Product Design student and recipient of the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship, Eddy Zhang has always had a passion for creating sustainable, impactful products.
My name is Eddy Zhang. I’m a fourth-year Bachelor of Product Design and Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII) student, planning to undertake Honours in Product Design next year.
I am passionate about exploring and developing ideas through prototyping, research and experimentation to deliver products and experiences informed by an understanding of their purpose. I have a deep appreciation for any creative medium, from books, films, to art and other forms of expression where people have crafted something compelling.
Product design is my chosen form of creative expression, as it allows me to bring ideas to life and craft meaningful experiences for people through thoughtfully designed products that affect their everyday life.
You can explore some of my design work on:
- Instagram: @eddylovesdesign
- Linkedin: @eddylovesdesign
Why UTS?
I explored other options, but it wasn’t until I visited UTS on Open Day that I knew it was the right fit for me.
While researching online gave me some insight, being on campus and seeing the facilities firsthand – like the Fabrication Workshop, Advanced Fabrication Lab (AFRL), and Protospace – made all the difference.
The hands-on opportunities and the campus environment were exactly what I was looking for in a design education. Plus, its central location in the heart of the Sydney CBD made it an easy decision.
Why Product Design?
My decision to study product design was driven by an interest in how thoughtful design can shape and improve everyday life. I am motivated by the belief that the functionality, aesthetic value and honesty of products have the ability to deeply affect every aspect of how we interact with modern life.
Studying product design allows me to explore these ideas in-depth while contributing to creating sustainable, functional, and well-designed products.
New Colombo Plan
I had the opportunity to travel as part of my studies in Global Innovation Studio through the New Colombo Plan (NCP) program. I spent three weeks in Auroville, India, an experimental township focused on human unity and sustainable living, envisioning the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind. While I was there, I experienced a wholly different lifestyle by interacting with people of unique perspectives and ways of thinking.
If there is an opportunity to travel abroad as a part of your course, I highly recommend it. My short-term exchange experience gave me a chance to apply design thinking to real-world problems while working in an international, collaborative environment. This deepened my understanding of the role of design as a tool for social and environmental change, expanding my awareness of sustainability in different cultural contexts. I now feel empowered to seek opportunities abroad and expand my ambitions beyond what is achievable solely in Australia.
What’s next?
In the future, I hope to make an impact on people’s everyday lives by working as an industrial designer. I aspire to collaborate with people who prioritise design that is purposeful, useful and innovative. I aim to continue shaping my identity as a designer by working on a diverse range of projects both in Australia and internationally.
What’s your advice for incoming students?
My advice for people deciding what to study is to find a program that encourages experimentation, allows room for failure, and pushes you to try again. Choose something that aligns with your passions and gives you the tools and opportunities to grow. For incoming UTS students, I recommend you challenge yourself and embrace discomfort—that’s where the most invaluable learning happens.
Experiment wildly and don’t play it safe—university is a time for discovery. It is ultimately this period of exploration that will help you develop your own identity as a designer/creative. The creative environment at UTS has been invaluable in allowing me to grow both as an individual and a designer—unafraid to fail, and always open to experimentation. The product design course not only teaches technical skills but also encourages critical thinking and creativity. It’s this balance of technical learning and personal growth that makes my UTS experience such a rewarding place to study.