Olivia Chen
Creative Director, Studio Chenchen
Olivia has been a designer for 13 years. she has collected a range of clients, meaningful recognition, and influential collaborative partners throughout her professional journey across three continents. Olivia is also an esteemed educator, teaching graphic design at Shillington College in Sydney.
Olivia is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English, and the influence from both Eastern and Western cultures shapes our studio and is seamlessly infused into her work.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
Having a curious mind and always loving to learn new things.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I started doing Advertising in NYC, then branding in Hong Kong, and Melbourne. I am now solely focusing on branding and brand strategy. Right now I own my own independent design studio where I collaborate and creatively direct different types of people/ talents for projects. I am working on securing more long-term partnerships with brands and also with collaborators.
Your favourite food for thought
Books
- Courage to be Disliked: The Japanese phenomenon that shows you how to free yourself, change your life and achieve real happiness
- How to be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- Front and Center bt Alex Center and Kevin Batory
- A24 Podcast
- Design Matters with Debbie Millman
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Authenticity
- Fun
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Resilience
- Inquisitiveness
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
History. I love the past and find it fun to compare history with current events. History, art, and movement do repeat themselves.
You as a Mentor
Why have you decided to become a mentor?
I have a pretty unusual background from being an immigrant: I studied design in the U.S., worked and failed in advertising, and went through lots of zig-zagging in my career. As an East-Asian woman moving and working in a western country, there is much baggage and hurdles I didn’t know exit until after I had overcome them. I wish to help people with similar backgrounds as me and get more immigrants, PoC, or people with English as their second language to thrive and integrate into this industry.
What are the top skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Confident
- Direct
- Empathic
- Intuitive
- Non-judgemental
Ready to be a part of Assisterhood as a Mentee?
We are now up and running in QLD and VIC – and we’re only just getting started! Let’s shoot for the stars – together!