Thomas Masters

Freelance Designer
Bachelor of Design in Interaction Design

He enjoys collaborating with others, says Thomas Masters who studied a Bachelor of Design in Interaction Design and now works as a freelance designer.

“Being able to translate others’ ideas into the real world is extremely valuable and one of the reasons I wanted to pursue design as a career. I’ve been working on amazing projects in different areas including graphic design for events, creating brands’ visual systems and guidelines, and working with UX/UI.

“Most of my work so far has been with companies that don’t specialise in design, so my role stands out from most of the other employees. You learn so much from them in such a small space of time, and seeing how much of an impact they have has been a really awesome thing to be a part of. Another favourite part for me is that I’m still learning, whether it's on the job or just trying to find ways I can expand my toolkit as a designer by learning more about related subjects like marketing and advertising.”

Finding his path
Thomas admits that he wasn’t always sure what he wanted to study at university; initially trying quantity surveying and creative technologies before he realised that the design-focused projects were what he enjoyed the most.

“While I was studying creative technologies at AUT, I was working in the screen-printing lab and met some design students who recommended the Bachelor of Design. I had always been interested in the hands-on physical practice of design and the arts, but wanted to see how it would be applied through tech, which is what led me to pursue interaction design.

“The staff and peers I met were some of the best parts of my time at AUT. The lecturers were supportive and encouraging about looking into different techniques and methods of practice. My lecturers helped me see how certain media could help strengthen my capstone’s usability and steered me away from overextending myself. I also admired the passion and approach of Sophie Cairns, one of the teaching assistants. As someone who had been in the industry and had completed the AUT degree, her insights into which direction I should go, either graphic or interaction design, were helpful.”

There is one achievement he is especially proud of throughout his three years at AUT.

“For my final-year capstone project, I was awarded the Toi Māia Award for Cultural Contribution to Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Knowledge. It’s something I'm very proud of as I met the aim of my brief, incorporating traditional cultural knowledge. The project taught me a lot through the process of researching and referencing the teachings that had been passed down by members of my family within the wider community.”

Advice for other students
Having graduated from AUT at the end of 2024, Thomas has some great advice for other students who are thinking about studying art and design.

“My advice is to really take advantage of the facilities and make sure you’re looking at ways to become a better designer through understanding how projects work from start to finish.”

The feedback you get on your work is invaluable, he adds.

“Seek feedback often. I found that the critiques I received on my work have helped me structure how I work now in freelancing. But don’t be afraid to push the boundaries and go against the norm – that’s where your best work will come from.”