Chang Se Lin, The One Academy of Communication

Chang Se Lin

Diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design

My favourite hangout on campus is the library. You could get free Internet connection, air-condition, and be inspired by the books/ magazines around you. My classmates or course-mates and I always meet up at the library to exchange news, updates and stories.

Choosing my course

I chose my course because of ‘Passion’; many Malaysians tend to pick a course or career hopefully would lead them to a good pay. But I believe when you are passionate about what you do, you’ll be good at it and money will come eventually.

My course

My course provides a strong foundation in understanding the basics of advertising & graphic design. More importantly is the environment, lecturers and fellow students that you meet that inspire you to be motivated and view things in different perspective.

The best bits about my course

The best bits about my course are the challenges that agonizes me sometimes. I like being given all kinds of assignments and obstacles that made us churn out ideas every minute and every second. The most intensifying part is getting the satisfaction from knowing you have done your best as an individual/group after long hours of brainstorming and late nights.

My challenges

I was always a shy person and an escapist; however, this course along with the people I met enabled me to overcome my fears. During the course, I experienced a couple of daring moves that I did for my advertising course’s research. I had to promote our graduation exhibition, approaching strangers with survey forms, and being chased away because we weren’t allowed to film our assignment in the LRT station or shopping malls.

Extra-curricular activities

when I was an art student at The One Academy; we were always struggling to keep up with time, but would still find time to organise short trips (i.e. Penang/ Port Dickson) during semester breaks to explore, take pictures and have fun. Sometimes we’d go to the nearest sports centre in Subang Jaya to play badminton and sometimes, I would even find time to attend choir practices on Sundays.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead in life, life is like a journey because we are always discovering new things in life and about ourselves. I hope to be able to learn more and experience new things, be inspired everyday and have an undying passion for arts and design. I think that is the key to create functional designs that would be able to contribute to the society.

My advice

My advice is, in any decision that you make, appreciate the opportunities because you might only get one chance a lifetime. You might get a chance to study again, but it will never be the same time, place or people.