Rob Uivel
Rob's
parents immigrated from Holland shortly before he was born. They
settled in Pinehaven, Sliverstream, Upper Hutt. Childhood pursuits
involved building forts in the pine cover valley, football and
scouting. Like many boys he used his paper run to fund his model making
hobby. In his case he favored war vehicles. But he has always had a
natural interest in manufacturing processes, unable to pick up an
object without questioning how was this made? This along with his
artist talents lead him into Industrial Design. Completing the four
year Diploma course at Wellington Polytechnic (Now Massey University
Design School) in 1982.
By then he had been riding motorbikes for
sometime and owned his first car a VW beetle 1961.
1983
While working as a design draftsmen for Cemac Interiors. Rob
took on a second job creating sets for the New Zealand movie 'The Lost
Tribe'. Starting work at 6.00pm and working into the morning and every
weekend, he completed this work on his first film job.
Later
that year he went on an OE (overseas experience) to England, Europe and
especially Holland. But affairs of the heart pulled him back to
Wellington where he started picking up prop and model making work
largely for the Advertising Industries. Working out of his flat
basement. In 1984 he was establish enough to lease his first workshop
with Brent Davenport. The pair worked on countless Television
Commercial productions including one that involved building a replica
1:1 scale model of a F18 fighter jet that was realistic enough to fool
the New Zealand Army.
1987 - 1988
Sue and Rob travel to England so Rob can study Ceramic Design and Manufacture for a year in Stoke on Trent.
When
the ceramic course was finished he worked for Vision UK. A Manchester
modelmaking company. Returning to New Zealand to marry.
A early job - a biggature for a trumpet TVC
1988 - 1998
Back
in his workshop the bulk of the work was on TVC projects, making props,
costumes, effects and rigs. Display work and Architectural Models.
From the Robots head clockwise - Bill Tompson, Richard Taylor, Rob Uivel, Tania Rodgers and Alex Kenndy. GM Robot series of TVCs. 1990.
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Sue Dorrington
Susan
grew up in the Church Road wine region of Hawkes Bay. A semi rural
lifestyle that involved a good bike ride to get anywhere. A childhood
with lots of space and adventure. Her family enjoyed jet boating,
leading to her experiencing most of the upper reaches of the North
Island rivers. Also water skiing and wind surfing. But her main pastime
was horse riding. Owning her own horse in her teen years.
Sue
describes herself as a visual thinker, leading her to study Visual
Communication Design at Wellington Ploytchnic (Now Massey University
Design School). The course was a perfect course fit for her, covering,
illustration, design, photography, animation, film, life drawing,
typography, printmaking and fashion illustration.
She graduated in1983, she owned her first car, a VW beetle 1957.
1983 - 1986
Sue worked as an Art Director at Illot Adverising
Limited ( later becoming Ted Bates ) Wellington. Tasks included
creative development, concept development and rendering, storyboarding
visuals and mock-ups. Graphic Design including logos and packaging.
Directing photographers and typographers. A specialty was fashion
illustration. A brief move to Sydney saw her working as a designer and
illustrator for Corlette and Associates. Also free lance animation
inbetweener for the movie, Footrot Flats.
1987 - 1988
While Rob studies ceramic Sue works as Creative Director for DCL Advertising Stoke on Trent, England.
Sue
headed the creative team. Pitching for work, client liaison, general
advertising creative work and art direction. Including directing
photography in Birmingham and Manchester. Before returning to New
Zealand to start a family with Rob Uivel.
1988 - 1990
Free lance Design and illustration Work Wellington NZ
1990 - 2001
Hataitai Playcentre Member Wellington.
Tasks - Early childhood educator, Team Leader, PR officer, Tutor and Vice President,
Acquired Skills in communication and team playing ( Playcentres are cooperative )
First aid, human development, behavior management and biculturalism.
Awarded life Member.
During these years Sue was also doing paint finishing jobs and concept work for Human Dynamo as required. In 2001 the last of Rob and Sue's four little Human Dynamos started school and this freed Sue up for a bigger involvement in the workshop and studio.
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