We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tiffany Chen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tiffany, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
To keep my creativity alive, I stay open-minded about what’s happening in my daily life. I believe inspiration can come from anywhere, so I make it a habit to keep observing the world around me, whether it’s through nature, interactions with people, or everyday moments. I also make sure to nurture my curiosity, always exploring new ideas, techniques, and technologies. Surrounding myself with people who inspire me is key, as their energy, passion, and unique perspectives help spark new ideas and push me to think outside the box. My creativity definitely thrives in an environment that embraces growth, openness, and constant exploration.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m still exploring the possibilities in my professional career, driven by a love for live event production and projection design—a path that evolved from an initial interest in live events into a dynamic career. It started back in college, where I was studying economics but found myself drawn more toward stage management for campus events than a traditional office role. When COVID hit, I saw an opportunity to dive into what I was passionate about, leading me to pursue a master’s degree in Live Experience Design. This immersive program gave me hands-on experience across lighting, video, sound, and even computer programming. My thesis project, Aku Anak Manusia, was a deep dive into lighting, sound, and video and set a foundation for my work today.
After graduating, I was fortunate to connect with industry professionals who helped me enter New York’s live event scene. Working with talented designers, I’ve contributed to shows from The great Gatsby on Broadway to NYFW LaQuan Smith Show, to major corporate events like Made On YouTube event, where I worked under pressure to coordinate and create content. I continue to be inspired by the blend of technology, creativity, and storytelling that projection design demands, and I’m excited to see where this path leads.
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?
I’d say one of the most important thing is keeping a positive, proactive attitude—especially when things change at the last second (which they always do!). Second, staying open to learning new things has been huge; each project brings something unexpected, and diving into new tools or approaches has opened some awesome doors. Finally, being quick on my feet and knowing what to prioritize is key in live events, where timing is everything. My advice? Skills are great, but tech’s always changing. Stay curious and adaptable, and you’ll be set no matter what comes next.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to navigate the professional world, which was challenging to grasp coming straight out of school. As a freelancer, I often change workplaces, so I’ve adapted to different environments and people with unique working styles. The rapid pace of technological advancement in my field has shown me the importance of continuous learning, as much of what’s needed isn’t fully covered in school. I’ve also become comfortable with the constant challenges of tackling things I don’t initially understand, learning as I go—this adaptability has been key to my growth and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://productiff.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: @productiff
Image Credits
Christopher and Justin Swader
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