NEWSROOM

Bold shapes and bright colours at staff jewellery making workshops

24 May 2022

University of Auckland staff and students had the opportunity to unleash their creative potential at a series of jewellery making workshops run by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The free 90-minute workshop was designed to be easy entry and had participants making a bespoke pair of earrings, key chain, or brooch with the support of student Creative Technologists. They learned how to use Adobe Illustrator to create their designs, laser-cut them out of colourful acrylic, and assemble them using the free tools and materials available at the Unleash Space maker space.

Unleash Space Manager Sean Kelly says “Staff are such an important stakeholder group for us, and these workshops have proven to be a fantastic low-barrier way of introducing them to the maker space. We turn them into advocates of our wide range of programmes and events by providing a fun, creative project that explores their potential for making. The goal is that they walk away feeling confident about communicating our offerings to students and inspired to return and experiment with our equipment themselves.

“This was also an opportunity to flip the classroom and unleash the ‘playful curiosity’ of our staff. We have had feedback that staff enjoy learning from students, and our team of student Creative Technologists love teaching staff about the digital tools and technologies available at Unleash Space, often using their own passion projects as examples.”

Professor Jennifer Craig from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences was inspired to sign up for a workshop because she’s always loved making and creating but finding the time around her busy schedule is a challenge. She says, “These short workshops are a snatched opportunity to indulge in learning a new skill and be inspired to design something different. It was a fantastic no-stress way to learn something new in a supervised environment, and connect with like-minded individuals from across the University. 

“For those with little time, Unleash Space is like Aladdin’s Cave – whether you just want to try out something different as a personal project or are looking to design a prototype for taking to commercialisation. Anyone can (and should) give these workshops a go. There’s no prep required – just turn up, give it your best shot and you’ll walk away with a new skill, a unique creation, and a head bursting with ideas of where to go next!”

The Business School marketing team saw an opportunity to use the jewellery making workshop as a team-building exercise. Communications and Marketing Manager Samantha Edge says “The workshop was such a fun and unique experience for the entire team – it was really cool to see everyone’s creative side coming out. The Creative Technologists were so lovely, patient, and informative with us and it was good to understand some of the opportunities available through Unleash Space. Would definitely recommend other teams to give it a go!”

Following the success of the jewellery making workshops and feedback that staff would like more opportunities to experience the maker space, the team at CIE are now working on developing Matariki themed workshops to take place in June as well as Christmas ornament workshops for the end of the year. 

Unleash Space is free for all staff and students at the University of Auckland. Sign up for CIE newsletters to hear about upcoming workshops and events.