The Journey from Concept to Creation: Inspiring Stories of the Design Department
In advancing RT Holdings’ educational mission, our designs and publications are more than mere visual enhancements; they are integral to building and strengthening the RT Holdings brand, shaping a distinctive identity for our school systems. In this RT Connection Issue No. 23, we invite you to meet Mr. Bui Trung Hiep – Design Manager, to learn more about the team behind our publications.
Greetings! Could you please introduce yourself briefly to the readers of RT Connection?
Hello everyone, I’m Bui Trung Hiep, Design Manager at RT Holdings’ Marketing Department. I’ve been with RT Holdings since August 2021.
What factors led you to connect with and commit to your career at RT Holdings?
Inspired by the transformative power of education, I joined RT Holdings’ Design Department in 2021. It’s a privilege to contribute to a company that is dedicated to fostering the growth of young minds. Witnessing students engage with events and activities that feature designs created by my team and me – from concept development to production – motivates me to stay committed to my work at RT Holdings.
How do you balance the need for innovation with the practical demands of meeting deadlines and fulfilling departmental requests?
Each project has its own unique demands, and design work requires constant learning and staying updated with the latest trends through design groups and industry news. Balancing creativity with tight deadlines can be demanding, but it’s a challenge we embrace.
For me, the key to balancing creativity and tight deadlines lies in being intuitive, quickly grasping ideas, and getting to work on those ideas. To complete tasks as efficiently as possible, my team and I always strive to support one another, ensuring we have timely and flexible solutions for any unexpected situations that may arise.
Could you share your most proud design achievement while working at RT Holdings?
One of my proudest achievements was leading the branding project for the Sydney International School System (SISS), a new member of RT Holdings. As Head of the Design Department, I had the honor of being involved from the very beginning, shaping the School’s visual identity and crafting a cohesive brand experience.
It was a completely new experience for us to work on a brand-new school like SISS. Although we faced some initial challenges, my team and I had a lot of fun creating visually appealing materials that truly captured the spirit of the School. One of my favorite projects was designing the school uniforms.
To ensure consistency with the brand identity and create a unique look for SISS, I was involved in every step of the design process, from fabric selection to the final product. Designing the blazers, striped shirts, and ties for the students was incredibly rewarding. Seeing the students wearing the uniforms we created fills me with immense pride and gratitude for being part of SISS’s journey.
How do you ensure that the final products meet the required quality standards?
To ensure the highest quality output, I strive to assign tasks that align with each team member’s strengths, maximizing our overall efficiency. Additionally, collaboration with other departments is key to receiving valuable feedback that helps us continually improve our products.
Beyond learning from our colleagues, my team and I actively seek out and stay updated on the latest design trends. This ensures that our school publications are always fresh and relevant. We are committed to continuous learning and professional development, frequently organizing internal workshops and sharing industry insights to foster a culture of growth and innovation.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to build a career in communication design?
While a strong foundation in design principles is essential, aspiring designers should also develop a strong understanding of marketing and communications. By combining their design skills with a solid grasp of business objectives, they can create designs that are not only visually appealing but also effective in driving business outcomes.
The digital era has revolutionized the design industry, enabling designers to work more efficiently than ever before. The emergence of modern design tools like Figma, Canva, and AI-powered design software requires designers to continuously learn and adapt. To truly excel in this field, it’s essential to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I highly recommend pursuing self-directed learning or enrolling in short courses to stay updated on the latest trends and enhance your skills.
Through the sharing of Mr. Bui Trung Hiep, we can see his open-minded spirit and passion for his design work at RT Holdings. We hope that he will continue to inspire and lead the Design Department to create even more innovative designs, contributing to RT Holdings’ growth and success.
