Alumni Stories - Chu-Yi Vuong
"The studio-based Master’s degree helped me a lot to build a design mindset and to learn about the role of Service Design and other design disciplines within different industries. This was really important for me as I came from a non-design background"
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Name: Chu-Yi Vuong
Current Career: Experience Design
Graduation Year: 2021
Discipline: Service Design
Location: Germany
What career path did you want to follow as a child?
As a child I wanted to do any sort of career in the creative field, ranging from art to fashion design. However, at that time I was not aware of the opportunities I had and then also built an interest in communications during high school. In the end, I have decided to study business administration with a focus on media and communications as part of a dual study program with an organisation, something that I am very grateful for. It gave me the chance to explore various options that I can have career-wise which is also how I came across Service Design.
Why did you decide to study at National College of Art & Design?
I spent some time in Ireland before and really enjoyed it there. This was one of the reasons why I did some research for design programs in Ireland and figured out about the opportunity of studying Service Design at NCAD, which is rare to find as a program. The interview with the program director, Dr Caoimhe McMahon, gave me a good idea of what to expect at NCAD and that I will be in good hands which is why I have decided to study at NCAD.
How did you develop your career towards your current job or practice?
The studio-based Master’s degree helped me a lot to build a design mindset and to learn about the role of Service Design and other design disciplines within different industries. This was really important for me as I came from a non-design background. Also, the exchange that we had as a class allowed me to reflect on the role of design within the world and also on the role I want to take in it. This was very valuable for me as it helped me to understand which career path I want to take and find the job that meets my interests.
What is the one experience during your time at NCAD that has informed you most in your career and work to date?
Every single project and every single activity that I did within the course as a whole is still very valuable for my current work. However, if I would have to pick one, I would say that the journey I took during the major project, in particular, had the biggest impact on me. I think if you are the only person in your project who has to go through the whole process and have to make every single decision, you start to realise where your strengths and weaknesses lie within that practice. In my eyes, this is hugely important as it challenges you, especially because you cannot “outsource” the task to a team member. This was the time when I built my “brand” as a designer and was able to say that I felt 100% confident to call myself a Service Designer.
If you were chatting with current NCAD students today what is the one piece of advice you would offer?
Trust the process. I know it sounds simple but this is what I have learned during the course. If you get stuck in your work, go back to the process that you have defined to go with and remind yourself where you are at. Sometimes we get lost and then suddenly jump ahead of the process without even noticing. Also, trust yourself. Getting feedback from others is crucial to get different views but it is also important not to get confused and frustrated because of them. You have your values and principles that you follow as a designer and it is all about finding a way to marry these things together.
What new opportunities have developed for you as a result of changes in work practice during the Covid pandemic?
I think the opportunity that has developed for me is the option to attend design conferences and talks from different places. This has given me the chance to attend sessions and gain insights from the biggest (Service) Designers without having to be in the same location as them. So, it is the even better access to industry knowledge and design expertise that has developed for me as a result of the pandemic.
