Leading with Quiet Strength and Creative Empathy

Olivia Lim (Diploma in Experiential Product & Interior Design, Class of 2026) reflects on how she grew into a thoughtful designer and steady leader at Nanyang Polytechnic, earning the Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design & Media 2026.

I have never been the loudest person in the room. For a long time, I looked up to natural leaders and wondered what it would take to become one.

Over time, I realised leadership does not always have to be loud. I found my own way of leading. Observing carefully, listening deeply, and understanding people before taking action. This quiet approach shaped how I grew as both a designer and a leader at NYP.

My worldview expanded through overseas exchange programmes to Finland, China, Hong Kong, Germany, France and Switzerland. Visiting institutions such as Aalto University and learning from different cultures and design practices opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and strengthened my desire to keep learning globally.

As I grew more confident, I stepped into leadership roles. As Vice‑President of the Society of Interior Design Singapore (SIDS) Student Chapter in 2025, I helped connect students with the professional design community and supported student‑led initiatives. My involvement in an NYP capstone project with the visually impaired community reinforced my belief that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about creating space for others to feel heard.

This mindset guided me through challenges as well. During the PolyFinTech100 API Hackathon in 2024, our team faced difficulties midway. Instead of giving up, I focused on listening, aligning perspectives, and helping the team move forward together. This eventually led us to become Category Champion at the Category Finals and First Runner-Up at the Grand Finals.

The same approach carried into my internship at H.A.M. Creations, where I got to experience how an events production and visual merchandising company is run. I had the opportunity to work on major projects such as the Sephora Holiday Installation in 2025. In the process, I also learnt to stay calm under uncertainty, ask better questions, and collaborate closely with my team.

One of my most meaningful experiences was leading my Final Year Industry Project with IHH Healthcare. My team digitalised health declaration forms for potential rollout across hospitals and conducted a design thinking and prototyping course for staff. Seeing them grow in confidence and capability was deeply rewarding. Together, we mapped patient and staff pain points and presented a proof of concept to management.

Looking ahead, I hope to study Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore. I believe its integrated design approach will allow me to further develop my skillsets as an experience and multidisciplinary designer.