career paths. Working in this field presents many opportunities to create change in the built environment and inform the way we interact, socialise and build identity through space making.”
 

“I’ve been a dancer since I was little. I love moving, but I wanted to see just how wide dance studies could be outside of that. I hope this qualification can take me to postgraduate study, perhaps somewhere like China or South Korea."

Support in planning my future

“Dance Studies is so open and friendly. If I ever have any queries or just want to make sure of something, there are people I feel comfortable talking to. I’ve found people who have done postgraduate studies in areas that interest me. It’s been so easy to talk with them to help plan my future. Everyone here wants to see you succeed."

The challenges have increased my confidence

“I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone so many times, which is important for someone like me who might settle with ‘comfortable’. I’ve become more confident in myself and my abilities.

“I really enjoyed a course called Dance History and Contexts because it was such an interesting exploration of both practical and theoretical work. It’s like that with a lot of the courses."

Clubs and facilities

“But it’s not all about study. I love all the clubs there are! I found the KPop Planet club, which is perfect for me! I’ve made so many new friends through the club. There’s so much extracurricular support like gym facilities, counselling and cheap physiotherapy (especially important for me).”

Villa is a graduate of the Bachelor of Dance Studies. He works as a freelance dancer and actor. He’s also a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland.

Freelance work
“I’ve been freelancing as a dancer and choreographer since 2016, even while I was studying. I find creating my own works really rewarding as well as challenging. I have all of these tools now and I can just go and create something however and whenever I want. There is nothing more freeing than being able to create something that is yours.

Critical thinking
“My own works are drawn from honest and personal topics that I want to share. Every creative practice involves a lot of critical thinking. Studying dance has opened my eyes to intellectual discussions around the craft of dance, which has helped me understand that it’s more than just cool moves on a stage. It can be an analysis of ideas, themes, inspirations and politics. Artists are smart. Great art has layers of conversations behind it.

“If you’re serious about dance and curious as to how to take your craft further, both physically and intellectually, then study it thoroughly. You pick up so many transferable skills during your study, like collaboration, discipline, time management, and research.

Career direction
“It’s important to come into the programme with an idea of where you are wanting to go, but don’t get too caught up about it. You learn about other opportunities that dance has to offer. You just have to work for it. I came in wanting to be a high school teacher, but I learned more about the dance world, and my career interests then guided me to the path I’m on now. I think I’d be ready to teach in the long term, but for now, I want to gain more experience and develop my craft by dancing and acting in projects, because I genuinely enjoy it.”

Many pathways
“I wanted to fully commit to making dance a part of my future but wasn’t sure if I could make a career of it. The Dance Studies programme at the University of Auckland best suited my desires and passions, and I was amazed to discover all the possible pathways dance could take me.

“During my degree, I constantly had lightbulb moments as I started to see my work come together and witness my efforts pay off. There were many different performance opportunities, and I learnt how valuable it is to be confident in your own skin and what you have to offer.

Support
“My lecturers and tutors were extremely helpful. They helped me work out a plan to allow me to complete my studies while training full-time, and I am forever thankful for that. I also formed special connections with my classmates which were pivotal in that chapter of my life.

Teaching dance
“The most rewarding thing about being a dance teacher is fostering connections with my students. I love witnessing their growth and developing an environment where they feel safe to express themselves and take risks.

Travelling the world
“I’m so grateful for the journey dance has taken me on. I have been able to travel the world, training with Parris Goebel and performing in music videos for Justin Bieber and Ciara. I want to share the knowledge I have learnt through my career and make dance an enjoyable, accessible and positive experience for every learner, regardless of age, gender or ability.

“Studying Dance opens up endless opportunities to be exposed to different perspectives and learn from masters in their fields. Dance allows you the space to find your creative voice and realise what you can bring to the world.”
 

“The Design programme’s focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals was a big drawcard for me. It’s not just about designing pretty things. We need solutions to the growing number of crises happening on our planet. I love how the programme is pushing me to think about global issues in the context of problem-solving rather than problem-finding.”

My main project

“The big project that I’m working on at the moment is called The Future of X, where we undertake research into a field of design of our own choice, interview experts in the field and from that, create our own unique insight into the area.

“I am looking at sustainable biomimicry; it’s basically tapping into nature’s evolution – 3.8 billion years of reiterations and redesigns – to inform solutions to our problems. I am less interested in using biomimicry to inspire form and material, rather looking into the different processes that make nature infinitely sustainable and how to learn from them to design systems of our own.”

