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Calvin CHU
VP Brand Design | SYFY
Calvin is the VP of Brand Design at the Syfy Channel in NYC. He is responsible for the company's design across print, digital, event installation and motion.
influences
questionnaire
What was your very first job?
My first job was working in the New York Mid-Manhanttan Library, when I was a first year in college. I still remember looking through the image collections on index card catalogs for clip arts and reference images for my design project. That was before the google image search!
Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.
I am the Head of Design at Syfy Channel. I am responsible for the channel's brand identity as well as design for all programming. I work closely with a team of print and on-air designers to oversee design projects and work with external design agency's.
How did you discover that the creative world was right for you?
My mother was the key inspiration. I knew I wanted to be an artist since I was 8 years old. Through encouragement from my mom I fall in love with drawing and painting at young age. It has stayed with me throughout the years and I am grateful that I've been able to build a career in the creative field. I don't feel like I go to work everyday, and I truly enjoy what I do for living!
In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
It's a matter of being as open minded as possible-- the trend is happening right around us. Traveling expands my visual vocabulary. As the technology advances, the world gets smaller and we really need to see things differently, more globally.
If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation it required, rather than its recognition or industry "success," what would it be?
It's so hard to pick one project, but I have to say the project that I feel most rewarding usually are the one's that have limited budgets and resources-- being able to collaborate with others to find the perfect solution and solve the problem. To me it's all about the ride, a great creative process is much more important then the end result. But when you get it right it's all worth it!
