Rowan Jackman

I love Design! Growing up as a young boy I was forever taking things apart, it fascinated me to see how, and why objects worked the way they did. After dismantling something to its core, I would then make it my mission to re-build it and have it function again. As I entered my teenage years I began spending my free time designing and making pieces of furniture - such as stools, cabinets and drawers, floor lamps and hanging pendants. During this period I developed an appreciation and importance of the quality of craftsmanship that I feel is vital when producing work.

After gaining a Merit endorsement in visual design in High School, I spent 6 months studying Architecture.

It was during this time that a particular project opened my eyes to the fact that I was not quite on the right study path, close, but I was not yet stimulated to my full potential. The particular project was to create an extraordinary object from multiple 'mundane' objects. After visiting several local bicycle shops I gathered old wheels, cassettes, chains and cables and created a hanging light, with chandelier-like qualities. The overwhelmingly positive response from my Tutors, combined with my thorough enjoyment of the project resulted in me enrolling to study Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Industrial Design.

It is here, at Victoria that I feel I'm creatively engaged to my maximum. I am forever being inspired, pushed, stretched, as well as learning new techniques and methods of developing ideas to resolved solutions.

In conjunction with initial drawing and sketch-modelling, being exposed to prototyping and production techniques such as multi-property 3D printing, CNC-lathing and routing and laser cutting alongside more traditional methods such as wood working and turning, welding and model making has ensured I remain in-touch with the hands-on aspect of creation that initially spurred my passion for design.

I feel great excitement as I'm exposed to and develop new skills, and refine those I have gained already. It is this excitement that drives me to pursue a successful career of creativity and design.