I'm Jiayin Hou, a graduate student of UIC 2020 MAD, also the first graduates in MAD. I was a student of finance when entered into UIC, but because of my love for art and I happened to hear that the school opened relevant majors, I transferred to MAD after careful consideration. After graduating from UIC, I received offers from UAL, Goldsmiths and Edinburgh College of art of the UK, Savannah College of art and design of the United States, as well as the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne University of technology in Australia. I chose the United States for my master studying stage due to its teaching method, climate and school scholarship. However, because of the epidemic, I started my gap year in 2021. In this year, I did many design related internships, and finally had a clear understanding of my design ability and the direction I want to develop in the future. In 2021 September, I flew to the United States and began my graduate study. Now I am still continuing to explore in the field of art and design.

Awards:

·The 2020 Dayi Era Original Illustration Design Competition - Shortlisted Award 

·International College Students' Hand Drawing Art and Design Competition - Silver Award 

·2020 C-IDEA - Design Award

(The graduation design works were selected into the Doosung Paper Art Museum in Seoul, Korea and participated in the exhibition; The work was published in c-idea Design Award 2019-2020 Yearbook)

For MADer:

It is normal for people to feel confused when they were young. There are a lot of time at college. Everyone is still very young. We didn't have anything when we were young, but we have the opportunity to start over and choose again. Choice is very important, trial and error are also very important. At the stage of university, which has a lot of time, I hope you can make the best use of your leisure time to improve yourselves, then explore, take risks and try. Everyone has a road suitable for themselves. Don't be afraid, just do it! come on.