Balancing full-time roles with demanding student deadlines is no easy task, and we celebrate their dedication, perseverance and success.
Among them is Senior Lecturer and Subject Coordinator for concept design at Ngā Pae Māhutonga School of Design, Dr Tanya Marriott.
Dr Tanya Mariott
Dr Marriott has been with Massey since 2009, when she began teaching animation and illustration. More recently, she led the development of the concept design specialisation.
“Concept design explores the visualisation and development of worlds, characters and stories for entertainment media. That includes film, animation, games, toys and experience design. I teach across honours and master's levels, focusing on toys, experience design and play.”
This semester, she is teaching her favourite paper: Play Research and Design.
“It explores themes of nature play close to my doctoral research. Students design games and toys for the Kiwi Conservation Club that encourage children to engage with nature.”
Her recently completed PhD investigated how eco-fiction character toys can help children reconnect with the natural world, through her Underfoot toy range themed around the nitrogen cycle. Dr Marriott integrated natural materials like soil, leaves and water as part of the play experience.
“The decline in nature play is sometimes called ‘nature deficit disorder’. It can affect children’s ability to self-actualise and form relationships with the non-human world. My research looked at how toys can be a bridge back to that connection.”
Underfoot was recognised with a Core77 Design Award, and she has presented her research findings at the International Toy Research Association and the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany.
Dr Marriott’s love of toy design started early.
“When I was 10, I made my own Star Wars figures out of polymer clay. My dad helped me articulate the limbs with soldering wire. That formative experience shaped my career, as I went onto work in the UK toy industry.”
Though she always knew she wanted to do a PhD, she delayed the journey while caring for her father, who sadly passed away last year.
“The delight on his face when he saw my toys and heard I’d finished was a wonderful gift. You could say this has been a lifelong passion. And now I can be Dr Toy!”
Completing a PhD part-time while working full-time wasn’t without its challenges.
“There were isolating moments and tricky role-switching between staff and student. But I found great support in conversations with my students and peers. There's a vulnerability in being a mature student, but that openness is key to staying curious.”
This year’s graduating staff members also include:
- Ani Roelofsz – Bachelor of Design
- Daniel Parker – Bachelor of Business
- Jeroen Burmanje – Master of Health Science
- Virginia Ghiglione – Master of Fine Arts
- Alicia Cui – Master of Management
- Kirsty Anderson – Doctor of Philosophy
Congratulations once again to all our graduating staff.
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