Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacky Lo.
Hi Jacky, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As I reflect on my journey, it seems to revolve around the pursuit of transforming an ordinary life into something a bit different. Growing up in a low-income family, my aspirations were once limited to merely finding a job to sustain my life, as dreaming big seemed unrealistic.
Looking back on my 29 years of life, a few distinct periods have significantly shaped who I am today. The first period was during my early twenties when I pursued a business management degree in Hong Kong. Although my university wasn’t considered prestigious, it held a special place in my heart. Initially, I wasn’t the typical hardworking academic student. I skipped most of my classes to immerse myself in various extracurricular activities, actively participating in a student club and organizing events with my friends. While this phase may not have directly contributed to my future ambitions, it granted me invaluable social life experiences that I cherish.
The second period was during my junior year at university. I realized life needed a sense of purpose. To find direction, I stepped out of my comfort zone and engaged with students from other universities. During that year, I met a group of students with a clear vision and unwavering passion for their pursuits and it left a lasting impact on me. Witnessing their dedication and enthusiasm, I began to emulate their mindset, striving to become more goal-oriented and proactive.
As a result, I became very active in joining different events and workshops, and committed to my personal growth. My efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and I was presented with many opportunities to learn and develop further. That year served as a turning point, leading me toward a path of self-improvement and determination.
After a year of relentless effort and seizing opportunities, a life-changing moment awaited me. I secured an internship at an education startup during the summer, where I had the privilege of connecting with incredibly talented individuals driven by a profound desire to serve the society. The founder of the startup believed in my potential and offered me a full-time position. Having someone who genuinely believed in me and my abilities gradually bolstered my confidence, prompting me to embrace the concept of “dreaming big” – pursuing endeavors I had never before considered possible.
During that experience, I had the chance to collaborate with people graduating from prestigious universities or with study-abroad experiences. Observing their perspectives and what they did, I noticed differences that sparked a new desire within me – the yearning to work overseas and explore the world. I believed that immersing myself in different cultures and work environments would not only enrich my personal growth but also equip me with a unique set of skills and insights.
That one year was a transformative journey of self-discovery, particularly in my role as a marketer responsible for various design tasks. At that time, the seed of an idea began to germinate – the notion of becoming a designer, fueled by my genuine enjoyment of creative work. This desire intensified as I turned 25, prompting me to realize the importance of carefully planning my career trajectory. While I could have continued working as a marketer, I knew deep down that pursuing my dream of becoming a designer was essential, and I couldn’t afford to postpone it as time passed.
Contemplating my options, I considered the possibility of obtaining formal design education and deliberated going back to school. However, I felt drawn to the idea of studying in an international environment to explore how exposure to a global setting might significantly impact personal growth. That’s when I discovered the “Savannah College of Art and Design,” a US art school with a campus operating in Hong Kong. In their open-day events, I was captivated by SCAD’s creative art culture and the richness of its international learning environment. The allure of studying there was strong, but the obstacle of expensive tuition weighed heavily on my decision.
The internal struggle persisted for almost a year. Ultimately, I couldn’t suppress my desire to pursue this dream any longer. I decided to give it a try, promising myself that if the experience didn’t align with my expectations in the first year, I would reassess and return to work. Thus, I allowed myself the freedom to experiment and dedicate a year to wholeheartedly pursuing my passion. Little did I know that this decision would lead to my second life-changing experience – a transformative four-year study journey that would redefine my path.
Many have questioned my decision to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree in art instead of opting for a two-year graduate program. However, I firmly believe that true mastery in any field requires time and dedication, and there are no shortcuts in the learning process. Choosing the longer path allowed me to immerse myself fully in a creative environment, providing me with the opportunity to deeply understand the essence of art and contemplate its profound meaning.
In retrospect, I’m grateful for the decision to pursue another bachelor’s degree because it allowed me to start from the very basics and go through all the essential foundation classes. These foundational courses played a crucial role in shaping my artistic journey, providing me with a robust grounding in art and design. As I progressed through these courses, I began to experience a profound shift in my perspective toward art, and it inspired me to establish my own design philosophy.
