A senior designer. An integral member of the Experience Team. And the self-titled 'Captain Fun'. 

Bryce brings a sound understanding of human-centred design, a focussed approach to problem-solving, and a great presence around the studio. 

Tell us a bit about yourself

My design journey started young. One of my earliest memories of it was spending time on Nan and Pop’s farm, where they would problem solve daily. I used to help out, and I was always fascinated by their process, whether it was fixing engines or creating new gadgets to find a solution. 

I first studied design at Natcoll, which is now called Yoobee (I guess that shows my age). Here, I got a diploma in graphic design, and then I kicked on and enrolled in Massey University – graduating with honours in graphic design. After finishing study, I went on to work at both a small (two person) agency and a large corporate organisation.

Beyond work, I love the outdoors. Being at the top of a mountain brings me peace, and navigating my way down on a snowboard is when I’m at my happiest. Occasionally I’ll enter the ocean for a surf, or enjoy a round of golf on the weekend. I used to play football at a relatively high level, but I gave that up due to the raft of other outdoor activities that I enjoy.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I wake up at about 6:00am each day and go to the gym. When I get to my desk, I have a list of tasks to complete or problems to solve – depending on the project, that list could change weekly or daily. I’ll then order it in terms of priority and work my way down throughout the day. Little jobs pop up frequently, but I find it’s important to make sure that I give myself enough time to complete my list.

Is there a particularly large challenging task you’ve come across in the past year?

Making the shift from an in-house team to an agency has been a big change, but one that I have really enjoyed. To me, it’s important to have a variety of design challenges. Having the privilege of working for different clients with different products is incredibly satisfying and rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about working here?

For me, it’s a combination of everything. The great people, the supportive environment, the amazing clients, and the meaningful work. I couldn’t ask for more.

This might sound like a marketing pitch, but this place is really different from what I imagined working at an agency would be like. Springload is about putting people first, not only in the sense of digital experiences that we create, but Springload puts you first as an employee. It’s like I have 80 extra family members supporting me.

What has surprised you about working here?

I was surprised to learn that sometimes we turn down clients based on alignment with our values. We make the things that matter better, and if clients don’t seem like a good fit, we won’t pitch for their work. My personal approach and outlook are aligned with these values too, so I like that as a company we are actively putting them into practice. 

What does 2019 have in store for you?

It’s an exciting time to be an experience designer. There are plenty of emerging technologies to experiment with, and many existing areas to spread knowledge. The more we can teach our ways of thinking, and design great experiences, the better!

If you told your 10-year-old self what you do for a living – what would they say?

Why aren’t you a fireman?