Fledgling graphic designers and illustrators Suné Wiehahn and Amelia Haliday are early birds in harnessing the winds of change at EIT’s School of Arts and Design.

The school, headed by arts marketing expert Dr Suzette Major, is the first in New Zealand to offer a project-based-learning arts and design degree.    

Launching next year, the reshaped Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design is aimed at enabling students to learn how creative industries work in practice and at producing graduates who can move seamlessly into the work force.    

As part of that emphasis, an intern work experience will be an option for gaining credits in the final year of the degree.

Suné and Amelia, both final-year students, embrace that thinking with internships at local design agencies.     

Suné says her internship at band has gone by so quickly, she can scarcely believe she’s been two years with the “design/ideas house” in Ahuriri.  When she finishes her studies she will join the band wagon full-time.

Graphics design lecturer Anthony Chiappin directed Amelia to Napier-based specialist communications company Tracta for a work experience interview which evolved into an internship with the “Heartland” agency.

When she left Havelock North High School, Suné wanted to study something she felt passionate about.    “That was arts and design,” she says. “I really love graphic design and illustration.”

Looking back on the last three years, she feels she’s thrived at EIT.  “The thing I’ve probably loved the most about the Arts and Design School is being able to fully explore who I am as a creative.”

Seeing herself as “country kid” from Crownthorpe, Amelia felt the need to strike out on her own after leaving school.  Moving to Auckland, she studied jewellery and graphic design for two years before returning to Hawke’s Bay.

Cross-crediting to EIT, she says she “came home and found it better”.

“In Auckland, I was one of 200 students and if you don’t keep up you get left behind.  That can easily happen if you’re unsure of what direction you want to pursue.”

Both students speak highly about their lecturers. Suné feels they nourish her talents and provide a creative environment in which to work.  Amelia considers them all “amazing”.

“They push us and want us to achieve,” she says.  “They all have good backgrounds.  Having worked in top positions, they have the experience behind them and their passion inspires us.”

Band creative director Alastair Mackie says Suné has fitted in well and is always keen to do what’s needed for the common cause.

 “From the start we found her fresh attitude and approach valuable and uplifting.  We always look forward to Thursdays – Suné’s intern day at band.”

Her upcoming move into a full-time job seems a natural move to both parties, and Al says Suné will continue to learn grow as a designer.

The work of both young women, together with that of their classmates, will feature in the Graduate Exhibition – part of EIT’s IS Showcase of end-of-year events – at the Hastings City Art Gallery from 17 November to 1 December.