Degrees of Creativity

Ten years ago, Hannah Wynn was hurtling down the fast lane towards a career in business or architecture, when her trajectory took a surprising turn. Wanting a change, she stumbled upon the newly created Bachelor of Creative Industries at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and she hasn’t looked back.

“I'd always worked in administrative and management roles, so was considering studying business to further my career, or implementing a complete plot twist.”

She originally enrolled in the Diploma of Architectural Technology, and although the kaimahi and fellow ākonga were amazing, she says something didn’t feel right. At the end of her first week she spoke with a graphic design tutor who encouraged her to sit in on one of his classes and Hannah says the rest is history.

“In the words of the great Missy Elliot, flip it and reverse it. My whole life changed. I found out there was a lot more to art and design than I previously thought. And better yet, I found out I loved it.”

Fast forward to 2024, and the Bachelor of Creative Industries (BCI) is the only degree of its kind in the Bay of Plenty and celebrated 10 years of shaping the region’s next generation of creatives. Toi Ohomai Academic Lead Nicol Sanders-O‘Shea says celebrating 10 years of the course was not just a milestone for the institute, but for the Bay of Plenty art and design industry and local community.

Wave Agency Director Brendan Herring believes creativity provides the competitive edge, enabling organisations to out-wit their competition.

“Degrees like the Toi Ohomai BCI, re-invigorates those natural creative tendencies in students which is important for businesses wanting to stand out and be noticed.”

For Hannah, the BCI was a solid foundation and on graduation she landed her first job with the ‘Little Big Events’ team. Ten years on, she is now an established name in the industry, having worked with numerous commercial businesses and projects within the public sector. She started the inaugural Zinefest while studying with BCI bestie, Lynette Fisher. She also feels privileged to work within Māori spaces, creating design outcomes for several iwi, and local legend Julie Paama-Pengelly.

Hannah believes the BCI changed the direction of her life, and is thankful for the support, belief and opportunities it has thrown her way. Recently, she was offered a new pathway at Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga whānau, as the Kaiwhakahaere Wheako (Experience Manager) which she starts in January 2025.

Tauranga Art Gallery Director Sonya Korohina says numerous BCI graduates have worked at the gallery in a range of skill areas, from technical to marketing and graphic design.

“The qualification is an excellent pathway into industry and growing the local creative economy.”

Visual Arts graduate Cheyenne Rose found the BCI degree gave her the right balance between art and business. 

“One of the most important lessons was how to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, drawing on not only my strengths and skills, but of others around me too. The BCI gave me licence to grow, it pushed me outside of my comfort zone, this has been crucial in my current role, where I regularly present and communicate ideas.”

After completing the BCI, Cheyenne gained a scholarship with Project Ignite, where she received mentorship from industry professionals. This stepping-stone led her to pursue a Master’s degree at Elam School of Art and a part-time job at a gallery assisting with curation and collaborating with artists. She soon jumped at an unpaid opportunity with Customer Experience (CX) design which led to a career in CX and UX (User Experience) design, working with some of New Zealand’s leading telecommunications and insurance companies. 

“Although corporate design wasn’t initially my plan, I’ve found it rewarding to apply my critical and conceptual skills in human-centred design.”

This year while working full-time she also launched her own business named Plain Design. Creating custom surface pattern designs for businesses to use on their products and packaging.

Art + Body Creative Studio Director Julie Paama-Pengelly rates the BCI as a major player in the visibility and availability of Māori creative talent in the Bay of Plenty region.

“Graduates have always been desirable in my arts business but I am constantly amazed at where I see them, visible throughout our main local industries and becoming part of a diverse, thriving creative identity."

Nicol recognises it takes a diverse and devoted team to deliver the BCI and says she’s lucky to have tutors who are award-winning creatives. Each of them specialising in their own fields including design, typography, digital illustration, sculpture, printmaking, moving image, performance art, Tā moko, textile and sustainable fashion design, and painting.

She says her team is made up of reflective practitioners who continually evolve and upskill to teach the latest creative technologies. As industry adapts to new technology, so too do the BCI graduates, gaining new skills to succeed in creative workplaces. A significant change has been the emergence of AI as a design tool, which Nicol says industry is adjusting to quickly, learning the benefits and pitfalls, therefore graduates need to be prepared.

“We are teaching how to use AI and the ethical impacts, to be industry-ready for the changing approach to design thinking, saving time and reducing financial impacts on business without compromising quality and authenticity.”

What Hannah wasn’t expecting from the BCI was the sense of belonging and industry contacts she made.

“The learning environment was incredible. I felt so safe and supported, to learn, make mistakes, and push boundaries.

“But really the BCI gave, and continues to give, me the best C word — community. That's honestly the biggest thing I got out of it.”

Creative Bay of Plenty Strategy and Capability Lead Annie Hill, says the BCI is unique and highly respected by those in the creative sector. 

“This is primarily due to the deep engagement with external stakeholders, particularly those working in related professions, and the focus on developing skills with strong practical applications underpinned by a good understanding of international best practice.”

Guest tutor and specialist arts consultant Liz Cooper says the BCI nurtures emerging talents in the Bay, equipping students with the ability to develop their creative skills and  strategies as arts professionals.

“Beyond Toi Ohomai I see graduates making their place and shaping distinctive and intriguing careers.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Creative Industries degree at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Tauranga go to:

https://www.toiohomai.ac.nz/study/course/bachelor-creative-industries

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