Former TIS grad Josephine Lam (Class of 2010) has re-connected with TIS in a new way – as the graphic designer of the next issue of Insight! The magazine, which comes out in January 2015, will feature all of her creative design work. Josephine is uniquely qualified for the job since she is one semester away from finishing her studies at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Canada, and upon completion, will receive a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design.
What attracted you to graphic design?
To be honest, I was actually interested in applying for Illustration as I was trained with a fine arts background, but instead I decided to give graphic design a try because I wanted to learn something completely new and out of my comfort zone. At that time, I was very new to Adobe Creative Suite and didn’t even understand the concept of graphic design, so it was a big risk for me.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at university so far?
The biggest challenge was to learn technical skills such as using Photoshop and Illustrator on my own as the school did not teach students these skills. I really had to invest a lot of time learning the technical skills in order to execute my ideas from traditional pen and paper onto screen. However, I learned quickly through classmates and friends.
Have you been working while going to school at OCAD?
I have freelanced on my own, creating logos and branding for clients such as bakery stores, magazines and print ads. Last year I worked as a photographer for Imm Living which is a home accessories store that outsources to North American brands such as Urban Outfitters and Anthropology. Currently, I work at a design studio in Macau called Open Door Studio as graphic designer and creative director for an upcoming luxury wedding magazine based in Macau called Bliss.
What has it been like working on Insight magazine?
It has been a pleasure and lots of fun working on Insight! I feel that I have an advantage since I understand the school very well and truly want to create something unique that represents my high school.
What are your best memories of TIS?
My favorite time at TIS was during art classes. It was a great way to build on my fine arts background and keep my creativity going. English classes were always lots of fun too!
What advice would you give to the grade 12 students who will be going to university next year?
Stay motivated and keep doing what you love to do! Try to make friends with your classmates because they can motivate you and you can learn a lot from each other.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue working and creating more issues for Bliss and starting my own sustainable fashion label. Next year, I plan to move to Europe for self-development and to improve myself as a designer.