Siyao Yu: “I see myself more as a researcher. I’d rather leave the actual design work to someone else.”
With each course she completed, a familiar feeling crept up on her: I’m not done yet, there is more to discover. ArtEZ was an instant match for Siyao Yu. “I immediately felt very safe and comfortable here,” she explains. “You become part of the community pretty quickly.”
Researcher rather than designer
During her Interior Architecture bachelor’s course, she already noticed that ‘body’ and ‘space’ are closely related. “Through the master’s course, I gained even more insight into this and was especially concerned with research,” Siyao Yu says. “Exactly what suits me. During my previous studies, I discovered that I really like design and designing, but that I don’t necessarily have to fulfil this role in the field. I see myself more as a researcher, someone who starts the dialogue with people and brainstorms with a team on how to arrive at an appropriate solution. I’d rather leave the actual design work to someone else.” Fortunately, she found everything she was looking for in the Interior Architecture master’s course. “I feel very fulfilled now and can’t wait to set to work.”
Private vs. public
During the two years of her course, she gained an important insight that she says cannot be solved with theory. Siyao: “I discovered that while people can understand something cognitively, that is often not enough to change behaviour. It is really something you need to feel.” As an example, Siyao cites the fact that we take our mobile phones with us everywhere we go. “In architecture, we focus very much on the distinction between private and public, but that boundary has vanished in our digital lives. After all, you are traceable everywhere, making privacy a thing of the past. Everyone understands how dangerous it is, but we don’t do anything about it because it isn’t harming us physically.” Siyao found this so interesting that she made it the theme of her graduation project.
Interaction between theory and practice
How she has developed artistically in the last two years? “In the first six months, you are taught pretty much every artistic method there is,” Siyao says, “and you are also very much encouraged to explore these methods further.” If you are given enough latitude to experiment, you will do so, she believes. “That’s how I found out that – even though just about everything is done digitally – I really enjoy working with my hands. Now I also see it more as a way to explore something, rather than making something because I think it solves something.” What she found tricky at times was the interplay between doing theoretical research and the experimental artistic part. “Those are two brain modes that you have to switch between, which sometimes took some energy.”
If you continue studying, you really give yourself the space to discover what you like and what suits you.”
Did the course ready her for the real thing? Siyao thinks for a moment. “Not for everything, but that’s not possible in this broad sector. You are offered a lot of starting points, though. If you are interested in something but didn’t learn this on the course, you will at least know exactly where to look for it.” You receive different kinds of vocational preparation as a student, she continues. “One time we talked about personal positioning and another time a guest lecturer came and explained something about entrepreneurship. In that sense, a lot of info is offered. What you do with it is then up to you.”
Rich feeling
As she studied for 10 years, Siyao has gone through all levels of the sector. She therefore advises everyone not to stick to just one course. “If you continue studying, you really give yourself the space to discover what you like and what suits you. For example, during my bachelor’s course, I did an “internship” in my own company. There I noticed how important it is to me to be able to delve even deeper. I often felt at that time that I’d rather be in another chair. You then find that out and anticipate it. It now gives me a rich and fulfilled feeling that I understand all facets of the sector.”
Learn more about the Interior Architecture master's course
