Championing Design with Heart and Skill

Yap Ying Hui loved drawing and creating since she was a child. She always knew she wanted to be in the art and design industry. This led her to enrol in the BA (Hons) in Design Communication course to pursue her dream. 

In 2020, Ying Hui was awarded the Sunway University Art and Design scholarship and began her studies with financial aid. She is personally proud of receiving the talent-based scholarship, as it helped her study without placing any financial burden on her parents. The scholarship motivated her to perform better in her studies and carefully grow her skills. 

Ying Hui’s student journey began online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While she did not have physical classes, she would visit the campus to do work, use the library, and conduct photoshoots. Online learning was difficult, as she found it hard to connect with her peers or join any clubs. However, in her final semesters, she had the chance to hold a physical graduation showcase on campus. 

As the organiser of CLOUD 2022, Ying Hui enjoyed allocating tasks and ensuring everything went well. The experience boosted her confidence in being a leader. It also allowed her to meet new people, work with them, and form long-term friendships before graduating. The graduation showcase is a fond memory for her, as it introduced her to a group of friends she now cherishes. 

The BA (Hons) in Design Communication course taught Ying Hui the basics of printing, layout, and visual design. It also helped to develop her eye for design, enabling her to propose ideas that benefit the community. Her company recently had a charity project with an orphanage, where she guided children in drawing for Earth Day. The artworks were scanned and edited into a series of collages, which were then turned into merchandise she designed. A portion of the sales will go towards funding the orphanage. 

Ying Hui joined her current company, Kittieyiyi, as part of an internship training programme. As an intern, she learnt the ropes and grew to love the office culture there. She met many wonderful individuals with unique personalities, and a kind boss. She decided to stay with the company as a full-time employee, dedicating her time, love, and effort to building Kittieyiyi’s brand. 

When she first joined the workforce, Ying Hui was afraid because she had no design job experience. However, after multiple product launches, events, and solo design projects, she pushed herself to grow and create better visuals. Over time, Ying Hui transitioned to become the sole lead designer for Kittieyiyi.

“Being the only in-house designer is a lot of responsibility,” Ying Hui comments. She finds it stressful, but when sales come in or customers compliment their work, she feels that the stress is worth it. Her proudest achievement so far is being the art director for a recent campaign, curating an eyeshadow palette series for the company and handling the execution herself. She describes it as a hectic, but fun and memorable experience. 

To Ying Hui, being able to create art for people to enjoy is a luxurious job. It is also a tough and competitive field to be in. Despite the challenges, Ying Hui remains committed to her childhood dreams and says she would still choose design in another life!
 

Yap Ying Hui
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Communication
2023