Sakura Suzuki Orgias
3rd-year student, Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mo te Hoahoa in Animation, Visual Effects and Game Design with minors in Design for Health & Temporary Practices / Temporary Publics
Coming to AUT to study design was easy for Sakura Suzuki Orgias who is in the final year of their Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mo te Hoahoa in Animation, Visual Effects and Game Design.
“I've had a love for arts ever since I was around four, and loved drawings and painting animals, dinosaurs and dragons. Around the age of 13, I shifted to digital art, using a touch-screen PC and a free drawing application. Over the years, I illustrated a lot of video game characters I imagined inserting into the games I was playing.
“I came to AUT as many of my friends recommended it for the incredibly strong artistic support. I've met so many different and interesting people and there's definitely a lot of freedom when it comes to how you work – implementing your own style and way of creating, even if it isn't the most linear or static. I'd 100% recommend joining AUT to those connected with arts. If you can follow what needs to be done for a project and have your own way of doing it, you'll most likely succeed – diversity in work is very much appreciated here.”
Expecting to graduate at the end of the year, Sakura also has a good idea how they see their future.
“Although I initially wanted to work in game design, this has become more of a hobby now. My partner already creates and codes games, so we want to create games together as an indie duo. But my main interest is actually in health design, and I’d love to work in this field and use my art to assist in disability aid, hospital pamphlets etc. One of my favourite projects I created as part of my degree was a colouring book for young kids and teens who have been recently diagnosed with arthritis. I'd love to follow that kind of path and create books, games and artwork for those who are assisted in their health.”
Supported to thrive
For Sakura, studying in such a supportive environment has been a highlight of their studies.
“The structure of each week really helps me out. Because I have a chronic illness – psoriatic arthritis – it's really nice to have only two or three days a week where I need to head out, as I can't predict when my body will give up. On days I can't make it to class, I've never been dismissed for my disability and have been able to work from home in most cases. I’ve found this very supportive, especially with the subjects I’m studying.
“One of the biggest challenges for me was when I failed a section of game design as I was having medical issues that caused me to avoid leaving the house for weeks on end. Because of this, the amount of work I produced was lacklustre and I wasn't able to pass the class. I was given the opportunity to retake that section of the class, free of charge, which I took as an incredible privilege.”
Sakura says there is one lecturer who made a particularly strong impression on them.
“Professor Steve Reay from my Design for Health minor was an incredible role model. He gives very detailed feedback. Instead of saying ‘fix this’, he takes your work and tries to have you critique it as if you're viewing the project as a stranger would. He is very open to having debates and conversations, whether in class or one on one, and is incredibly easy to talk to. I think Steve really assisted me with getting my creative juices flowing and developing ideas when I felt I was at a dead end.”
Advice for other students
Sakura has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“Don't be afraid to ask questions, ever. You're paying for your lecturers to help you! I was always afraid to ask questions, but it's vital for you to grow and learn. Connect with people around you and help each other – not only is it a great way to make friends, but sometimes you learn vastly different tips from your peers compared to your lecturers too.”
Beyond building connections with others, Sakura emphasizes the importance of being kind to yourself throughout the university journey.
“Getting good grades in general was something I became very proud of, as many students do. You'll always have some level of self-doubt before you get your grade, but when it comes back, it's rewarding and more comforting as time goes on. You have to remember that every single person here is learning, so even if your project feels unpolished, you're usually just being too hard on yourself.”
