In a real-life learning exercise, branding concepts generated and developed by EIT design students are to be integrated into an arboretum in northern Hawke’s Bay.

Over the last few years, EIT’s School of Arts and Design has been progressively promoting a project-based approach to learning. So when the Guthrie-Smith Trust – which oversees the management
of the arboretum at Tutira – sought input from Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design students in designing signage, the idea quickly grew legs.

Lecturers brainstormed the proposal, says Head of School Dr Suzette Major, and the trust adopted their proposal to widen the brief into a branding assignment for 22 second-year students.

Four teams created diverse preliminary concepts for buildings, educational material, sculptures, signage, logos and letterheads.Feedback from the trust board then guided the teams in evolving designs to final presentation stage.

Elements of the students’ work will now be incorporated in branding the repository of tree species as an educational and recreational destination for the people of New Zealand.

Dr Major said the exercise encapsulated aspects EIT considers most significant in teaching the degree programme.

“By taking on such projects we are giving our students real-life experiences. This encourages them to work collaboratively and flexibly, and that helps shape graduates who are ready to take their place in the industry.”