Misaki Tsukamoto

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

I am fascinated by the ability of design to improve everyday life all over the world beyond different languages.

What is your educational background and why did you choose to study your course?

When I was a university student, I studied colour psychology and published two theses, both of which focused on lighting. I chose this course because I wanted to learn more about not only colour design but also a variety of other areas of design.

What motivated you to pursue study at postgraduate level?

Before coming to this school, I worked as a product manager for a web service that was used in several countries. While working there, I noticed that there were cultural differences in how people perceived design. Therefore, I decided to study abroad in order to gain a better understanding of cultural differences in design.

What aspects of the course did you enjoy the most?  

I really enjoyed being able to learn in a practical way about fields other than my own (e.g., textiles, infographics, etc.). The weekly assignments in each area assisted me to improve my design skills. My classmates, who have backgrounds in different fields, also helped me to broaden my mind.

What do you plan to do once you’ve finished your course, and how do you think the skills and knowledge you’ve developed at Leeds will help with these plans?

I'd like to work as a planner for a service that will be rolled out to a global audience by utilizing the knowledge from this course. I think the experiences I spent time here with people not only in my course but also in my flat, society and community, will help me.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your time at Leeds and on the course?

I enjoyed attending the exhibitions and events organised by the university. Leeds has easy access to all parts of the UK, and Manchester or Leeds Bradford Airport is close by, so it's easy to explore Europe.

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying for your course?

I had no practical experience as a designer before coming here, but my professors and friends were always there to help me. Even if this is a new challenge, there are many people who will cheer you on, so I'd say go for it!