Yet Another Emotional Good-bye Post

A NOTE FROM THE HEAD DESIGNER: 

It is quite rare to see designers making notes about anything at all on the Lumen Studet. Our role as designers is typically to present information in the form of visuals. Even the text or typography used in designs are a form of art, today I would like to make a small little exception. (I honestly had considered making this entire post in design form but I figured that everyone would probably be sick of my designs by now.) 

I really had not realised that my position as Head Designer for the Young Journalists’ Club was ending so soon, not until the other day when I asked Amanda (the Head Editor, read her last note here) about our new theme for October. Once the words left my mouth, the word “graduation” flashed in big (font size 72), red (#ed2024), bolded letters (Futura medium).

My position as the Head Designer was basically handed to me on a silver platter since there were no candidates and I was the only one who submitted pieces of work that year. #TrueStory. Being a designer is tough. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve sat on a chair just waiting for indications of a good turn-up for the upcoming meetings. We are probably the smallest group in YJC and to give you an idea of how small our team is, we only have one head and no board of directors. However, I also cannot tell you how happy I feel when somebody notices our designs. It makes all the sleepless nights, changing colours over and over again just to see with one is the best match; all of that, just so much more worth it. 

So before I go, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation and endless gratitude to a few people who have been an absolute joy to work with.

Firstly, of course, to my amazing and extraordinary (senior) design team, 

(From left to right: Ashley, Rachel, Wei Xin, myself, Jade and Sarah) 

Jade, who has been my constant companion since I was eight, my partner in crime and sometimes no-sleeping-until-we-publish-this-design buddy; Wei Xin, the single goofiest yet most serious person I have ever had the joy of meeting; Sarah, you design God; Rachel, you quirky ball of laughter and Ashley, the youngest yet the tallest cutie: thank you so much. Thank you for staying up late to complete a design, thank you for enduring my constant nagging, thank you -  just thank you. I could not have asked for a better team and a better group of friends. Sorry if I have ever ever offended you guys in any way, you guys are my rock(s) and for all you guys have done for me, I am eternally grateful. 

(If you guys are reading this, you must be thinking: could Val have chosen a better picture? The answer is no.) 

To the greatest fellow-heads in the world, 

Probably 2 of the most famous students in the school, do they even need an intro? 

Amanda and Wye Mun, thank you for not rolling your eyes when you hear me shouting “MAAAAAAAAANDAAAA” or “MUUUUUUUUUN” across the classroom, hall or anywhere else. Thank you for paying me quick compliments when designs are posted on the Lumen. Thank you, because I don’t know if I could have survived being paired up (tripled up?) with anyone else besides you two.

To my new head designers, my prodigies, my little minions,  

(From left to right, Ian Lim, myself and Choo Li Ling)

I wish you both the greatest luck in the world. Work hard and never give up! As Dato' Freida says, nothing is impossible. (especially not programming)

So, on the theme of this month, what's next?  What's next? Well, I think I speak for everyone on my 2014 design board when I say: who knows? With the future unknown, I can only hope that my talent of choosing the best font will be of assistance when I am writing an application. 

Yours, with greatest gratitude and appreciation, 

Law Veng Yee

Head Designer of 2014