How I got into design
Why information design
I took the Bachelor of Communication in information design program, unintentionally. When I was in high school, my dream job was to be a scientist, doing a research in an isolated place like Antarctica, but I was not that good in math. So, I picked public relation as my second choice because I liked writing. I was in a waiting list for public relation program and got accepted to information design program at Mount Royal University. I planned just to stay for a year or so while trying to get into an engineering or the public relation program.
A year passed by, I got really into it. I felt like information design was made for me! Then, I remember a career personality test I took in high school. The result was what information design is defined. It is a combination of design and communication. My psychologist told me being a scientist wouldn’t fit me because of my lack of interest in math and my extroverted personality. I remember about this test at my last year of university. Since then, I knew that design was a calling for me.
What information design is for me now
Information design program is a fairly a new program in Canada that started in 2012. I’m still struggling to fully explain what information design is. I would say that an information designer tells a story or solves a problem with a visual.
“It is not how much empty space there is, but rather how it is used. It is not how much information there is, but rather how effectively it is arranged.”
– Edward R. Tufte
What do I do now?
I could use my education to professions such as information architecture, technical writing, and multimedia production, but I got a graphic design position in my first internship in Calgary. I was lucky to have great mentors that taught me not only graphic design skills but also video production and animation skills.
I moved to Ottawa and now working in a communication department. I had some projects of communication strategy, but I learned that I enjoy and perform my best in graphic design. My favourite projects are when I get a chance to draw a zombie, a rhino, and food.
I am continuously learning new graphic design skills. In my spare time, I keep myself updated and inspired on websites such as Adobe Tutorials, Digital Synopsis, and Creative Bloq. I also attend to local design events in Ottawa hosted by amazing design communities such as Creative Mornings and RGD.