The power of these foundational classes was profound, leading me from being solely career-oriented, merely seeking a design job for a livelihood, to embracing the identity of an artist who believes in the true power of art. This mindset not only altered my approach to design but also influenced the way I perceive the world around me.
Now, having graduated from SCAD, I have officially embarked on my career as a designer, currently serving as a full-time product designer at a tech company. However, I am fully aware that my journey in the design world has just commenced. The four years of studying were merely the initial steps, introducing me to the vastness of the design realm. As I delve deeper into my profession, I realize that there is an abundance of knowledge and skills yet to be acquired.
In my current role as a product designer, I am continuously exploring the true essence of what product design means to me personally. This field offers boundless opportunities for growth and self-discovery. As I navigate the world of UX design, I am actively seeking to find and refine my own artistic voice, one that can leave a distinctive mark on the industry.
This is a long journey filled with a lot of challenges, but I am genuinely excited to uncover the lessons, experiences, and opportunities that await me in the next chapter of my life. Each new project, each obstacle overcome, and every chance to innovate presents me with a chance to grow as a designer and as an individual.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Pursuing one’s passion is undoubtedly a journey filled with obstacles. From coming to the US to securing a job and returning to school at 25, each step posed its own set of challenges. I distinctly recall the moment I made the life-altering decision to leave my job and enroll in SCAD for a 4-year program. The people around me questioned my choice, deeming it a crazy idea. They asked, “Why waste four years getting another degree?” and expressed concern about how I would manage the tuition fees. These doubts and criticisms were incredibly stressful, leaving me fearing failure and uncertainty.
This four-year journey is more than just an academic pursuit but also an opportunity for self-discovery. Throughout this journey, I sought to understand my true passions and desires, allowing me to uncover what I genuinely loved and aspired to achieve. While the challenges seemed daunting at times, they were instrumental in shaping my determination and resolve. As I persisted in pursuing my dreams, I realized that with unwavering willpower and a positive attitude, obstacles transformed into opportunities for growth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently employed as a product designer at “Splunk,” a tech company. In my role, I am dedicated to enhancing the user experience of Splunk’s product, ensuring that our users have a seamless and enjoyable interaction with our platform. To excel in this position, I need not only a keen sense of design aesthetics but also strong critical thinking and communication skills. Designing an enterprise product presents its own set of challenges, especially for someone like me who didn’t come from a tech background. Understanding the intricacies of a complex technical ecosystem requires substantial time and effort, but I’m committed to grasping our product inside out and genuinely comprehending our users’ needs.
Many view UX designers as problem solvers, dedicating most of their time to understanding issues and devising solutions. While I certainly value problem-solving, I believe that product design should transcend mere troubleshooting. For me, the focus lies in the art of design itself. I think anyone can be a problem solver, however, it is through design that one can truly distinguish themselves.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor or building a strong network can be incredibly valuable for personal and professional growth. From my experience, I’ve found a few strategies that have worked well:
Reach out to people you admire:
Don’t hesitate to connect with individuals you look up to and would like to learn from. Send personalized messages expressing your admiration for their work and your desire to gain insights from their experiences.
Be selective about advice:
Not all advice will resonate with you or be relevant to your unique journey. Talk to multiple people, seek diverse perspectives, and develop your own judgment to discern which advice aligns best with your goals and values.
Explore mentorship beyond real-life connections:
Mentors don’t have to be people you interact with in person. You can find valuable mentorship in books, interviews, articles, and other resources created by individuals you admire. Dive deep into their work to gain valuable insights.
Study and immerse yourself:
Take the time to thoroughly understand the work and contributions of those you consider mentors. Study their projects, read their articles, watch their interviews, and explore their sources of inspiration. This deeper understanding will help you glean invaluable lessons from their experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jackylo.design
- Instagram: jackylo.design
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackylch/
