“Success Has Its Timing”
An Interview with New Zealand Graphic Designer Teesha Masson
After acquiring some knowledge of Central and South America’s design scene we’re travelling to Oceania to chat with a talented graphic designer and fashion photographer from New Zealand. Teesha Masson has talked about her career, style and plans.
Please, briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Teesha, and I’m a 21-year-old photographer and graphic designer from Wellington, New Zealand. I spend most of my time working but I enjoy it, and most of the rest of my time eating amazing food. Haha!
I know quite a few people who would love to live in New Zealand. Is it really so lovely to live there?
I personally love New Zealand. It’s a country with just enough balance of everything to live in. The only downside is with being so small lots of bands don’t visit us here.
But film-makers do! The entire world is jealous of you hosting the crew of the films The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. But back to business! How did you become first interested in typography / graphic design?
I realised in school when I was about 15 that I just enjoyed my computer classes most out of everything. I found it really easy to get the hang of everything and loved playing with laying out things to make them look nice. Then I worked towards studying graphic design as soon as I left high school.
Could you talk a bit about New Zealand’s design traditions and your relation to them?
I guess when people talk about New Zealand design, it’s mainly based on the tribal side of things. Usually most of my works aren’t related to this as it’s not part of my personal heritage. I appreciate tribal designs as they can be quite beautiful and you have to be very talented to create these works but, for me personally, it’s not my style of design.
What should we know about the design education?
The place I studied was Yoobee School of Design in Wellington. This school was amazing, very hands-on working style with assignments that set you up for the real-world workplace, with some courses you actually have to find yourself proper clients for the assignments. The school specialises in computer design; from game development courses, digital media to animation. I obtained a degree in computer graphic design.
How would you describe your style?
One-colour, clean, simplistic and geometrical.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I have a few. My co-workers and my partner are awesome photographers to work alongside and seeing their photography motivates and pushes me to grow further with my work. Any time I see something online — whether it’s photography or design, on Pinterest or an actual design portfolio — I make sure I save it, and I try to print out weekly or monthly inspirational works to have on my wall at work. Lastly, but definitely not least: My Mum. She inspires me to try my hardest and be my best, I couldn’t do it without her.
What is your motto?
Success has its timing.
Print or digital?
That’s a tough one! I’m quite big on logo design so that side of things usually is digital based but I love creating branding and packaging so I would have to say print.
Black & white or colours?
Another tough one! I usually like using black and white with just the use of one colour. So I guess I’ll say colour.
What is the concept behind your identity?
Basically, just to reflect the type of design that I enjoy most. Something a little bit quirky and fun but really clean. Quite visual so you understand by just looking at my CV for example without having to read a lot.
What slogan would you use to advertise yourself?
It’s the simple choice.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
Being a self-employed graphic designer and photographer when I was only 20 years old.
What do you think the most overrated thing is in the world today?
Reliance on social media and phones. The amount of times you try to have a conversation with someone and they’re staring at their phone instead of communicating is a bit sad.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Dave Grohl! Drummer from Nirvana, frontman from the Foo Fighters, plus loads more. He is an inspiration to me. He self-taught himself basically everything he knows and has been so successful, still remains so humble.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a few different logo designs and I’m actually working as a full-time fashion photographer so that’s keeping me busy.
What are your plans for the future?
To travel — as I’ve never been out of New Zealand. While I’m travelling, to do lots of photography to document my journeys and hopefully do graphic design all over the world.
Originally published at //hypeandhyper.com/en/a-siker-a-maga-idejeben-erkezik/.
