Samantha Hughes, Technology and Prototyping Adviser

As Technology and Prototyping Adviser at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), Sam draws on her practical product development experience to help University of Auckland students and staff develop the skills and confidence to explore problems, test ideas and build prototypes that support innovation and entrepreneurship.

What drew you to your current role?

My background in industrial design and hardware start-ups showed me how much you can learn by putting an idea into practice. Making something tangible helps you question assumptions, understand people's needs and discover what needs to change. While working in the University's Design Lab, I also discovered how much I enjoyed helping students develop this approach. CIE brought these interests together, offering an opportunity to support hands-on learning while connecting design and prototyping with innovation, entrepreneurship and problems that matter.

What does your role involve?

I support the day-to-day operations of the Unleash Space Makerspace and help deliver learning experiences in design thinking, proof of concept and prototyping. This includes supporting curricular programmes, guiding practical experimentation and developing resources that help people learn more independently. I also coordinate and support our student Creative Technologists, helping them build the skills and confidence to guide others. Working alongside the wider CIE team, I help people choose appropriate tools and methods to explore an idea, test how it works and make informed decisions about their next steps.

How do you support students in their learning journeys?

I start by helping students think about the problem they are exploring and what they need to learn. From there, we can identify something useful to test and choose a prototyping approach that suits the question. My experience in user-led design means I encourage students to seek feedback early and use it to inform their next iteration. Alongside our Creative Technologists, I provide guidance that builds confidence and independence. I also support student clubs as communities where people can share skills, learn from one another and take ownership of their development.

What do you think surprises people most about your work?

People might expect prototyping to begin with a sophisticated machine or a detailed design, but sometimes the most useful starting point is a simple model and a clear question. A rough prototype can help you explore how something feels, whether a mechanism works or how someone might use a product. Having worked on projects ranging from medical devices to film sets, I enjoy helping people find an approach that fits their idea. The exciting part is seeing what an experiment reveals and using that knowledge to move forward.

What has been your most rewarding experience so far?

Helping deliver our curricular makerspace sessions in collaboration with the University of Auckland Business School has been a highlight. I've enjoyed seeing students engage with practical challenges and begin to connect their ideas with what they discover through making and testing. These sessions bring design and prototyping into students' learning in a structured way, giving them approaches they can carry into future projects.

After four months in the role, building relationships with our Creative Technologists and makerspace community has also been rewarding. I'm blown away by the diversity of skills and the strength of the community here at CIE, and I enjoy watching new participants blossom into makers and innovators.

When you're not working, what do you enjoy doing?

In my spare time, I enjoy gardening and getting out in the bush, which helps me stay connected to the natural world. I'm also always working on personal projects and inventions, so making and experimenting tend to follow me home!