Lisa Yeoh, currently pursuing a course in PhD in Creative Industries and Art Practice, recently won the 2nd place in the Bank Negara Commemorative Coin Design Competition for the 100th Anniversary of the Malaysian Girl Guide Chapter.
On being a Limkokwing student
“Being a student of Limkokwing University is amazing as this place provides me with the wonderful experience of working with different people of various ethnicities from around the world,” said Yeoh.
“This has changed my perception on many areas in different ways and has contributed greatly to my works in a positive manner.”
Yeoh also explained that working on the same project, but with different approaches depending on an individual’s background, is a very interesting, wonderful and inspiring way of learning.
“This is important especially for me as a graphic design student whose works are very human centred. Therefore, having a good ethnical blend of friends helps to cultivate better ideas and creativity in my works,” she said. “At this university we do not need to travel far to meet people from other parts of the world, because we have them all in one place.”
On winning the coin design competition
Yeoh’s design was inspired by the idea that Malaysia is defined by three main ethnicities: Malay, Chinese and Indian. “This unity brings out the best of the country since achieving independence and continues to spearhead towards becoming a modern Malaysia,” she said.
To win this award, Yeoh had to face the challenge of delivering the entire message in the simplest way on a limited work space – only one side of a coin. “Let us not forget the technicality of the actual minting. The artwork must also be well-framed with the design fundamentals.”
Yeoh is grateful to her mentor and friends, who have provided her with encouragement and opinions that kept her on positive ground towards the achievement of this award. “We had discussion sessions on how to present the artwork and how to deliver the message in the most effective.”
On her other achievements
In 2001 Yeoh has also won the 2nd place in another international competition organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents of Malaysia (4As), which was held in University of Science Malaysia (USM).
“To me, being able to participate in competitions means opportunities to gauge my level of creativity in the industry locally and internationally. Being able to meet the organisers and contestants provides a great channel for feedback, ideas and networking, which can be beneficial to my career,” she said.
On her life philosophy
Yeoh believes that in order to practise creativity in any specialisation, sharing and exchange of ideas is essential to the achievement of great outcome in one’s works. “By sharing, we will understand and be able to work together effectively in a competitive environment,” she explained.
“In the real world, no one works alone.”