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As winner of the Wētā Workshop Emerging Designer Award in 2024, Katherine Bertram’s prize included spending time with the team inside the world-renowned Wētā Workshop, gaining access to world-class expertise, facilities, and creative collaboration.
In this article, she reflects on her time there - from early experimentation and technical discovery to deep dives into materials, craft, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. It’s an account of curiosity, generosity, and the ways in which winning the Wētā Workshop Award can transform a creative practice from the inside out.
An Internship of Learning and Community at Wētā
My internship at Wētā Workshop began at the start of 2025 after being introduced to Alistair, Ra, and Zoilo. I arrived with sketches, images, and a long-held idea for a kinetic garment powered by sensors and motors, despite having very little technical knowledge at the time.
Over the year, Zoilo guided me through designing motor housings, integrating circuit boards, sourcing power solutions, and developing what became complex code. From my first cardboard prototype to returning with a fully 3D-printed model and seeing the garment worn, the journey was extraordinary. Zoilo’s patience, humour, and generosity made the robotics space a place of constant learning and encouragement.
As I am lucky enough to live in Wellington, I was fortunately able to arrange intermittent visits during my study and return for expert troubleshooting. Ra and Alistair offered fresh perspectives and creative solutions, reinforcing the power of collaboration within Wētā’ Workshop's creative community.
Two Weeks of Immersion
In November, I spent a concentrated two weeks at Wētā Workshop, immersing myself across departments. I learned 3D scanning and photogrammetry, explored AI workflows, garment concepts, advanced materials, and specialist 3D printing. I trained in painting, ageing, and surface techniques, experimented extensively with silicone, latex, plaster, and clay, and developed skills in mould-making and casting under the guidance of multiple teams.
A Passion for Costume and Surface
I also spent time with the costume and surface design team, exploring leatherwork, braiding, fur, and material processing. Understanding latex and silicone expanded my approach to fabric construction and surface decoration. Throughout the studio, I witnessed extraordinary craftsmanship, from mass-produced prosthetics to sculptural works, and felt the pride and passion shared by everyone involved.
The Wētā Spirit
The generosity of the Wētā Workshop team extended to my final day, where I was guided through advanced leather techniques and completed a face cast, deepening my understanding of material versatility.
An Award Unlike Any Other
The Wētā Workshop Award is, without question, the greatest award an artist could receive. It offers not just recognition, but access to knowledge, mentorship, and creative exploration at the highest level. It has fundamentally shaped my practice, and the learning continues.
Thank you WOW and Wētā Workshop.
Could You Be the Next Wētā Workshop Award Winner?
One of the finalists in the 2026 WOW Competition will be personally selected by Sir Richard Taylor to win the Wētā Workshop Outstanding Design Award. Like Katherine, the winner of this award will spend up to four weeks inside Wētā Workshop, including flights from anywhere in the world, accommodation in Wellington and $6,000 NZD. Enter the 2026 WOW Competition, and it could be you!
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