In the world of design, inspiration can come from anywhere, and often in the most unlikely of places.
For Teya Cranley (Year 10), her passion for Design and Technology (DT) was ignited when she built a miniature horse barn with her dad at the age of eight, and since that day her enthusiasm for hands-on projects has only grown stronger.
“I have always loved creating and designing projects with my dad,” Cranley recalled.
With plans to pursue a design-related career in the future, Teya believes studying DT at Pymble will be the perfect stepping stone to help her achieve her goals.
“I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was 12, and DT has always been something I was interested in. It’s been my favourite subject since I started high school,” she said.
One of Teya’s proudest achievements during her time studying DT is her illumination project – a stunning lamp inspired by an Indian light fixture in her home that projects colourful patterns across the walls.
The road to completion wasn’t without its challenges, however, it was these challenges that highlighted Teya’s determination to succeed and desire to produce an excellent final result.
“It took a while for me to create my light as I kept changing my mind, but after some help from Mr Kutukoff and figuring out the laser cutter, I was really happy with the finished product,” Cranley said.
For Teya, DT is more than just a subject; it’s a gateway to understanding important concepts that influence her life and the world around her, where she learns practical skills to carry with her beyond the classroom and into the future.
“DT is such a hands-on, creative subject which is very practical and helpful in everyday life. It’s so handy to know and understand how things are put together and how to use different tools,” said Cranley.
Teya’s creative process often begins with a simple concept, drawing inspiration from Pinterest and other sources before sketching multiple versions of her designs.
The fluidity in her approach reflects her adaptability and willingness to refine her work until she’s completely content, saying “I tend to change my mind so much throughout my projects.”
Looking ahead to the future, Teya’s ambitions are firmly set on a career in architecture. She plans to study at the University of Queensland, with dreams of one day “opening [her] own architecture firm.”
But her lofty ambitions don’t stop there; Teya’s also exploring construction management and interior design, with an upcoming work experience placement at a construction company booked in to gain further experience in the field.
“There’s also a unit on architecture next year in DT that I’m really looking forward to,” Cranley shared enthusiastically.
It’s clear from Teya’s story that DT has fostered creativity, resilience and a sense of purpose within her, and we can’t wait to see how she continues to build on this in the years to come.
