Monica Joy Barbosa

Lighting Designer, Novii Lighting
Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design

When Monica Joy Barbosa first discovered spatial design, she immediately knew this was the discipline for her.

“I’ve always had a passion for design but I had trouble deciding which art and design discipline to choose. Spatial design stood out to me because of the different opportunities to further develop my growth. It also looked impressive and exciting. I just wanted in!”

Enrolling in AUT’s Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design was the right decision, Monica says.

“I think having that sense of community at AUT helped me develop as a collaborative designer, which I truly value. One of my favourite projects at AUT was creating an installation within Fort Lane. I learned to use different mediums of hand-drawn elements and renders to produce a certain look and feel for my project. Those sorts of techniques gave me a different perspective I can apply when I work on projects in my career now.”

Creating innovative solutions
After graduating at the end of 2018, Monica now loves applying what she has learnt during her time at university in her role as a lighting designer at Novii Lighting.

“My job involves a deep knowledge of progressive technology, an understanding of architecture and interior design, and an awareness of how light enhances the wellbeing in these spaces. I work on projects that involve custom creative and technical design solutions across a range of industries, including commercial, retail, hospitality and healthcare.”

She loves working in such an innovative environment.

“I enjoy using different software to fully create the vision for each project. We’re currently exploring the use of VR to better understand and guide our clients through each space. It’s quite rewarding to see a completed design on site.”

The support to succeed
She is grateful for the support of AUT’s Employability and Careers team, Monica says.

“I benefitted a lot from the services offered by AUT’s Employability and Careers team, and they helped me find my current job. When I went to see them, I immediately felt at ease because everything was clear from the start. The staff were very helpful and friendly, which made the whole process of looking for a job less daunting.”

Make the most of the opportunities available to you at AUT, Monica advises other students.

“My advice for other students is to grab every opportunity you’re given. You never know where it might lead you!”

_{*The Bachelor of Design is now known as Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa - Bachelor of Design.}