Why did you choose to attend OCAD U?

I was very impressed by a portfolio workshop held by Mr. Keith Rushton back when I was 15 years old. As a child, since kindergarten, I was that curious / weird person who had so many questions. The adults would tell me I should be a designer one day. I signed up for the OCAD 1-day Workshop, just to experience what a day at OCAD might be like. That was the day I decided Packaging Design would be my life time passion. Four years later, when I applied to be a student at OCAD, I met Keith again, this time as an interviewer. I also met Mr. Bruce Hind — another legend from OCAD. They impressed me with the possibility of what Design Thinking could be for the future world. I was fortunate to be awarded with an entrance scholarship, and that started day 1 of my career in Design.

 

Please briefly describe your current job / practice.

Since I co-founded Arc & Co. 9 years ago – after working in the industry for some years as a Designer and Creative Director – my focus has purposely shifted to building client relations and strategizing to grow their brand, and companies. The intention behind my role switch, to focus more on business, was to bring new challenges and knowledge to my life, so I am always growing on multiple levels.

 

How did you get started in your career?

Aside from being the weird kid on the block, and always having chosen to take a bunch of art classes growing up, my career started the day I was awarded entry to OCAD. During school, I applied for internship programs in Toronto, and internationally, every year in order to build real time experience. In between school projects, part time jobs, and design studio internships, I was sleeping 3-4 hrs a day for 4 years.  But I absolutely loved it! My first full-time job was offered to me a month before graduation, during my 4th year at OCAD. It was as a Graphic and Packaging Designer.

 

What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?

As in when I was starting up as a junior designer? Grab any opportunity possible to learn. Stay humble and ask the right questions. Appreciate anyone who spends their time sharing their knowledge, because they didn’t have to. As for my company? We only hire full-time employees. Because we are really busy, therefore it’s hard for us to hire anyone who’s here just for a couple months. We take training very seriously.

         

What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

I thoroughly enjoy day-to-day problem solving and learning about clients’ industries. Nothing is ever easy and I have gained so much appreciation for clients who can balance everything so well. The most challenging aspect of my work is, essentially, also problem solving. It takes a long time to run through every solution possible in my head, and provide the best answer, when people think it takes me no time and energy. Aside from sleeping, my brain is always working full-time, and overtime.

 

What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?

During my time at OCAD, I really focused on exploration, which always guided me to not go to the first idea right away. Instead, it was always multidimensional and we were always encouraged to go really far out there with concepts. Because of this, I had always, and will always, be inspired to look at things a million ways and naturally be curious. This is the #1 quality any designer should have.

If I’d do anything differently, it would be to balance the conceptual thinking with more technical training. With all the internship experience I had, it was still noticeable to me how smooth other people, from different schools, had transitioned into the field. I still remember day 1 of my first job, the creative director told me straight up I was “too creative”, and this was just being polite. She really meant I was naive, had no concept of what reality was all about in terms of cost or production, nor did I understand how to work with people without design backgrounds, and represent the mainstream world.

 

What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?

Be bold, and creative, while staying real. Coaching people to reach their goals while staying humble to learn from them. Learning is a lifelong practice and I make sure myself, our employees and all of our clients understand nothing is ever given to us easy but if we are willing to work on it with a team, we will achieve it together.     

 

What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?

Professionally:

Work with schools to equip emerging young designers with the right mindset to kick start their career. There needs to be a much smoother and  integrated transition, so both the students and design industry can set their expectations properly. We are all in this together.

Personally:

I’d like to do more public speaking on topics related to current events. “Design” is a term that has been widely used, and being in the industry, we need to remind ourselves what that really is. There has to be a group effort to promote Design Thinking so the world and government will respect and apply this to our infrastructure.

Images: 
Annie Chou Portrait
Annie Chou B&W Portrait
Infographic showing Annie's career path
Butter Avenue
Bata Shoe Museum
Way of Will
Role: 
Founder & Principal Designer
Website: 
https://www.arcandco.ca
Program: 
Quote: 
I had always, and will always, be inspired to look at things a million ways and naturally be curious. This is the #1 quality any designer should have.
Program Year: 
2007