Kia ora. I'm Lucas van Schaardenburg, a Fashion Design graduate, freelance designer, and technician. My work is driven by the desire to reshape our societal systems through fashion and design so we can live in a world where everyone, particularly youth and marginalised communities, can sustainably have access to living up to their fullest potential.

I construct technical, disruptive and cheeky products in various disciplines. For my master's, I want to pursue a multidisciplinary approach to clothing design, using multiple design disciplines such as UX, interactive, health, systematic, and fashion design. The outcome I seek is a series of products accompanied by a system. This multidisciplinary methodology would experiment with smart technology and scientific application integration to optimise current slow & circular practices.

Doing a master's at Manchester Metropolitan would provide access to a design education not offered in Oceania. I seek a place like Manchester Metropolitan where my design goals and potential can be honed to the fullest potential. My entire life, I was born and lived in Auckland, New Zealand, but my mum is originally from England. I have family in London, Manchester and Reading, as well as family who have studied art and design at Manchester Metropolitan and approve of the course.

Although I love NZ, there are not enough opportunities or interests to explore design occupationally or academically. For me to best design for people in the UK and NZ, I need to design in a space where I can compare those two experiences outside of NZ. Offering that perspective would provide insight into designing systems, spaces, and products that uplift one's potential and equity to counteract systematic and cultural marginalisation.