ITE scholar's passion for product design will shape your tomorrow

This article was contributed by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

Andrea Lee Zi Qin
Nitec in Product Design @ ITE College Central
Recipient of Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal

 Product Designer on a Mission

Andrea relishes the experience of imagining, creating, and marketing products that cater to consumer needs and wants.

Casual window shopping trips became meaningful application opportunities as she started to observe product designs versus practical functionalities.

Her acute observation skills and passion put her in good stead when she started her internship with homegrown company, Trigger Design. 

Under the tutelage of President Design Award Winner, Ms Chan Wai Lim, she built on her skills gained in ITE with valuable market exposure – from working with projects from Multi-National Corporations like Samsung, Panasonic and Kohler; to rendering designs for patent-pending products for her internship company and clients.

The fast learner acquired 2D illustration and 3D modelling skills on the job, honed her marketing presentation skills and stretched her creativity to generate product concepts targeted at reducing COVID-19 risks.

Andrea’s current skills set as a Product Designer in the making is a testament of her zeal and determination to be the best at what she does. 

Design a Better Tomorrow

Andrea shared: "I believe design is a means to express our thoughts and emotions.

"What makes it even more special is that we interact through designs every day, and we may not even realise it!

"The world is forever evolving and we need to keep up with the changes.

"As a Product Designer, I get the chance to shape your tomorrow. 

"This quote from Bruce Lee well sums up my thoughts on this: 'If you want to learn to swim, jump into the water. On dry land, no frame of mind is ever going to help you.' 

"To help me design a better tomorrow, I must always be in the motion of learning."

After ITE

Andrea is pursuing a Diploma in Product & Industrial Design at Temasek Polytechnic. In future, Andrea hopes to revisit her other love – floristry, and combine her knowledge and experience in Product Design, to innovate the art of floristry. If possible, she may start her own floristry business.

Top Achievements 

• Andrea has consecutively made it to the School of Business Director’s List whilst pursuing her Nitec course in ITE College Central.

• She was awarded the CDC/CCC-ITE Scholarship in 2019. This Scholarship is awarded to the top 10% of GCE ‘N/O’ level entrants in each Nitec or Higher Nitec intake at ITE. 

• Andrea was an active and valuable member of her College’s Student Council. She contributed in the Active Ageing Festival, SBS Kindness Movement and other Student Council signature events.