Detail

A red-green colour deficiency diagnosis just before enrolment steered Eugene Ng away from science and into design by chance. Today, as one of Asia's leading experiential creative directors, he has turned that unlikely beginning into a career built on storytelling.

Finding Colour by Accident

Eugene never saw himself as an artist. His sights were set on bioengineering until a routine medical check revealed a red-green colour deficiency, making him ineligible for most science-based courses. Despite having no portfolio and no prior background in art, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) offered him another option: a Diploma in Creative Media Design. That unexpected opportunity became the first step in a career he had never imagined.

Navigating an art-based course with colour deficiency was not easy. Eugene found ways to adapt, even committing the Pantone colour chart to memory. That resourcefulness, together with the unwavering belief of his lecturers, earned him opportunities to represent SP at both WorldSkills Singapore and Crowbars in 2006. "Being able to attend those competitions was recognition that I was on the right path," he shared. The confidence those experiences gave him, combined with the support of those around him, helped him graduate with Merit and secure a place on the Director's Roll.

Climbing the Ranks

From Graphic Designer to Head of Creative, Eugene's career took him across Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. It was a decade shaped as much by the people around him as by the work itself. Many became mentors who took the time to teach him, encourage him, and challenge him to think beyond the craft. Some of those professional relationships grew into lasting friendships that have outlived the jobs and projects that first brought them together.

Those experiences shaped the way Eugene leads today. Now Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director, Asia, at Jack Morton Worldwide, he believes great leadership starts with leading by example and investing in his team. "As a leader, 75% of your work is in people. To help someone develop professionally and personally is incredibly meaningful."

Staying Ahead of the AI Curve

Throughout his career, Eugene has never shied away from new technology. From augmented and virtual reality to digital interactives and artificial intelligence (AI), he has always seen innovation as a way to push creative boundaries. Today, AI has become part of his everyday creative process, speeding up tasks that once took days and freeing him to focus on what matters most: the ideas. Human vision, he believes, should always lead, with AI serving simply as a tool to bring those ideas to life more efficiently.

The same principle shapes his advice to aspiring creatives: build strong fundamentals first, use AI to enhance your work, and never let it replace your own thinking. Developing your own distinctive creative identity remains essential.

Investing in the Next Generation

Mentoring is where Eugene's passion shines through. He sees it as a way to pay forward everything his own mentors once gave him. “Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today,” he said.

Two lessons in particular have stuck with him. One mentor taught him to look for the story and reasoning behind every design, rather than focusing only on its execution. Another changed his perspective on design thinking as a problem-solving approach that could be applied to any scenario. Eugene has since folded both into his own creative vision and leadership.

Those lessons have also shaped how he supports others today, whether it’s his own team or students he meets through SP. In 2025, he returned to SP as part of its mentorship programme, giving students an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at his office, team, and industry. The programme pairs alumni with current students, offering a rare glimpse into the working world they hope to enter.

For Eugene, mentorship is not about teaching someone everything, but leaving them better equipped than before. "Being able to impart just one new skill makes mentoring worthwhile," he reflected. Watching someone grow, he added, gives his work "a different sense of purpose."

Looking Ahead

To every young creative following a similar path, Eugene has a simple message: never lose sight of your passion, even when the industry gets tough. "Trust the process."

As his role continues to expand across Asia Pacific, including markets such as Japan and Australia, Eugene looks forward to sharing what he has learned with an even wider community of creatives. His commitment to paying it forward continues to shape not only the way he leads, but also the legacy he hopes to leave for the next generation of creatives.