A focus on process

“The most useful thing I’ve learned on the course so far is ‘process’. We don’t just learn how to design, we learn why to design, what to design and who to design for. It’s taking a step back and saying we must figure out why we are even doing this in the first place by making informed and considered decisions. For decades to come, I can see myself referring back to the processes and models I’m learning this year.”

What is design
“Design isn’t about putting a fresh coat of paint on a project. It goes so much deeper, into truly thinking about the core problems that our users, stakeholders and the broader world are facing. It’s about meeting passion with purpose.

Study life
“The Design Programme is full of people from many different backgrounds and values. I’ve really enjoyed working on projects with and beside them. Building these connections has helped to shape who I am and who I want to be. You truly feel like you’re entering a space where you belong as a designer.

“The Design studios are amazing, from their location to the tools and materials available, and most importantly, the people. A lot of the tools needed for success, such as computers and software, are readily available. The FabLab is a great place to prototype and develop models, and the technicians are always happy to help.

Hands-on learning
“One of the best things about our lecturers is that they have industry experience. This means their teaching is based on experience with design in the real world. They are always great to chat with about your studies or about design careers.

“I love how practical Design and Computer Science is as a conjoint. You learn how to develop a stellar project and gain the technical skills to implement it yourself.”
 

“I knew Elam was going to be challenging for me because I had a traditional training in art. I learned that there are seriously no boundaries in art and to accept all forms and moments in art. I learned to justify and consider all my decisions in order to create a really robust practice that still has plenty of room to move forward. I’m comfortable enough in my own practice that I don’t mind operating on the periphery or defining my own path.”

Conjoint programmes

“A conjoint gives you breathing space to explore ideas and develop them in other ways that aren’t producing an ‘art’ outcome. I loved my BA in Māori Studies and Media, Film and Television. It pushed me to research and write, which is the core of an art practice. I found it fulfilling and interesting, it really complemented my time at Elam.”

Sharing my art internationally

“Learning how to beat aute and working out how to paint on it has been the highlight of my career. I’ve exhibited in Hong Kong and I’ve been invited to participate in the Kathmandu Triennale. I’ve had collectors purchase my work, but creating the first piece of art someone buys in their life is a special feeling too.”

Follow your heart

“If you know in your heart that you are an artist, honour yourself and go to art school. If you know you are a creative thinker, then art school is the place for you.”

*The School has now replaced its Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) degree with a new Bachelor of Fine Arts, which includes 11 conjoint options.

Pursuing my ambitions

“Having grown up in a large, low-income family in West Auckland, it was my dream to offset the inequities we’ve faced over the years. My family are really proud that I pursued my ambitions.

“I was sold on the School’s conceptual focus of art-making because I also have a passion for research and wanted to delve into more critical thinking. The supervisors and lecturers are the loveliest. I always felt supported.

My evolving practice

“It takes resilience to accept criticism, especially when you feel connected to your art. Over the years, I’ve learnt to tighten up my practice. The criticisms lessened, and my art felt more resolved.

“There is no need to abandon who you are to succeed in the contemporary art world. And that goes especially for Māori and Pacific students. During my first two years, I struggled and tried to make art that seemed appropriate. It was only when I started exploring who I was and where I came from that I excelled – both in figuring out the histories of my people, and in the classroom.

Career

“If you have a passion for art, there are career options far beyond working in a gallery or as an artist. Elam teaches more than just art, and you can always branch out with electives.

“In my role as a policy analyst, I have found that I can apply a different perspective to policy issues from the skills I picked up at Elam. I’ve often suggested options that others in my team didn’t think of.

“Mauria te pono. Believe in yourself.”

Shifting my thinking and practice
“What I love about art is being able to create, express and share. I’m constantly learning about myself, my environment and everything else.

“Studying Fine Arts taught me to put aside what I thought I knew and wanted to do. This allowed me to express myself in new ways and with a range of materials that I didn’t previously think were possible. When I returned to portrait painting, my understanding of the subject and the look of my work had changed. I had a whole new appreciation of what I was creating and why.

“Critical thinking was one of the most valuable skills I learned from my degree. I also realised that an idea can be communicated in infinite ways, and I don’t have to restrict myself to one form of creativity. Ultimately, this helped me in creating more authentic work.

Why Elam
“I chose to study at Elam because I was captivated by the resources and the diverse classes on offer. The number of established artists from Aotearoa New Zealand who have graduated from the School was also reassuring.

My current focus
“Currently, my main focus is on my art. I paint out of a small studio in Auckland three to four days a week and recently exhibited my paintings in two group shows. Through these projects, I am building up towards a solo show. I hope to keep connecting and collaborating through art and see what evolves.”
 

