My experience since graduating
Upon graduating, I was excited and anxious simultaneously. I was looking forward to the potential work opportunities, yet I worried there might be none. Plus, it was hard to leave a city and school that I loved so much.
After carefully consideration, I decided to establish my own business. Before coming to ECA, I was aiming to be a full-time author and illustrator of picture books. However, after graduating, I had a bigger goal. I not only wanted to create picture books, but I also wanted to help other illustrators through teaching. Hence, upon graduating, I applied for and received the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship visa, which allowed me to develop my business idea. Over the next two years, I attended workshops about picture books, I did interviews, I researched illustration further and I planned syllabuses for future workshops. All of these different skillsets prepared me for a better career.
In 2020, with the experiences at ECA and my start-up business, I returned to Taiwan and worked as a children's book editor. Now I create picture books full-time. I also regularly deliver workshops for adults and do private tutorials on creating and illustrating picture books, as well as children's creative workshops.
Thanks to my time at ECA, especially the one-to-one tutorials with my tutors, I am able to design well-structured workshops, and I know how to give inspirational and encouraging feedback to others. They have become my role models in teaching.
Studying at ECA opened my mind to possibilities within illustration, it encouraged me to learn as much as I could, which eventually lead to me giving back to the industry through teaching. In my opinion, being able to share my stories and to inspire people is my biggest achievement since leaving ECA.
My advice to future and current students
To new students, I think it is important to remember why you chose to study at ECA, and never stop challenging yourself to find your potential. During the course be playful and have fun, use all of the facilities and resources, especially the printmaking suite and the library. Finally, walk around the city and try to get lost in the closes of Edinburgh.
To the graduates, I would say stay true to yourself, be open-minded, and keep creating. It is ok to take a longer route before arriving at your destination.