91¸£ÀûÉç

Charissa Yong Xin Lin, a Diploma in Interior Design graduate, is a proud recipient of the prestigious Tan Kay Yong Gold Medal, awarded to the best design student from graduation cohort of 2025.

Charissa Yong Xin Lin’s design journey began at her family’s dining table, where she created her first artwork with her parents – a marble-effect painting. Today, the table still bears paint stains, scratches, and remnants of her early creative process. More than just a workspace, it stands as a symbol of her parents’ unwavering support and her lifelong passion for art and design.

At the age of seven, Charissa discovered the profound impact of interior design while watching the HGTV show Fixer Upper. Witnessing run-down spaces transform into aesthetic and functional homes sparked her curiosity about how interiors shape people’s lives. That childhood fascination eventually led her to 91¸£ÀûÉç’s Diploma in Interior Design (DID) after graduating from Evergreen Secondary School. The course’s structured curriculum and diverse hands-on projects cemented her decision and nurtured her growth.

Throughout her time at 91¸£ÀûÉç, Charissa emerged as a top achiever and an all-rounded student leader. Her talent and dedication earned her numerous accolades, including the AY22/23 and AY23/24 Director’s Honour Roll, the AY23/24 School of Architecture & the Built Environment (ABE) Prize, the 91¸£ÀûÉç Interior Design Awards 2024 – Youth Excellence Award, and the 2024 Design Excellence Award – Spatial Design Awards (91¸£ÀûÉçADE) Best in Retail Design (Highly Commended).

Beyond academic excellence, Charissa embraced every opportunity to lead and grow. Once a quiet student who rarely sought the spotlight, she flourished at 91¸£ÀûÉç — taking on leadership roles such as Event Lead for ABE Movie Night, Overall-in-Charge for ABE Bonding Camp, Programme Head for ABE’s Freshmen Orientation Camp, Chairman for the Diploma in Interior Design Day 2024, and even leading the ABE End of Year Show event team. These experiences helped her discover the power of community and the joy of bringing people together through meaningful events.

Outside of 91¸£ÀûÉç, Charissa also left her mark on the wider design community by joining the Society of Interior Designers 91¸£ÀûÉç (SIDS) Student Chapter. As part of the publicity committee, she supported event coverage, managed social media, and contributed to marketing campaigns promoting professional accreditation — gaining valuable insight into the evolving industry landscape.

Her internship experience opened new creative pathways as she ventured into experiential design, working on projects like museum planning and furniture exhibitions. It was here that Charissa found her calling: to design spaces that go beyond four walls — immersive environments that engage, connect, and inspire. She now dreams of becoming an Experiential Designer, creating exhibitions, museums, and pop-up installations that blend design with purpose and emotion.

For Charissa, design is not just about aesthetics. It’s about people, community, and creating meaningful experiences. In ten years, she hopes to be at the forefront of projects that spark joy and connection, while also giving back through design societies and community initiatives.

That paint-stained dining table at home is no longer just where it all began. It has become a powerful reminder of how far she has come — and the limitless future she is designing.