Diana Dai

Always challenge yourself, and believe you can do better. Diana Dai , Graphic & Web Design Instructor , The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

It was when I decided to go for my MFA in Graphic Design.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

I value the integration of professionalism, functionality and creativity. That’s what I bring to the classroom. I aim to improve students’ technical and design skills, and their soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring?

After teaching students about the basic concept and method, I encourage them to apply what they’ve learned to hands-on assignments. I want them to challenge themselves by thinking out-of-the box—creating something beyond what they’ve been taught.

How does collaboration contribute to students’ success—particularly when students from various programs work together?

I encourage students to reach out to each other for feedback and solutions, and to share ideas. Collaboration not only improves their communication and collaboration skills, but helps them gain a deeper understanding. When students from different programs work on the same project, they see fresh viewpoints, contribute to the success of the project from various perspectives, and learn how to work as a team.

What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

Always challenge yourself, and believe you can do better.

Anything else you’d like to share?

My role is to train students as professional designers with creativity, ambition, and leadership.