Chanel Leota is our 2024 scholarship recipient. Chanel is currently in his second year at AUT, majoring in Design with a minor in Software Development. Now halfway through his studies and well into his mentoring with us, we checked in to share a bit of his design journey.


Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Chanel Leota, but I go by CJ. I’m 19 years old, Samoan, and was raised in South Auckland. I have four siblings, which makes me the second youngest, and I love spending time with them whenever I can.

What are your hobbies?

I love playing basketball when I’m outside, but I also enjoy designing in my free time. I like experimenting and finding new ways to create graphics that inspire both me and others when I share them. So far, I’ve loved working with Nick Kyrgios and The Next Chapter on sports poster collaborations. Working with The Next Chapter was a dream come true for me, as I had been following them for years, so having the opportunity to work with them felt incredible.

What song is currently on repeat for you right now?


Recently, I’ve been listening to “Purple Rain” by Prince a lot. It always gets me singing, but I also listen to a variety of other songs while I’m working.

What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?


I love creating graphics for clients, especially when I can bring their ideas to life. It feels good knowing my designs can help others promote and grow their pages.

What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?


A fun fact people don’t know about me is that I have an older brother who is 6’7” tall. People are always surprised when they meet him because of how tall he is.

Who or what inspires you?


What inspires me is being able to live comfortably and make sure my parents don’t have to worry about bills or money as they get older. I want to build a happy and successful life for myself and my family, which pushes me to work hard and chase every opportunity I can.

You’re halfway through your studies and mentorship with PU. What have you found most valuable about your time with the team?


Learning how the workflow operates and how fast-paced graphic design and creative studios can be. Moving between big assessments and new opportunities, sometimes within the same week, taught me how different working in the real world is compared to class or working on my own.

What are you hoping to do once you finish your studies?


Once I finish my studies, I want to find a good balance between building opportunities through freelancing and having a social life outside of work. I hope to become a successful freelancer who solves creative problems for clients around the world. I also want to build a platform that helps local graphic designers share their work and push their ideas forward.

What's the future you want to create?


The future I want to create is one where I build a sports design agency that feels welcoming and comfortable for everyone. I want the agency to help sports teams around the world solve design problems, refresh their brands, and build stronger connections with their communities. Most importantly, I want to create meaningful work while building trust with people from different backgrounds and cultures.