Cicy Zhu: Strive to Be A Better Self

Cicy is graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA degree in Industrial Design. After graduating, she completed a five-month internship at an art studio in New York City. She currently works for a furniture company in New York, designing furniture for bedrooms and children's rooms.

Dulwich Life

Cicy told us her high school life was full of joy and happiness. When she was at Dulwich, she studied with a group of self-motivated, supportive, caring, and happy students. They enjoyed learning, but they were also willing to share and progress together with others. This learning environment was something she particularly liked. The good friends she made then are still in touch with her today. “A few of them are also in New York now, and we often go out together and have some fun.”

Drama class was Cicy’s favorite, and she loved the backstage work even more. When she was helping out, she could watch the students rehearse and perform. “I used to be quite timid and didn't like too much pressure or the competitive environment, so being on stage wasn't for me. The good thing is that at Dulwich, the drama class and theatre performances allowed students to participate in different ways and enjoy what they liked with comfort.” Also, in high school, Cicy joined the student ambassador club and helped organise and manage campus events with like-minded students. “That was busy but fun,” said Cicy.

Challenges and Opportunities at University

For one of the major-related courses, Cicy took in her sophomore year, the way her teacher taught the course was not what she had expected, which concerned her. 

“My teacher was very knowledgeable and dedicated, with over 20 years of teaching experience. However, he focused on teaching the details of the painting, but not the skills the design industry was looking for. He did not like to use computer software, nor did he teach the theory or the subject’s history. Worrying about my future, I learned how to use different design software independently. I took a minor in jewellery design and a few courses in graphic design. Making good use of my free time helped me feel better and train my design thinking.”

Cicy believes that in addition to the wealth of educational resources at university, networking opportunities were also excellent. Friends she made at RISD always supported her in many ways, which helped her maintain a fulfilling and healthy college life. Also, having a good student-teacher relationship with the professors and teachers brought her professional opportunities. “I got my first internship from my professor. He was working on a project designing a science exhibition in a children’s museum in New Jersey. As he knew me very well, he offered me this opportunity, and we worked together on the idea development for five months.”

Why Choose Industrial Design

Cicy first learned about industrial design from her art teacher Ms. Teal. “During one of our conversations, she introduced different design majors, course content and future career options. Industrial design interested me the most, as it prepares the designer for a wider variety of design jobs.” Later, Cicy went to RISD to take a summer course on this subject, where she learned more about each aspect of design from fellow students and the exhibitions hosted by the school. After comparison, she found that industrial design was a good fit.

Useful Skills

For Cicy, there are many essential skills that help her in studies and life. Firstly, communication skills: “To develop these skills, you will need to step out of your comfort zone and talk to different people proactively. Talking to others is also a great way to learn how to respect and accommodate different viewpoints, as you learn to think about things from multiple perspectives.”

The second is time management skills. “Good time management skills also lie in being able to properly understand your own abilities and limitations and avoid over-scheduling yourself or setting expectations too high. When I was at university, I would often have to hand in three design assignments a week. Time management skills allowed me to organize my daily tasks so that I could complete all my assignments on time.”

Finally, it is about making the best use of resources. “When you are a student, you are surrounded by resources such as teachers, classmates and seniors. They may have already walked the path you are on, so they must have some perspectives or experiences that you can learn from. It is also important to ask questions when you don't understand something, to be brave enough to ask questions, and to use the resources around you for personal growth.”

Career Plan

Cicy said she is looking for design consultancy work, working directly with brands, preparing her portfolio, and looking for job opportunities. 

#Cicy's Advice

“While setting your goals, be realistic and conscientious. Find a way to do better in the direction that interests you, within your ability and time limit. Don't compare yourself unnecessarily with others, nor expect others to set strict rules for you as learning is your own business. Be clear about what you want, how much effort you are ready to put in, and take immediate action to reach your goals.”