Deciphering Destiny

It was finally time for me to select a design school. Due to my poor folio, I didn’t have much of a choice at the end of high school. This time was different. I now have a ‘uni-entry-guarantee’ folio. I could now apply to study design at ALL the major universities. The question was which one would be suitable for me?

After a messy year building my folio (read about it here), it was finally time to select a design school. Due to my poor folio, I didn’t have much choice at the end of high school. This time was different. I now had a folio - a Brighton Bay Art Design & Photography Program ‘uni-entry-guarantee’ and I could directly apply to study design at all the major universities. The question was, which one would be suitable for me?

I visited all of the major universities. It was like looking for a home. I checked out the facilities, spoke to other students and looked for that ‘sense of belonging’. I needed a place that would allow me to be myself.

I visited all of them. It was like looking for a home. I checked out the facilities, spoke to other students and looked for that ‘sense of belonging’. I needed a place that would allow me to be myself.

Swinburne University was the top design school back in the day. They produced incredible work, but it wasn’t wild enough for my inner artist. The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) was also a popular school, but I didn’t feel any connection with the community.

I finally went to Monash University and instantly felt at ‘home’. I saw myself creating here. Even though the studios weren’t very aesthetically inspiring, I knew that this was where I could continue my development as a creative. The students’ work on display in the corridors showed a great deal of creative expression, which was essential to me. I chose Monash University as my first preference and waited anxiously.

I was not too fond of competition, so I knew that if I got into any design school, it would have to be because I was meant to be there. My folio alone wasn’t going to get me in as I knew that there were better folios than mine. So I surrendered my future to the course of my destiny.

The selection process to get into any design school was stringent. I don’t know what it is like now, but around 1500 students applied every year, back in my day. Out of those applicants, 700 students would sit an entrance test, and 300 students would be selected for interviews. After 300 interviews, only 70 students would be offered a place at the design school. The competition was immense, and I’d imagine it is probably more difficult today.

I was not too fond of competition, so I knew that if I got into any design school, it would have to be because I was meant to be there. My folio alone wasn’t going to get me in as I knew that there were better folios than mine. So I surrendered my future to the course of my destiny. My resolution calmed me down. I may have been a nervous wreck, but I let my dreams go, hoping that there would be another way if this didn’t work out.

When the day finally came, three letters arrived in the mail. They were from Monash University, RMIT and Swinburne University. I opened the letter from Monash University, and as soon as I saw the words ‘A-Letter’ on the heading, I screamed like a teenager. An A-Letter is an acceptance letter, which was exciting news for my parents and me. We were so excited that we had forgotten about the other two letters. It didn’t matter anymore, but I eventually opened them. I received a B-Letter from RMIT (waitlisted) and a C-Letter from Swinburne (rejection). I had also received offers from four technical colleges I applied to. I was on my way towards my dream job and couldn’t wait to see what uni life would be like. Little did I know that what lay before me was a 3-year-long boot camp.

I was on my way towards my dream job and couldn’t wait to see what uni life would be like. Little did I know that what lay before me was a 3-year-long boot camp.

Out of the 70 students who started first-year graphic design at Monash, about 50 continued to the second year. After second year, only about 35 made it to the third year, and only 28 graduated. It was tough, but university forced us to consider whether we really wanted to BE designers. Apart from having to break through creatively (this is a story for another time), we had to decide if we wanted to live the life of a designer.

Although I was sure of what I wanted to do, working in the industry was a whole different ball game. I continued to work as a designer for 17 years until I couldn’t do it anymore.

Although I was sure of what I wanted to do, working in the industry was a whole different ball game. I continued to work as a designer for 17 years until I couldn’t do it anymore. I knew I was meant for something bigger than designing logos and brochures. Some may say that it’s a little arrogant to think that way, but I believe that we each have a purpose, and we have the responsibility to achieve it in our lifetime. For the first time in my design career, I couldn’t see how I could live out my purpose through graphic design. Destiny tugged on my heart to decipher again, and this was when my life changed in ways I could not have imagined.