“Find inspiration [by] doing excessive research, adapting shapes and assembling them into a whole…”

– SARA DE PETRIS

Sara is a Visual and Spatial Designer with a background in Product and Industrial Design. Her work spans packaging, public art, and collaborative projects that explore creativity within constraints. She recently completed her first permanent public artwork and is currently developing a solo sculpture for Sculpture by the Bay 2026. Passionate about sustainability and design with purpose, Sara brings energy and innovation to every project.

What first brought you to NM TAFE, and what did you hope to achieve when you arrived?
I always knew I wanted to design, but I didn’t fully understand the scope of the field. I enrolled in Cert III in Design Fundamentals and suddenly a whole range of possibilities opened up. At first, I thought interior design might be the right fit for me, but the small classes at TAFE meant the lecturers really saw who I was. One of them recognised my strengths and encouraged me to explore Product Design. I am glad I followed that path.

What’s a defining memory or moment from your time at TAFE that has stayed with you?

I’ll never forget the pen project we worked on in class—it felt like laying the first stone. I ended up designing a whole range of Bauhaus inspired wooden pens that were all assembled out of simple geometric wooden components, shapes taken from the Triadic Ballet by Oskar Schlemmer. I might have identified my style in that moment. I still work like this. Finding inspiration, doing excessive research, adapting shapes and assembling them into a whole.

Which project, experience, or person most shaped your creative direction?

I want to acknowledge every lecturer I had – their input, knowledge, experience, and support all shaped me. I still work much like I was taught at TAFE, and it’s clear that the cardboard project we tackled toward the end of my studies left a lasting impression. Ironically, I didn’t enjoy it at the time; the limited material choices felt restrictive. Now, as a structural packaging designer, I see how those constraints can spark creativity and reveal the potential within a single medium.

How did studying at NM TAFE influence the way you work or think today?

What I always pride my time at TAFE for was the seriousness I received on the projects I worked on. It felt like a job and I felt taken seriously. We were free in making decisions and had our own creative space and desk provided. I learned that the exchange with other creatives is a crucial part of my practice now. I believe I learned the love for collaboration, remembering the time we regularly discussed our projects with the class.

What are you working on now, and what drives your current practice?

I discovered my passion for public art and my love for working with colour. This year I completed a collaboration with artist Denise Pepper and installed my first permanent public artwork. I continue to support artists with design tasks such as 3D modelling, graphic design, and fabrication advice. My background includes structural packaging design and work with a Perth-based public art fabricator. I’m now creating a solo sculpture for Sculpture by the Bay in February 2026.

What milestone or achievement in your career feels most connected to your TAFE experience?

One highlight of my journey has been collaborating with Denise Pepper. I first learned about her practice through my TAFE lecturer, Eric Schneider, who also introduced me to public art, a moment that ultimately shaped my decision to pursue this path. Later, by coincidence, Denise became one of my lecturers during further studies, making the connection even more meaningful.

What does being part of NM TAFE’s 125-year creative legacy mean to you?

I feel very proud being part of NM TAFE’s 125-year creative legacy. Knowing I am part of a large group of creatives who all have something in common and a connection that draws us back to the time we spent studying at TAFE. I learned that people have a lot of respect for the degree I achieved at TAFE, knowing I have knowledge and experience in a hands-on approach.