Participant 1
-Interview with Heidi ChangCould you tell me about yourself? What is your practice and how long have you been working in the UK?
I am a designer and businessman for global company. I had taught graphic design at Kookmin University and had my own graphic firm in Seoul Korea. I came to the UK in 2019 and graduated from Kingston University in Curating Contemporary Design.
Recently I did Korea Pavilion in London Design Biennale 2023 as an art director. We won third from public vote.
If you have engaged or been engaging with any creative industries in the UK, How did you find your roles or values there?
The concept for London Design Biennale was mixed reality and we had partnerships with Vortic. As an art director I was working with Korean designers and british people. My role was like a conductor for the orchestra working with different type of instruments (different designs methods: film, music, video, carpentry, architecture, VFX and VR technology).
Have you ever felt less or not fit into the creative industry in the UK when you’re engaging with it?
Mostly I enjoyed working in the UK than Korea. There are no biases based on genders or ages. Although there are obstacles due to cultural differences and language barriers.
Social skill is important than actual work sometimes and I am think I should develop that aspect.
Have you engaged with creative industry of any other countries? Could you think of anything from that country is different from your current engaging creative industry environment? Or anything you think they can learn from each other?
I have had worked in the US and Korea as well. If you work for global companies there are not much differences but the people are different.
It is sensitive to mention any differences between cultures but korean tend to criticize others a lot. Maybe Korean people are more direct than British. In my opinion, American working environment is more collaborative than Korea. Working with Vortic (British Company) was smooth and efficient. But again I think who you are working with is difference than countries.
What do you think would be your competitive edge that you can confidently bring to the UK creative industry?
My ethnicity first, and network from Korea to the UK. It was successful exhibition for London Design Biennale even though our budget was low. There are needs from Korean people who want to promote their works in the UK and I can bridge between Korea and the UK.
I am a designer and businessman for global company. I had taught graphic design at Kookmin University and had my own graphic firm in Seoul Korea. I came to the UK in 2019 and graduated from Kingston University in Curating Contemporary Design.
Recently I did Korea Pavilion in London Design Biennale 2023 as an art director. We won third from public vote.
If you have engaged or been engaging with any creative industries in the UK, How did you find your roles or values there?
The concept for London Design Biennale was mixed reality and we had partnerships with Vortic. As an art director I was working with Korean designers and british people. My role was like a conductor for the orchestra working with different type of instruments (different designs methods: film, music, video, carpentry, architecture, VFX and VR technology).
Have you ever felt less or not fit into the creative industry in the UK when you’re engaging with it?
Mostly I enjoyed working in the UK than Korea. There are no biases based on genders or ages. Although there are obstacles due to cultural differences and language barriers.
Social skill is important than actual work sometimes and I am think I should develop that aspect.
Have you engaged with creative industry of any other countries? Could you think of anything from that country is different from your current engaging creative industry environment? Or anything you think they can learn from each other?
I have had worked in the US and Korea as well. If you work for global companies there are not much differences but the people are different.
It is sensitive to mention any differences between cultures but korean tend to criticize others a lot. Maybe Korean people are more direct than British. In my opinion, American working environment is more collaborative than Korea. Working with Vortic (British Company) was smooth and efficient. But again I think who you are working with is difference than countries.
What do you think would be your competitive edge that you can confidently bring to the UK creative industry?
My ethnicity first, and network from Korea to the UK. It was successful exhibition for London Design Biennale even though our budget was low. There are needs from Korean people who want to promote their works in the UK and I can bridge between Korea and the UK.
Participant 2
-Interview with Selina Yang
Could you tell me about yourself? What is your practice and how long have you been working in the UK?
Generally 2 years, technically 5. Working for a jewellery brand for 2 years and a half.
If you have engaged or been engaging with any creative industries in the UK, How did you find your roles or values there?
Interact with different company, goldsmiths center, encourage young designer and contribute with the uk industry. Thinking of my own jewellery, bring my own languages and culture. Inspired by different thinking, with new eyes and new materials. Bring the flesh ideas.
Have you ever felt less or not fit into the creative industry in the UK when you’re engaging with it?
Of course. For me, it’s normal to us because of the language and culture barrier. When I feel because of the background.
Have you engaged with creative industry of any other countries? Could you think of anything from that country is different from your current engaging creative industry environment? Or anything you think they can learn from each other?
What do you think would be your competitive edge that you can confidently bring to the UK creative industry?
Participant 3
-Interview with English teacher from Australia working at Education First in Guangzhou, China
Could you tell me about yourself? What is your practice and how long have you been working in China?
English teacher in China for around 25 years, in Guangzhou. Taught children and teens aged 3-18.
How did you find your roles or values in your type of industry in China?
It’s demanding to be a teacher in the classroom and with all the adminstrative work, as well as dealing with parental demands, it’s fulfilling but the pay should also be higher to reflect our demanding work.
Have you ever felt less or not fit into the industry of your area in China when you are engaging with it?
Yes it can be a challenge to work with Chinese values on their ways, while also being an advantage too, giving me a different point if view. But I found many Chinese people can use this approach as an excuse, “this is the Chinese way”. I see it this way, that these people would rather not challenge their views and actions, they don’t want to challenge their views and actions, they don’t want to change their ways.
What do you think would be your competitive edge that you can confidently bring to your Chinese work industries?
Despite the challenges listed, I’m always open to the new and different ways of thinking and acting. I work hard and I’m a compassionate person, which may not always fit with the Chinese culture at work but is still necessary and can lead to better working conditions and employee satisfaction.
What would be your general requirements for working in China?
Comfortable salary and a quiet place to live near work. Management that is flexible in its approaches.
Participant 4
-Interview with Shine Sha
Could you introduce yourself? What is your practice and how long have you been working in your role(s) in the UK creative industries since you graduated?
Hi, I am Shine. I graduated from MA course last year from Kingston university, currently working as a AR Jewellery Designer and exhibition curator.
Were there any difficulties you experienced when first adapting to the UK creative industries environment? Have you since overcome these?
There were some difficulties, like the policy and management differences.
How have you found your role(s) or your value in creativity or any other contribution from yourself when you were engaging with the UK creative industries?
I enjoyed working in the UK creative industries. It offers me more challenges and opportunities at the same time.
Does anyone or any organisations help you with adaptation or contribution of value to the UK creative industries?
My friend helped me.
Have you engaged with the creative industries of any other countries? Can you think of anything in particular that you need to do or pay attention to in that country as well as in the UK?
I also curated exhibition in China. I have to make sure the concept and interpretation of the exhibitions are educative to audience in all age-group.