Nicola Macklin is a 2009 graduate from the 3D Design (Industrial Design) program at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia.
Nicola, Welcome to Design Droplets. Thank you for taking the time to talk, could you please give a quick introduction on yourself.
I am from Christchurch New Zealand and moved to WA in 2006. In 2007 I knew it was time to formalize my passion for design by earning a degree. I loved the lifestyle that Perth offered so it seemed the perfect place for me to reside while studying towards my degree in 3D design at Curtin University. Before undertaking my studies I had a broad employment background I spent a number of years working as make-up artist while designing and creating my own range of jewelery under the label ‘DOT’ which was stocked in fashion boutiques in Christchurch and Wellingtion NZ. Feeling unsatisfied in my work that totally focused on aesthetics I knew I needed a total change so began working in the mines in WA as a Field Assistant. This was an experience which opened my mind to a whole new world that was a total contrast to my life in NZ.
I feel that my diverse background has really helped me with my design work as I feel as a designer it is important to be able to ‘wear many hats’ in order to be able to design successfully. Much of what I love about being a designer is having to be resourceful and adaptable to many different situations and project, it is important to appreciate the form and function of almost everything and not just pieces commonly known as ‘designer’ objects. I am continually asking myself, is there a better way this can function? why has that been designed that way? how can I make this better? I have to thank my upbringing and my Dad for most of my design ability and resourceful nature.His moto is ‘Why would you throw something away if you can fix it?…I was just lucky enough to be the one who got to hand him the screw driver, hold the torch and count the screws…univerversity has just formalised the education I got from him!
Can you tell me a bit about your final project?
Much of what I have been designing of late has a strong reference to, for lack of a better word ‘sustainability’ I have a strong interest in this area of design as I think all young designers of this era should! My interest in this area of design is about being resourceful and less wasteful in the way we design objects and also the materials we use within designs. My last major project for University was a website which I am still adding the final touches to and should be live by the end of Feb. The site is A Load of Old Rubbish. The idea of the site is to encourage users who visit the site to get ideas for upcycling everyday rubbish into useful items. Each month a new project is to be added to the site with instructions on how to make the project. Each project has been designed in a way to only use the most basic of tools that are found in most households. The intention of the site is to get people looking seriously at what they are putting in their bins and in turn reducing their overall waste.
I also hope that the site will encourage users to be more resourceful in general and get ‘making’ products rather than always buying! The site offers a ‘signup’ feature which means that members will get updates on all new projects. Each month will also feature a ‘contributor’ from the public who contributes their own upcycling project, there are so many great upcycling initiatives going on everyday that need to be shared. A Load of Old Rubbish is a matter of removing the ‘rubbish’ and ‘crafted’ nature of such upcycling projects and making them a desirable activity, not just something Granny does to save gladwrap…It is all about saving the planet on piece of rubbish at a time!
Which part of the design industry do you hope to venture into?
It is really important for me to enter an area of the design industry that I know is constructive and not destructive. If I could be involved in the ‘sustainable’ design industry it would be great, designing out problems rather than creating them, as one thing I have developed at uni is a ‘designer conscience’.
What would your dream project be, if you could design for anyone or design anything and put it into production?’
My dream job in the whole world is to one day design and build (myself) my own home using only found and recycled objects and basic and traditional techniques. There are so many projects that I would love and so many designers I would be honored to work with however, this is one dream project I have always had and one that I hope will some day actually be real!
