What if your creativity could become part of the solution to some of the ocean’s biggest challenges?
When we think about careers protecting the ocean, marine scientists and environmental engineers often come to mind. But creating a healthier ocean also requires storytellers, filmmakers, designers and creative thinkers who can change perspectives, rethink everyday products and help people connect with the natural world.
In our latest Blue Futures webinar, we explored how creative careers can contribute to ocean conservation and sustainability.
Hosted by our Ocean Youth program lead, Claudette Rechtorik, the conversation brought together documentary filmmaker Harriet Spark and industrial designer Andrew Simpson, founder of Vert Design and CEO of Design Declares Australia. Both shared their career journeys, the unexpected opportunities along the way and their advice for young people wanting to make a positive environmental impact.
Finding Your Own Path
One of the strongest messages from the discussion was that creative careers rarely follow a linear path.
Harriet’s journey into documentary filmmaking began somewhere unexpected. Initially interested in fashion, graphic design and journalism, she left university and moved to the Whitsundays, where she discovered scuba diving and developed a passion for the ocean.
Working in marine tourism and later at an aquarium opened her eyes to the environmental challenges facing marine ecosystems. Volunteering with conservation organisations led to opportunities in communications and video production, eventually taking her into documentary filmmaking.
Today, Harriet works across natural history, science and environmental storytelling, including productions for major broadcasters and conservation organisations.
Andrew’s path was different. From making skateboards as a teenager to studying industrial design and working as a glassblower, he was always drawn to understanding how things are made and how they could be improved.
His career has since involved designing everything from everyday consumer products to innovations that make use of waste materials and support healthier marine environments.
Their experiences highlighted an important lesson: you don’t need to have your entire career mapped out. Following your curiosity and exploring opportunities can lead you in directions you never anticipated.
Creativity as a Tool for Change
Creative work can help address environmental challenges in very different ways.
For Harriet, filmmaking is about more than capturing beautiful images of marine life. Powerful storytelling can bring science to life, introduce audiences to the people working on environmental solutions and help build understanding of why protecting the ocean matters.
She encouraged aspiring photographers and filmmakers to look beyond social media trends and develop their own creative voice, focusing on stories they genuinely care about.
For Andrew, design offers opportunities to rethink the products, materials and systems we use every day.
From jewellery created using recovered marine plastics to concepts for floating foreshores that could provide habitat and help protect coastlines, his work demonstrates how creative problem-solving can connect environmental benefits with practical, commercially viable solutions.
Creativity isn’t simply about producing something beautiful or interesting. It can influence how people think, what they value and the choices they make.
The Skills Behind a Creative Career
While creative talent is important, Harriet and Andrew were equally open about the practical skills needed to turn ideas into successful careers.
For Harriet, this includes understanding budgets, managing projects, building professional relationships and collaborating with people who bring different strengths.
Andrew encouraged young designers to focus on the outcomes they want to achieve, challenge assumptions and develop a clear understanding of the problems they are trying to solve.
Both also explored the realities of funding creative environmental projects, from finding partners who benefit from an idea to developing new ways of supporting worthwhile work. Their message was clear: communication, collaboration, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning are just as valuable as creative talent.
Start Small, Stay Curious
Asked what advice they would give their younger selves, both panellists reflected on the importance of taking opportunities while allowing time to develop their skills.
Andrew wished he had spent longer learning from experienced practitioners before establishing his own design studio. Harriet encouraged young people to take more risks, seek out mentors and resist the pressure to achieve everything immediately.
Their advice for young people was practical: try something new, volunteer, connect with people already working in your area of interest and begin building your experience.
You don’t need expensive equipment, a perfect portfolio or all the answers to get started. A small project, a conversation or an opportunity to learn from someone else can be the beginning of something much bigger.
Protecting and restoring our ocean requires science, research, technology and policy. But it also requires people who can communicate complex ideas, inspire new ways of thinking and design practical alternatives.
Whether you’re drawn to storytelling, photography, film, art or design, your creativity could help shape a healthier future for our ocean.
Blue Futures is OceanEarth Foundation’s webinar series connecting young people with professionals who are using their skills and careers to make a positive difference for the ocean.
Webinar recording: [Coming soon]
If you’d like to learn more about Harriet and Andrew’s work, you can visit their respective websites here: Grumpy Turtle Films and Vert Industrial Design House.