Student Profile: Edvince Fong Wai Meng, 23

BA (Hons) Graphic Design (3+0) in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, UK, Final year

My favourite hangouts are Borders and MPH bookstore

I love being a university student because college education helps to develop my analytical and reasoning skills.

I know I made the right decision to study this course because the curriculum is well designed to propel myself towards the right direction in becoming a graphic designer.

My college rocks because it provides a strong foundation and it gives graduates an edge in employability.

Choosing my course

I like to think and do things differently. Therefore, graphic design is suitable for me since it is a very dynamic field which allows me to be innovative and creative. I also chose this course because of my passion for art and design.

My course

The course I am pursuing now emphasises innovation, creativity, research, and conceptual and analytical thinking skills. It covers various design projects, which helps me build self-confidence and enhance my design and communication abilities.

The best bits about my course

I like the teaching and learning methods, which stress more on the process rather than the outcome (although it is as important) as this promotes experimentation and exploration from idea generation to the final execution of the design. I also get a lot of interim feedback on a regular basis from my tutors which gives me the right direction on my design thinking and research so I can produce the best solutions for my final design.

My challenges

To always come up with innovative and creative ideas to solve various design problems is always a challenge for me as it is for other design students. To achieve this, I need to be more observant of things happening around me. I believe that I should not just wait for a fantastic idea to pop out. Hence, I am constantly on the lookout for new ideas to make fresh and different designs.

Extracurricular activities

I travel and work as a part-time tour guide, so I get to visit places with different cultural and social settings, which help inspire my designs. I also do freelance jobs, designing logos and brands for local companies as these help enrich my learning experience.

Looking ahead

I intend to involve and expose myself to the field of advertising design, eventually becoming a creative director locally and internationally. I am confident that the strong foundation I have gained from college will help build me a bright designer’s career that with excellent job prospects.

My advice

Know your interests and what you really want to do. If you are choosing graphic design, you must have passion in arts and design. When selecting a programme to study, it is important for you to know the curriculum, teaching method and quality of the programme as well as the college facilities, resources and the environment.