Singapore
Hi, I'm Jia Yu! To me, design is about creating purposeful experiences that balance function with moments of curiosity and delight. I believe in using design as a shapeshifting lens to understand and engage with the world — as a tool for solving problems, enhancing everyday experiences, or simply inviting people to pause and see something differently. My practice is guided by a commitment to creating work that is intentional and considered, regardless of scale. Research sits at the heart of my design process. Whether through conversations, academic inquiry, or ethnographic observation, I enjoy uncovering the subtleties of everyday life, and translating them into meaningful design outcomes.
• Conducted material explorations and experiments on slip-casting for terracotta and ceramic slip by varying specific parameters in mould making, pattern design, and cast duration to create slip-casted clay pieces with varying properties. • Prototyped and experimented with slip-casting of terracotta to create 2D and 3D clay pieces, to achieve desired functionality or aesthetic qualities.
During my internship with brief., I had the opportunity to develop 'COMMUTE' for the People of Design Showcase Series as part of Singapore Design Week 2024. Key responsibilities: • Conducted ethnographic field research on commuter behaviour on MRTs, and synthesised behavioural observations into insights. • Identified key behavioural patterns to conceptualise seven unique commuter archetypes for "The Riding Tribe", to reflect the diversity of commuter culture. • Created visual identities, illustrations, and personalities for each characters as part of visual storytelling and public engagement. • Designed and developed the content for the personality quiz interface. • Collaborated and iterated with the team in the ideation and conceptualisation phases.
• Guided primary school students in completion of daily homework through tailored support in all subjects. • Assisted in executing values-driven lesson plans to build resilience, teamwork, and other life skills in young learners. • Managed daily schedules and classroom dynamics to ensure a high-quality, structured learning environment for students.