For Ms Wen Lei, who was recently named a finalist for the President's Award for Teachers 2025, design education isn't just about mastering tools.

 

"I liken tools to paint brushes. You've got to know how to use them, but what matters more is what story you want to tell," she explains. This philosophy drives her innovative teaching approaches, like her "five senses" methodology where students experience "Dialogue in the Dark" – navigating spaces in complete darkness with visually impaired guides – to design with deeper empathy.

 

Ms Wen Lei also pioneered the combination of Design Thinking with Futures Thinking in her teaching.

"Design Thinking helps us solve today's problems, while Futures Thinking asks 'what if?'. It trains students to anticipate possibilities and imagine new worlds before they exist," Ms Wen Lei explains. This approach led to Project Zoi, an award-winning augmented reality board game where students used storytelling and gamification to teach children about climate change."

 

Transforming Lives Through Care

Ms Wen Lei's impact on her students goes far beyond the classroom. During an overseas trip, one of her students experienced a panic episode before a major presentation. Her response? Pausing everything.

 

"Deadlines matter, but people matter more," she reflects. The team adapted, redistributed roles, and gave space for recover – demonstrating how empathy and support are central to her teaching philosophy.

 

Ms Wen Lei's care for her charges helped countless students overcome challenges.

 

One student initially doubted her place in design. Ms Wen Lei encouraged her to take on an immersive installation project for NYP's Open House, breaking down the complex work into manageable steps and pairing her with a supportive classmate. The student not only succeeded in creating an engaging experiential space but went on to lead a team of 23 students during Singapore Art Week.

Shaping Future-Ready Designers

As AI continues to reshape the creative industries, Ms Wen Lei co-leads NYP School of Design & Media's AI adoption efforts together with her colleagues. Working closely with AI Singapore, they co-developed new AI certification programme, which will equip all students from 2025 with essential AI skills. While the certification looks to the future, Ms Wen Lei reminds her students: “AI can assist, but it can’t replace your curiosity, your taste, or the wonderful way you see the world.”