“Our final exams were actually a favourite of mine! We got to organise, arrange and direct a full-on performance. That challenged me all-round, and I drew upon skills I’d never used previously. During regular classes, I really enjoyed the ‘break out’ collaborative sessions. We took a concept and criteria and wrote together in a short timeframe. That’s stressful, but exactly how things are in the real world – so if you cope during those lectures, you can feel very confident for the future.”

Rehearsal spaces and assignments

“The rehearsal and studio spaces were another highlight. I was in there almost every day working on projects and collaborating. I won’t shy away from the fact that I’m actually a bit of a geek. I found the music analysis assignments extremely satisfying. The idea of writing essays was a bit spooky, but those assignments changed the way I perceived and experienced music.”

My gap year

“I took a gap year in 2018 and chased the music grind in Australia, freelancing and working with Warner Music. Since graduating, I’ve branched out further internationally, mixing and co-producing. And I’m now manager for another BMus graduate, JARNA. She’s come so far so quickly!”

Giving back

“I want to give back to the next generation of talented musicians, so I decided to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. The music industry is evolving at a rapid pace. Our young musicians deserve to know what it’s really like, and what skills are most beneficial.”

My inspiration

“I work as a violin tutor at Sistema Aotearoa, a music and social development programme based in Ōtara, South Auckland. My style of teaching is inspired by how I was taught violin at the School of Music.

“When my parents came to New Zealand from Tonga, music was all they had. Music brings my family together and it’s a common ground for everyone. That’s why I chose to follow music as a career.

 My studies and conducting experience

“Throughout my degree, I studied chamber music, conducting, choir, brass ensemble, string ensemble, and orchestra, in addition to solo lessons. I was also very lucky to make life-long friends through baroque and chamber groups.

“The lecturers and tutors in the School of Music are all very friendly. I’m so grateful for the support they offered.

“In 2022, I had the incredible experience of conducting musicians of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of the Pasifika Conductors Masterclass. We received guidance from an internationally renowned conductor. What stood out to me was how the musicians were so helpful and down to earth. It was the experience of a lifetime.

“If you’re thinking about studying Music at the University of Auckland, just go for it!”

A gateway to knowledge
“I’d always wanted a better understanding of the world, country, and system I live in. This degree is a gateway to that knowledge. It offers study in a broad variety of areas, such as environmental planning, heritage planning, transportation planning, economic development and much more.

Policies, regulations and laws
“Every course has deepened my knowledge of central and local government – and the many policies, regulations, and laws that dictate how our country will plan and develop over time.

“I’ve built understanding through very engaging discussions, lectures and assignments based around planning and cultural theory and their implications on the planning field. I now appreciate the varied social, economic, and environmental problems that affect the world around us. I’m also learning how to strategically apply this understanding to achieve better outcomes in the future.

Broad skills and interests
“Most people are a little unsure about what to study at university. It’s difficult to commit yourself when you don’t really understand what you’re getting into. I found that Urban Planning enabled me to develop a variety of skills, along with a broad understanding of law, policy, economics, politics and design. It allowed me to pursue many interests, and this gives me the flexibility to follow a variety of career paths.

Social atmosphere
“The social atmosphere is great due to smaller class sizes and the spaces provided for both work and relaxation. This fosters a friendly, interactive environment – and a lot of fun nights out!”
 

A varied programme with friendly classmates
“I liked the idea of an interdisciplinary degree that incorporates social sciences, environmental sciences, economics and design. No day is ever boring. The courses are very relevant to current social issues, and they offer avenues for creativity and collaboration.
“My lecturers were very approachable and also considerate of our workload and wellbeing. I got to know my classmates well, as we stayed together throughout the four years. Having familiar faces in my classes really helped.
Industry mentoring
“In my final year, I took part in the NZPI Emerging Planners Mentoring Programme and was partnered with a principal planner at Auckland Council. It was great to connect with professionals in the field and apply the knowledge I’d gained to real situations.
“As a resource consent planner, a large part of my role is ensuring that residential development proposals reflect the intended vision for Auckland’s urban form and adequately manage adverse effects arising from the proposed activity.
The art of Urban design
“Being involved in planning is like influencing the brushstrokes in a painting. You can either make a mess or an artwork. Similarly, with the city, you can positively influence its direction and growth, creating solutions for the present and the future.”
 

Watch Charlie talk about his experience as a Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) student.
In particular, he describes how his studies with us made him highly employable.