Kayla Newman
Technology Teacher, Onehunga High School
Master of Design with Honours (First Class)
Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design
She has always loved being creative and hands-on, says Kayla Newman who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design, soon followed by a Master of Design.
“Whether it was painting, photography, product design or woodwork, I knew that I wanted to do something where I could use my creativity to make cool stuff. So as a wide-eyed high school student, I was very impressed by the AUT open day. I was amazed by the workshop and all the facilities AUT had to offer. Ceramics, laser cutting, 3D printing, printmaking – it seemed like AUT had a bit of everything for me to try.
“While I was studying at AUT, I would spend hours and hours and late nights in the industrial design studio space with my peers, crunching before a deadline. The amazing culture meant that we could bounce ideas off each other, get constructive feedback or find someone to have a drink with at the uni bar. I came away with some lifelong friends. The digital fabrication lab and technicians were amazing, and the art and design staff were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. They did everything they could to help us bring our ideas to life and get a last-minute prototype done before a deadline.”
Being able to work on design research during postgraduate study was another highlight for her.
“My master’s design research was around neonatal care and looking into how whānau who have premature or unwell pēpi have to navigate a whole whirlwind of information that can become overwhelming. In response to this, I designed a series of milestone magnets. I was also fortunate to spend the summer between my bachelor’s and master’s degree working with AUT Good Health Design Research Centre on a design project proposal for the Waitematā DHB website.”
Sharing her passion
After graduating with her master’s degree in 2024, Kayla now loves her role as a technology teacher at Onehunga High School.
“I get to share my passions with young people and it’s really awesome to help them bring their ideas to life. I truly believe there are so many benefits to studying technology, whether you choose a career in it or not. You learn so many life skills, like problem-solving and critical thinking.”
She considers this role the perfect match for her.
“I love that I get to be creative and continue working in a studio or workshop environment. I found that it was quite challenging to find a job that wasn’t 70% admin and desk work. I love being hands-on, so working in a school is perfect for me.”
Advice for other students
Kayla has some great advice for other students who are thinking about studying art and design.
“Keep your mind open to learning and don’t leave your assignments to the last minute – even though we all know that procrastination brings out the best ideas.”
Make the most of your time at university, she adds.
“Take advantage of everything AUT has to offer. Go to random seminars, events and symposiums that AUT hosts, even if they aren’t in your subject area.”
