Jie Yin

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From an early age, I have been captivated by art and design. My creative journey began with cutting and layering coloured paper and newspapers into collages, discovering the joy of transforming simple materials into expressive visual compositions. Throughout my youth, I spent countless hours sketching, experimenting, and imagining new ways to shape and enhance the spaces around me.

This passion naturally evolved into a lifelong pursuit of interior design—a field where creativity meets functionality. Inspired by watching design programs and observing how well-considered spaces influence daily life, I developed a deep appreciation for the power of interiors to evoke emotion, improve comfort, and foster human connection.

My approach to design is grounded in curiosity and sensitivity to how people experience space. I believe that thoughtful design extends beyond aesthetics; it is about creating environments that feel alive, authentic, and meaningful.

THE FORGE COMMUNITY HUB - GROUND FLOOR WORKSHOP

The Forge breathes new life into the Box Hill Brickworks, creating a sustainable, inclusive community centre where culture, nature, and connection thrive. The workshop features a striking yellow steel staircase, exposed brick walls, and timber flooring, while the industrial-style ceiling echoes the character of the original Brickworks factory.

THE FORGE COMMUNITY HUB - AUDTIORIUM

The Forge revitalizes the Box Hill Brickworks into a vibrant community hub celebrating heritage and connection. The auditorium combines red feature furniture, brick walls, and timber flooring beneath an industrial ceiling that bridges the old factory identity with modern design expression.

A SECOND CHANCE PROJECT - DINING GATHERING SPACE

A Second Chance Project — Social Cohesion seeks to strengthen community unity through social enterprises that fund programs supporting the homeless. The dining and gathering space is designed to foster connection between guests and the broader community. A central sky void introduces natural light that contrasts with the reception area, symbolising openness and hope while creating a welcoming, uplifting atmosphere.

STUDENT SWINBURNE VILLAGE - KITCHEN

This project focused on designing a modular apartment unit that could be replicated on-site to form a cohesive “village” for students and university guests. The kitchen space was designed with warm tones and natural textures to evoke a welcoming, homelike atmosphere.

MUSEAM OF THE HANDMADE - MULTIPUPORSE EXHIBITION AREA

Dedicated to the display of handmade artifacts, the project integrates a clay façade system that balances seasonal comfort—harnessing winter sunlight to warm the interior while mitigating heat gain during summer for sustainable temperature regulation.

Acknowledgement of Country

The School of Design and Architecture respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and knowledge-keepers of the lands, waters and sky that surround us, where we work, learn, create, communicate and make place. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded and this always was and will always be Wurundjeri Country. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to make a better world through design.

We extend our acknowledgement to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, real-life clients, and knowledge keepers, who have contributed to our own education diversity and growth. We will continue to ensure that staff and students respectfully honour ancestral connection to Country and Place in everything that they do.

We are dedicated to the notion of design to make a better world and we acknowledge that making tools, shaping place, sharing stories, making meaning, wayfinding and collaborating have long been and continue to be both central and integral to First Peoples' cultures. We recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural contributions have continued relevance to design practice and commit to: reconciling ancestries of design and contemporary practice as well as pursuing culturally and professionally appropriate ways to engage with a diverse population of colleagues, industries and clients. In a time of treaty-making and voice we understand that there are overlaps between caring for Country and the sustainable production of goods, services, experiences, products and buildings.

Guided by the principles of respect, reconciliation, and reciprocity we undertake to indigenising and decolonising design practice by dismantling colonial structures and challenging biases that have marginalised Indigenous voices and design.

As students of SoDA you will be given opportunities to both engage with and educate yourself in Indigenous creative practices and cultural protocols through a lens of inclusivity, diversity, respect, mutual understanding, inter-cultural dialogue in all aspects of design practice. Indigenous people have been telling stories, making tools, and connecting to Country through visual media, placemaking and place marking for more than 60,000 years and these practices are part of an ongoing, evolving and live tradition.