You recently created some incredible paper designs to celebrate the launch of Westfield Garden City – what can you tell us about the project?
I think it’s really exciting that Westfield Garden City wanted to create something so unique and visually rich to celebrate the redevelopment. It was a fantastic collaboration between all involved!

Which is your favourite piece in the installation?
I just loved making paper fruit and vegetables to bring to life Garden City’s Fresh Food precinct’s offerings. They were a lot of fun to create – you can really go overboard with all the tiny details.

Let’s rewind a bit … Were you creative as a child?
I was always building things as a kid – LEGO, paper, satay skewers, clay, string, plastic models, you name it! I feel fortunate that this notion of ‘play’ is a part of my work today.

It was during your graphic design study that you rediscovered the joys of paper construction. What do you love about working with the material?
Paper is endlessly inventive. As a light and easily worked material, the design process can be spontaneous and quick. At the same time, it offers technical and exacting construction properties that fascinate and inspire me.

Tell us about the first paper art project you were paid for …
My first paid project was a pop-up look book for a fashion designer friend of mine. Her 2005 collection was based around the idea of ‘pop-up’, so we created ten different pages with pull tabs and I handmade three of them for her.

Paper is obviously a fairly fragile material; have you ever encountered any major design fails or destroyed pieces along the way?
Design fails happen all the time, it’s part of my creative process and a natural result of experimentation. I always tell my students not to be afraid to make mistakes as they’re an essential part of learning. At the very least, you know what not to do next time.

How do viewers typically respond to your creations?
In general, people are always fascinated when they see pop-up books or works in paper. I think we associate paper with our childhood, so it can be incredibly transportive.

We’ve eyed off some brilliant pop-up books and window installations you’ve created through Paperform; which project has presented the biggest challenge so far?
I’ve worked on some huge jobs with some big deadlines over the years. There’s a thrill to being as creative as possible with the set time you have. Each project presents its own group of design challenges and the trick is to find the harmony between dream and possibility.

How do you get the creative juices flowing when your imagination is on strike?
This is always difficult, as creativity sometimes has to be pushed! At times you just have to begin, whether or not you’re feeling inspired. Usually after I start to construct something, the form or technique starts to solidify and the idea emerges.

What’s a typical day like for you?
As a freelancer, each day is different and my time is quite flexible. If I’m busy, then I’ll be at my studio in Surry Hills, Sydney, by around 10:00 am, although I do tend to work better in the evenings when it gets quiet. Sometimes I’m on a photoshoot or teaching a class. I’m currently studying Japanese, which is a great time filler.

What would be your dream project?
Something for Boeing or NASA.

What are your essentials for happiness?
I love taking a whole day to cook a huge feast for my friends. I also have lots of plants and terrariums, which make me happy.

What’s your personal definition of success?
I think success is a confidence and pride in one’s output. To some degree, we make our own luck – the harder you work towards a goal, the more opportunities present themselves.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … on Bronte Beach with coffee on Sunday mornings.
Relax … working out Saturday mornings at the gym.
Catch up … in the beer garden at the The Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay, Sydney.
Be inspired …  travelling to my favourite city, Tokyo.