Nimasha Fernando
Master of Design student
For Nimasha Fernando, identity is at the very heart of her Master of Design research.
“My research – which is supervised by Caroline Powley and Dr George Hajian – is about exploring my identity as a Sri Lankan tauiwi growing up in Aotearoa, what it was and still is like moving in between places of belonging and home, and how these stories can be translated into glyphs. I’m working with three scripts: Latin (English and Te Reo Māori), Sinhala and Tamil. Letters are the visual form of a language, and languages connect us to our culture and community. How can my letterforms be used as a tool to explore my whakapapa?”
She says one of her favourite things about AUT’s Master of Design is its structure.
“I love that the programme runs for a year and a half, and the first semester really allows you to develop and refine your project before you begin your thesis. It's basically a mini-honours project that sets you up for success.”
Sharing her work with the public
Nimasha – who moved up from Pōneke Wellington for postgraduate study and expects to graduate from AUT in 2027 – has already had a few proud achievements in her studies so far.
“My typography work was selected as one of the winning entries in the FiftyFifty competition and exhibited at Stanford University as part of ATypI 2026. I received a Certificate of Excellence, which will be exhibited again at ATypI 2026 in Sharjah, UAE, this October. I also enjoyed doing a student exchange at Silo 6 in Wynyard where we could make our research public. Open Silo was such a treat, as we got to share our thinking, making and process with the public rather than a final polished outcome. This has changed the trajectory of how I’ll present my work for our final exhibition. Big aroha to Emily O’Hara, our wonderful head of department, for organising that for us!”
She has some great advice for other students who are considering postgraduate study in art and design at AUT.
“If you're like me and feel you can do more, as long as you're willing to put in the mahi and are passionate and dedicated, you can always start again.”
Supported to thrive
For Nimasha, the staff are her favourite part of AUT.
“The art and design staff are incredible. I'm often up on level 7 of the WE building on the AUT City Campus, either screen printing, Riso printing or learning a new way to bind with our wonderful technicians – massive shoutout to Bronte Bell, Winston Shacklock and Fleur Williams!”
She is also grateful for the support from AUT’s health and wellbeing services.
“After leaving both my homes in Sri Lanka and Pōneke Wellington, I felt quite homesick. Although I’ve made friends with my lovely peers and already had mates in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland before moving here, I’d still find myself feeling alone and depressed. The AUT health and wellbeing services have been so helpful by giving me access to counselling, and to nurses and doctors who are aiding me with my process on antidepressants. Big mihi to the staff for always being so kind and patient!”
