Dear Ipswich, I trust you are well.
During my school years, I thrived in art subjects, effortlessly achieving good grades. Occasionally, I even won creative competitions, with the most memorable being a poster for British Gas. However, due to a lack of guidance, limited support, and the less advanced state of the internet back then, I found myself entering the retail and finance sectors. The East Asian mentality on job stability played a role in this path. I never felt capable of pursuing the professions my Chinese parents preferred, such as medicine or law; my mind just didn’t work that way.
When my parents sold their takeaway business in Ipswich, where they had worked for over 16 years, I saw it as my chance for a fresh start. While working at a local supermarket and job hunting, I came across an advertisement for a Museum Traineeship at Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service. This marked my first step into the arts and heritage sector. The fantastic manager and supervisors equipped me and the other trainees with essential skills, not only to find work in the field but also to recognize our value as creatives and museum professionals. We each received the Suffolk Learners Award for this role.
During my time at the Museum, I collaborated with the Anglo-Chinese Cultural Exchange (ACCE) to revamp the Chinese displays, adding bilingual text for better accessibility and organising an event to introduce the culture to the local community. I also had the honour of working with the SPILL Festival to create a human shrine. This experience reignited my dormant creativity, filling me with excitement for the new possibilities ahead. I later advanced to working on exhibitions and displays within the organisation, where I contributed to nationally renowned exhibitions such as “Rodin’s: The Kiss” and “Ed Sheeran’s: Made in Suffolk,” among others. Working in a small team, I took on a variety of tasks, from design to installation, becoming a true jack of all trades, but master of none. During the pandemic, I had a revelation to return to university to enhance my knowledge in design and illustration.
So, where was I? Ah, yes. The new chapter in my life: three years at the University of Suffolk. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The amazing lecturers and technicians provided the most engaging learning experience, pushing me out of my comfort zone. They offered guidance while allowing me to explore my own creative interests, a way of learning I had never encountered before. I created illustrations for “Rebels with a Good Cause,” a book by The Hold – Suffolk Archives, and received a commendation from the BBC Creative Director. This recognition boosted my confidence and showed me what I could achieve when I set my mind to it. After graduating in 2023, I had the pleasure of working with local organisations such as The Saints Ipswich, CHIp Youth, Young Artists in Suffolk (YAIS), and the Global Rhythm Festival.
In September 2024, the design work for my final year project at university won the World Illustration Award in the New Talent Site Specific category. My lecturers submitted it, and I never expected it to go all the way! As I write this, I am still elated by the news and deeply moved by the support and kind words from everyone. This recognition has truly reinforced my passion for design, and I am excited to see where this journey will take me next.
Do I believe in Feng Shui, fate, and auspicious omens? Well, they are a significant part of my culture, and I like to think the stars aligned for me in Ipswich. The luck I’ve experienced didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It came through my wonderful network and the support of local people who lifted me up, provided guidance when I felt lost, believed in me when I doubted, and gave me opportunities to shine and grow.
For those still searching for their purpose in life, find your passion, connect and collaborate with others. Create a domino effect of empowering each other to dream big and be inspired. Be kind, as those I encountered on my journey were to me. This way, we can all do our part to make Ipswich a loveable place where we thrive and remain optimistic for the future!
Sammi Wong
University of Suffolk Graphic Design & Illustration graduate
