Jen Li Wan is a student with a mission to revolutionise the creative landscape. In undertaking her graduate project, Jen Li shares her insights into what she strives to achieve as a designer.
The origin of ‘Hide & Seek’
Hide & Seek is a narrative-driven brand identity and social campaign hybrid born from the idea that no one’s creative journey should be a lonely one. As a comprehensive brand experience, the project spans across physical and digital touch points – including a comics series, a digital interface and a collection of branded merchandise. The brand’s purpose is to enlighten, unite and empower budding creatives to take that brave first step in sharing their art with the world.
The desire to create change
I knew I wanted to use the freedom granted by this graduate project’s brief to create something which could make a difference in a community that I am a part of and passionate about. Being a budding creative myself, especially one from a marginalised background, I know truly how daunting it is to put yourself out there. So, I wanted to create something which spoke directly to, and uplifted people like me. All in all, this project embodies the sentiments I strive to champion as a designer: empathy, authenticity and connection.
My design process was largely inspired by the importance of my inner child to my creative practice and guided by my passion for representation. The main medium I explored in this process was illustration. I wanted to see if I could stretch my illustration skills through using it as the driving visual force behind a brand. I mainly experimented with the treatment of illustration in different branding contexts, for example its unique use in comics in comparison to merchandise and interactive interfaces.
A supportive foundation
The teaching team added an incredible amount of value to my learnings. Having an engaged and empathetic tutor, especially during this capstone unit, changed the entire course experience for me. In fact, my best projects were always created under the guidance of educators who I particularly connected with, regardless of what design niche they taught. This is because having someone who not only believes in your potential, but possesses the industry expertise to guide you towards that growth, is game changing.
I believe that the skills I have gained from the Bachelor of Business (Advertising)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) will serve as a solid foundation for me to build off of as I step into the professional design space. This course gave me so much room to explore and learn about myself as a creative. Without all of the diverse experiences I’ve undergone and inspiring people I’ve met, it would have taken me a lot longer to figure out what my creative process is, what niches I thrive in, and what design means to me. I hope to channel all of these learnings into becoming a more adroit designer and compassionate creative.
