I can’t say I’ve always known what I wanted to do, or that I am pursuing my childhood dreams. Growing up, I always thought I wanted to be a lawyer, a historian, a journalist… I tried to be a studious child.

When it came to choosing a major for university, it seemed obvious to apply for program that involved writing or logic, considering I had chosen to focus my studies in English, History, Computing and Math. But for impulsive reasons I no longer remember, I decided to put in an application to the York/Sheridan Joint Program in Design. It was the only fine arts program that I applied to, and I wasn’t hopeful because my secondary school studies had an emphasis in liberal arts. It just suddenly occurred to me that my interest on the side in doing something creative could possibly become a career. To my surprise, I was accepted, and I then had a gut feeling it meant that I had to go. So despite disappointing/surprising those around me that thought I wanted to do something else, I decided to try out this unfamiliar field of graphic design.

I was more of a painter/mixed-media artist, therefore I began my four years at YSDN without having prior knowledge about typography or the technical skills to even draw a textbox. Initially, I was frustrated with not being able to push vectors with my fingers the way I could with paint and pastel. But it was so easy to fall in love with what I studied. Design became a way to live and learn, and very quickly, I couldn’t see myself being anything else but a designer.

In collecting research for my final year thesis and independent studies, I discovered how much I loved learning about design and started to consider a career in post-secondary teaching. After a few coffees with professors, a visit to several design schools and a lot of research, I decided I wanted more education, and that practising design was not really for me in the long run. I’ve never wanted to run my own studio or start a collective, whereas mentoring, writing a book and attending talks has always appealed to me.

So now my next step as a creative is to pursue an MFA in Design Criticism from School of Visual Arts in New York. I am once again going into this degree not quite knowing what to expect, but if it turns out the way my undergrad did, I will find out and love things about design and myself that I didn’t know. D-Crit will lead to many new opportunities and I am really all sorts of excited! I will have to become accustomed to reading and writing regularly all over again, but luckily, topics will revolve around design and all my favourite things.

2010 has brought about so many surprises already and I am thankful for family, friends and instructors that gave me support and advice along the way. I began my year in Toronto, relocated to Hong Kong in February, and will move to New York City by Fall. 22 is definitely a great age to be, because we are now well-equipped to tackle adult decisions, yet there is still so much left to learn and explore.