Meet Amanda Chum

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Chum. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amanda, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Building confidence is a continuous journey of learning and self-reflection. At its core, it’s all about your perception and response to the situations you encounter. It’s about embracing failures as learning opportunities and taking actionable steps to progress. As a student, I learned that every critique and every rejected concept is not a personal attack but a chance to improve. Viewing my work as objectively as possible, rather than as a reflection of my worth, is a skill I’m continuously developing. As a designer, consistently practicing my craft is what drives my confidence. Curiosity fuels interest, and I believe constant learning boosts my self-assurance in taste and abilities. It is essential to establish and uphold boundaries in both personal and professional life. It’s the bare minimum to function effectively as a human being. These limits support my self-esteem by teaching me to value and respect my own time. Confidence isn’t about perfection—that’s an impossible standard. Trusting your ability to learn, adapt, and grow is the key takeaway to improve your craft and personal development.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I introduce myself as a graphic designer and illustrator who’s passionate about transforming ideas into visually compelling experiences that spark connections. I’m currently studying at ArtCenter College of Design, pursuing my BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Business.

At a young age, I discovered that crafting and drawing opened up a world of limitless possibilities, granting me the freedom to express myself. While I was introduced to dance and piano growing up, it was illustration that consistently challenged my skills and potential as a designer. Now as a packaging and UI/UX designer, I love combining analog techniques, research, and functionality in my designs.

I believe that good design has the power to make our daily lives more beautiful and meaningful, and that’s what drives me in my creative pursuits. I grew up in the 626, San Gabriel Valley, where I’ve always been fortunate to be around amazing eats and experiences. When I’m not designing, you might find me exploring new cuisines, building mechanical keyboards, gaming, and going to the gym.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Reflecting as an individual and designer, I find that adaptability, communication, and creative thinking have been the three most impactful aspects. Design is ever-evolving, and the ability to adapt and learn continuously is important. Setting aside time to stay current with trends, software, and emerging technologies like AI is part of cultivating this growth mindset. It’s oversaid more than it’s overdone, but don’t be afraid to step out of your stylistic comforts. Communication can come in forms of collaboration, understanding needs, or translating ideas, all of which require a level of empathy. Practice active listening and learn to articulate your design decisions clearly. Developing empathy takes a want to understand different perspectives, and as a designer, this would help your work resonate with diverse audiences. Mastering design tools is essential, but don’t neglect and doubt the power of creative development. Experiment with different mediums, keep a sketchbook for your ideas, and as tools change, a strong creative foundation is timeless.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

My approach combines mindfulness, organization, and self-compassion. The first step is acknowledging the feeling without judgment. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed; I practice reminding myself that those moments are temporary. I sit in the feeling and I simply reflect, often journaling daily in my Hobonichi A6 HON. I’ve found that feeling overwhelmed usually signals a deeper need to reassess, realign, and remedy. Most of my work is on the computer, so for immediate relief, I’ll go to the gym or step away from my screen to do something completely unrelated. My focus can get pretty fractured, so I use multiple organizational approaches to aid my prioritization. I use Notion as my main “life hub,” containing all my school notes, career tracking, budget tracking, and to-do lists. I use Notion Calendar and Google Calendar for timeblocking my days. I appreciate having something analog, so I use a Hobonichi weeks as a task manager and habit tracker. This system is years of trial and error to find what’s most effective for me, which is always evolving. Progress isn’t linear, and neither is the mental or emotional approach, so stay flexible and be kind to yourself!

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Mental Health
Mental Health: Inspiring Stories of Perseverance and Resilience

As the prevalence of mental health issues increases and affects an ever larger number of

Leadership Development
Finding & Living with Purpose

Over the years we’ve had the good fortunate of speaking with thousands of successful entrepreneurs,