JACKIE FOK
Background and expectations:
PERSONAL BACKGROUND:
I am a Chinese Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
I participated in the ItaliaDesign field school during my 4th year of study at SFU in the field of design. I hope to complete my undergrad degree by 2011.
WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR ITALIADESIGN?
I wanted to challenge and push myself, and ItaliaDesign was the opportunity to find out what I am capable of.
Experiences In-field:
WHAT DID YOU LEARN:
About design, design process, and innovation?
We had an interview with Lorenzo Imbesi, a professor from the Sapienza University of Rome. This interview was particularly inspiring for me because it really grounded what we learn at SIAT, and it really put into perspective what the future can hold. To know that there are students half way around the world that use the same processes as we do was refreshing. He told us about his students and the critiques and it rang awfully familiar to the ways critiques are held in classes like IAT 233 and IAT 338. I think this had such an impact on me because before the field school, I (and my parents) always questioned what I would do after I graduate; especially since it seems like very few people outside the program know or understand what we learn and do. This interview really grounded the ideals that SIAT teaches and, throughout the interview, ideas and inspiration were racing through my mind.
About cities?
Cities are big, especially when you don’t speak the same language. It has made me really appreciate languages and even the simple fact that our neighbouring country is English-speaking.
About living away from home?
That I need to do it more often.
About group dynamics?
Since we had been working together for almost a year before the trip, we knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses and that made it easy to work together in-field. But living with such a large group of people in close quarters was a different story.
FAVOURITE MOMENTS OR INTERACTIONS:
In daily life?
Going to the markets in Rome every few days for groceries. Nothing beats fresh basil and tomatoes!
And gelato.
During course work?
In Orvieto I had the opportunity to do a “drift” by myself. It was a truly unique experience to explore a town so freely with no expectations, and just to observe the way people live.
I also enjoyed the times when all the slideshows would come together and we got to watch them as a group.
In an interview?
My favourite interview was in Milan at Danese with the amazing Carlotta de Bevilacqua. It was so much more than a Q&A session. She shared with us an aspect of her personal life and it really showed that we were more than just a group of students idolizing and interviewing her – she invited us ‘in’. One thing that really caught my attention was her manifesto, because of the amount of thought and research put into it, and that the elements have not changed in over ten years. Everything still applies. The environmental issues that seem to be a trend right now – something that other companies are only now starting to address – was something that she has been doing for a decade. She has always considered the materials and consequences of her products. I think the quote that I will leave here is for what we should think about when we design: “create something that nature hasn’t but could have”.
With the group?
All the dinners we had together were unforgettable and DELICIOUS!
FAVOURITE PLACE OR SPACE:
The Pantheon (the inside, outside, and its square), the top of the bell tower in Siena, the views on the Arno, the Sunday market at Santo Spirito in Florence.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUDYING ABROAD AND STUDYING AT HOME:
Studying abroad lifts the ordinary burdens of work, family, and relationships and lets you be completely engulfed in the experience and studies.
AN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE THAT YOU OVERCAME DURING THE FIELD SCHOOL:
Dealing with people and nerves without exploding.
CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE FULL SEMESTER OF CONTEXTUAL, CULTURAL, AND HISTORICAL STUDIES PRIOR TO IN-FIELD WORK?
About language?
The knowledge of the language is so crucial to the experience of the field study; take advantage of the course offered at SFU. It was really hard to put the amount of effort I normally would in my SIAT courses into the language course, but I really urge future students to really give it the time, because you have no idea how valuable it is until you really need to use it. I think the local folk appreciate you more and are more willing give you their time when you are not just a tourist stepping over their home, but someone who took the time to learn and appreciate their culture. Kitty had a really good handle on the language, and her experiences reflected that. And at times I think I am jealous of that, but nonetheless am very proud of her!
About Italian history?
Learning about the culture and history beforehand makes you appreciate that particular space, environment, and/or monument that much more because you have already developed a relationship of sorts with it. The studies also set up a different perspective for looking at a city; this was especially apparent when comparing Italy to the other places I have visited with out this in-depth background information on the locale. So the next time I visit a new city, I definitely want to take a dive into the history books before going.
CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE LEGACY PROJECT OF THE ITALIADESIGN FIELD SCHOOL?
It is an amazing feeling to be part of something that reaches so far beyond just one semester; it’s not something that everyone gets to be part of during their undergrad. Having five years of research before you can be quite daunting, but at the same time it sets up a foundation for you to add upon, and being part of something so grand is truly incredible.
Reflecting:
CAREER GOALS, ASPIRATIONS, AND INTERESTS POST-FIELD SCHOOL?
Being in Italy, and being immersed in such a rich culture, along with the inspirations from our interviews, has encouraged and augmented my realization for meaningful design. I hope to take this value and carry it well throughout the rest of my undergrad career at SFU and beyond!
WHAT IMPACT HAS THE FIELD SCHOOL HAD ON YOU?
I think the largest impact the field school has had on me are the inspirations I received during our interviews. It has placed a “light at the end of the tunnel”, whereas before the trip, I was not sure where I was going with this degree, what kind of work I would be doing, or if this is what I wanted to do. Now, after talking to designers like Carlotta de Bevilacqua, I have a better understanding of the industry and a less vague idea of what I want to do.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR UPCOMING ITALIADESIGN STUDENTS?
File management: you will need MULTIPLE Terabytes for storage of your photos and video files. Be prepared. Label all your stuff; apparently a lot of us have the same things.
Dress well: you’ll fit into the culture better and feel less awkward when walking around town.
Take time for yourself: you have no idea how valuable this time is until you cannot get any.
Call your mother! It’s a nice feeling, especially half way through the trip.