Western Sydney University design students light up Sydney Zoo through new collaboration
Alannah Yeatman, Vicky Xie, Scarlett Hutchinson, Julie Song, Emma Toohey, Dr Leo Robba, Nina Ledden, Alyssa Ervin, Renlet Garcia, Isabella Landrigan, and Elizabeth Bunoza
Western Sydney University is proud to showcase the creative talents of its design students as part of an exciting collaboration with GLOW at Sydney Zoo – an immersive after-dark experience brought to life through light, art, and storytelling.
This year, three student teams from the School of Humanities and Communication Arts played a leading role in the event, designing a series of large-scale installations including the Nocturnal Arch (Western Tree), Radiant Reef, and Cycle of Life Walk.
Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, who joined students and their families at a special preview of the event last week, said the collaboration is an outstanding example of student innovation and real-world learning.
“Western Sydney University is a proud partner of Sydney Zoo. This event is a glowing example of the talent in Western Sydney, and what can be achieved when educational institutions work together with community and industry,” said Professor Williams.
Professor Saba Bebawi, Dean of the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, said the collaboration offers valuable real-world experience for students preparing for careers in design.
“This partnership with the state-of-the-art Sydney Zoo provides our students with hands-on learning opportunities that enrich their education and support their future careers in the design industry. The vibrant installations are a powerful testament to their innovation, creativity, and skill,” said Professor Bebawi.
Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) student Isabella Landrigan, from Penrith, said the opportunity to collaborate with Sydney Zoo was a valuable professional experience.
"It's been incredibly exciting to work with the creative team at Sydney Zoo. They welcomed our ideas with open minds, which really allowed our concepts to flourish. This project and what we’ve learnt in our design course gave us real confidence in our design skills and has been an amazing introduction to industry practice,” said Isabella.
"I worked on the 'Cycle of Life' installation alongside Alyssa and Ren. The brief was to depict the life stages of a butterfly, and we drew inspiration from native Australian flora and fauna. I based my design around the waratah flower, which is the floral emblem of New South Wales."
Fellow Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) student Nina Ledden, from Sydney’s Inner West, took on the challenge of team lead and was the key liaison between the University, Sydney Zoo, and the student design teams.
“This project gave me the chance to interact with a real client and understand how that relationship develops. I also got to see how the client’s process works, how they approach design, and what their expectations are. That kind of insight is invaluable,” said Nina.
“It’s so important for students to be involved in the local community, and for the community to see that connection. It shows that the University wants to give back and interact with the people in its own backyard. It’s also incredibly rewarding to create something that the public can walk through and enjoy with their families and friends.”
To celebrate this unique partnership, students, their families, and University staff gathered last Thursday evening for a special preview of the installations ahead of the opening of GLOW on Friday, 9 May.
In June, a dedicated event will welcome up to 2,500 Western Sydney University students to experience GLOW firsthand. The evening will spotlight the contributions of student designers, including through a panel discussion exploring the journey from concept to completed installation.
For more information on GLOW, open 9-31 May, visit Sydney Zoo’s website (opens in a new window).
Alyssa Ervin, Isabella Landrigan, and Renlet Garcia
ENDS
15 May 2025
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