We chat to student designer Huayu Jiang

Next up in our series of student interviews, we chatted to student designer Huayu Jiang about her experience creating the design concept for this year’s Partnership Awards. These prestigious awards are one of the Leeds University community’s biggest events in the calendar, making Huayu’s designs a really crucial piece of work at both the Union and University. Here, we chatted to her about working with us behind the scenes, her inspirations, and how her involvement in the project will help achieve her future career goals.

At LUU, we’re all about preparing students for their future, whether that’s through providing ongoing employment and voluntary opportunities, or by harnessing student talent on one-off projects for major campus events and campaigns. Huayu’s experience is just one example of this commitment in action – next, it could be you.

What’s your education/work background so far? How did that play into the work you completed for the Partnership Awards?

My educational background is a Masters in Design at the University of Leeds. I think this period of study has given me a step up in understanding the study of design, such as brand design research, the way visual communication is done and the way ideas are found.

Did you enjoy the process of working with your Union and University ‘behind the scenes’? How was it balancing this work with your other commitments?

I was very privileged to work with my partners at the University and Union. Throughout the design process they would give me a lot of constructive advice and input, allowing me to better understand their design needs and thus achieve better design results. The design work was completed during the New Year holidays, so I had more than enough time to complete the work.

What was the inspiration for the approach you took to your designs?

The Partnership Awards is actually a sub-brand within the University of Leeds brand, so I wanted to increase the impression of the Partnership Awards by making it memorable through a super symbolic design. In designing this key visual, I used mind mapping and brainstorming to try and relate the attributes of the star to the Partnership Awards, providing a deeper meaning that is more special and communicative.

How has working on this project benefited you? Has it helped you improve your skills or gain new ones?

This work has taught me to pay attention to detail and the design needs of the client. In future when I sink my teeth into the purpose and meaning of a design, thinking before embarking on the design will give me more creative ideas and motivation.

What would you say to other students thinking about applying to work on a project with LUU and the University?

I think it’s important to take care to read the client’s design brief, which will include a lot of important details that the designer will need to optimise and amplify in the design – know what the client needs so you can make a good design.

Finally, I would like to thank LUU and the University again for giving me this opportunity to learn a lot.

The images accompanying this article provide a glimpse of Huayu’s star-inspired design concept.