Peeking into a book on cancer, gifted to my grandmother by her former student, who became a surgeon, the book sparked my obsession to figure out how the human body worked. I dreamed of becoming a surgeon at nine years old. Glued to the science channel, I watched surgeons separate a conjoined twin and transplant a liver. I watched the nimble fingers of surgeons, dressed in blue garb, glow brightly under surgical lights. I combed through books that touched upon the human body and ignored the rest.
After spending four years in my undergraduate pursuing a degree in nutrition sciences (the previous year I spent in an intensive Arts program), my initial enthusiasm, spurred by my fascination over the relationship between body and diet from nine years old, withered. Behind a desk, listening to presentation after presentation, and taking notes fervently, I felt lost. I felt disconnected with my professors. After all, they directed their lectures towards dietetic students — the chosen ones. I stopped seeing the possibility that I could excel and belong in the health profession.
During my undergraduate, I continued pursuing art on the side and learned design. By high school, I stopped considering either as a hobby — I wanted mastery. Classical art, hardly a subject taught in large institutions, is technical, and much akin to the scientific process. I began a drawing by observing the subject, like conducting a field study. Marking the paper to form the big picture is like generating a hypothesis. As I refine the drawing, teasing out form and feel, the study becomes closer to life. Stepping back, I would feel satisfaction seep into the air. During my classical workshops, I never once left my three-hour session with an incomplete work — even if I was hungry. My work had to be complete.
My dedication to art and design pushed me to improve even without formal lessons.
A few months ago, I discovered product design. Product design fell between art and HCI research. It satisfies my practical side where I can see and measure the impact my design has on the business and their customer. It also allows me to use my visual design skills — one that comes naturally to me.
Before I graduated, I found two positions on campus:
- A graphic designer
- An interface designer.
Two weeks into my graphic design position, my supervisor left on a month-long vacation.
“Here’s what you need to do, see you in a month!”
I loved the freedom, responsibility, and most importantly — his trust that I can deliver. I designed my first exhibition design from scratch.
I learn by doing. Even if the task is entirely new, I will figure it out.
In contrast, I felt less valued in my second position as an interface designer. I didn’t know where the product was heading strategically, and how each development sprint contributed to the bigger picture. I came into the project mid-way and knew nothing of what the previous user researchers found.
In November, I learned that designers could participate in hackathons. I also learned that hackathons weren’t really about hacking. I wish I knew this much earlier. In total, I went to three of them. At UBCs’ nwPlus’ HackCamp, I met two amazing developers. We designed, tested, and built the barebones of an Android app. We won a prize sponsored by Kabam for Best UI/UX Design. In the new year, at nwPlus’ nwHack, we built a complete educational pixel game. We planned, designed, and executed with synergy, earning us second place. Too bad we didn’t get first — it would have been a dream to go to Pinnacle. I couldn’t believe how much I learned and accomplished in a few days.
I learn when I have the right amount of pressure. No challenge is really a challenge.
I also met mentors who cared about my interests, and one took the extra mile to help me on my journey. Thank you Evelyn for taking your time to critique my portfolio. Thank you Halliq for introducing me to the specifics of UX research. Thank you Andrew for offering ongoing guidance on my projects and learning journey. Thank you Grace for answering my questions and critiquing my case studies. You are all the best!
At the very end, I met a designer at a design hackathon and became friends who could support each other. Thank you for supporting me Seya.
