From College to Car Design and Back Again.
- attended Instituto de Educacao Prof., “Alberto Conti,” San Paulo, Brazil
- graduated 1971, BFA in Industrial Design from Layton School of Art, MIAD’s predecessor
1991, MFA in Design and Studio Arts from University of Illinois at Chicago - currently Professor of Advertising Graphic Design at the College of DuPage
David Chu
“One of the most important decisions to make in life is to choose the right college. Choose one that has a dedicated faculty and successful alumni.”
David Chu has had a life well-lived.
As a student at MIAD, he learned fundamental skills which have led him on a diverse path through various art and design careers. “Growing up,” Chu said, “I always wanted to be a car designer.” And Chu lived that childhood dream not long after his studies, when he took a job with General Motors at a design and manufacturing location in Brazil. From car design to advertising, Chu now spends his time teaching design at the college level.
Q. What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?
A. As a child, I wanted to be a car designer.
Q. What was is your first memorable experience with art and design?
A. My first memorable experience was winning first prize in a high school art competition.
Q. How did your MIAD education affect where you are today?
A. MIAD gave me the foundation I needed to be successful in the fields of art and design. I am fortunate to have chosen MIAD as a part of my education because I learned how to solve problems through traditional techniques and modern technology. When I left my job as a car designer, I was able to get a job in the advertising industry because of the foundations skills I learned at MIAD, such as life drawing, painting, photography, typography, art history, and others. I was able to see the inherent beauty and value of other art and design techniques outside of my major because of foundations.
Q. What are your goals for the future, both in art and design and in life?
A. I plan on writing a book about advertising and design, making video, and participating in community affairs helping minority students.
Q. Are there any specific parts of your résumé that you would like to share? Notable products you’ve created or job positions you’ve held?
A. After graduation, I worked as a package designer at Green Bay Packaging. After a year as a graduate student at the University of Illinois-Urbana, I was working as a car designer for General Motors in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
At advertising agencies, I’ve designed packaging, exhibits, advertisements, and promotional campaigns for companies such as Ford, Kodak, Nestle, and Unilever.
Employers + Clients:
- General Motors
- Frigidaire
- Ford Motor Company
- Nestle
- College of DuPage
- Kodak
- Unilever
Notable Awards:
- St. Regis Packaging Award
- Premio Colunista, Festival Brasileiro Promocao Embalagem
- Faculty Award at the University of Illinois in Chicago
- Best Instruction video “3-D Design Techniques with Plastic Models” for the College of DuPage at AECT Annual Conference + International Exposition sponsored by 3M + PBS.
