EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 July Issue | Page 74

Interview Student

Arts & Creative

Natasha Tan Yiing Chen, 20
Kuala Lumpur
Studying Diploma in Interior Design
at Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA)

Tell us about your course.
Interior design is the transformation of a space with the
intention of maximum ef?ciency, functionality as well as
ensuring the well-being of the user. Throughout the course,
students will be given the opportunity to work on individual
projects which deal with the different aspects of theoretical,
conceptual and practical design problems. Students will pick
up the ability to make decisions and solve problems, while
taking the aesthetic and technical aspects into consideration.
Students will be equipped with computer software that will
help them translate their ideas into design: among them are
AutoCAD, Autodesk 3DMax as well as Adobe softwares.

What were the factors you considered and what
motivated you to choose this course?
I have always been interested in arts and design since I was
young. Like most parents in Malaysia, my parents were worried
that I might not make a good living in the arts and design
industry. They preferred if I were to pursue a career that seems
more tangible to them like accounting or ?nance. But I insisted
that I should do something I love to avoid me from not giving
my best in my studies which would result in unnecessary waste
of money. Finally, they agreed with me in pursuing interior
design as many interior designers are doing very well in the
industry now.

What do you like and dislike most during this course?
The thing that I like most during my course is the moment you
manage to pull off something you thought you could never do
or achieve. The sense of achievement is de?nitely a boost to
one’s con?dence. The tough part would probably be the short
time frame given for us to absorb everything. We even spend
our term breaks/holidays to get our assignments done. But
looking on the bright side, it might have also challenged us to
work in a stressful environment with restricted time, something
that is to be expected in the working ?eld.

72

EASYUNI Guide 2013

What are the most important aspects that you’ve
learned during the course and how has your life
changed after joining the course?
I have learned that we must always try to get back up on our
feet regardless of the number of times we fall down. Besides
that, I look at things in different perspectives now and I try to
pay more attention to details. For example, when I step into
a restaurant or a space in general, my eyes would speculate,
trying to catch as much information I can. I also try to ?gure
out how things are put together and how things function
the way they do. I am glad to have picked up that skill
throughout my course because I am eager to see the world
with my new pair of “eyes”.

What is your advice for those who are considering
joining the course you’re now studying?
You must have the passion for it, or else everything you do
will seem like a burden, as the saying goes: “Choose a job
you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
It is also a good thing to explore and design software such as
AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator before entering
the course because they allow you to explore the possibilities
of design. In my opinion, time management is also crucial for
everyone to master because it could seriously make or break
one’s assignment.