Alice Chau
Senior Graphic Designer
Chronicle Books
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Loved studying computer science / engineering in college.
Worked at a software / web consultancy, got laid off due to dot-com bubble. Felt the need to explore.
Started taking graphic design classes at night while working at a startup. Loved it.
Decided to pursue design full-time. Worked on portfolio.
Accepted to Art Center College of Design to study Graphic Design.
Chosen for Design Fellowship at Chronicle Books.
Freelanced and worked around the city. Also did volunteer design for food-related organizations.
Got my dream job as a full-time designer in the Food&Drink group at Chronicle Books.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Senior Graphic Designer
I design cookbooks.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Design
Food
Being Creative
Day to Day
Designing interior layouts and covers for upcoming books. Managing projects, including working with freelance designers and typesetters. Art directing photo shoots, working with photographers, food & prop stylists. Talking to editors about the overall vision and thinking about how to position books differently than the competition. Typesetting and text corrections.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for professionals
Talk to designers working in the field. Take some classes. See if you enjoy the same types of things that these designers enjoy.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"You should pursue a career that makes a lot of money."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation Immigrant
