In Conversation with PanPan Vongsrirungruang
Hi, I’m PanPan—and no, I don’t have a brother named Peter! Originally from Thailand (hence the insanely long surname), I’ve been calling Melbourne home for the past few years. I recently finished my studies at Swinburne University of Technology, majoring in Design with a focus on UX Interaction Design and a minor in Digital Advertising. Throughout my studies, I have worked in the creative industry and have been exposed to a variety of areas, from user interface and experience design to brand identity, graphic design, illustration, and social media campaigns. I have even worked on a bit of SEO and web development, which I have enjoyed a lot. As a hungry young designer, I’m fuelled by curiosity, creativity, and, of course, food, and I’m always up for a chat about Melbourne’s best cheap eats and where to find the best matcha lattes.
What were your initial expectations when you started working with The Brownbill Effect, and how have they evolved?
I had the privilege of working with Sally as part of the Swinburne SoDA course, and I just knew we clicked. Maybe it was the matching shoes we wore on our first day, but right from the start, it felt like a perfect fit. When Sally announced that one of us would be chosen to work with her the following year, I remember crossing my fingers and hoping it’d be me.
I had no idea what kinds of tasks were in store when she called me mid-nap to say I was the one she’d picked! But I just knew that whatever she threw my way, I’d learn heaps and have a blast along the way.
Honestly, my experience at The Brownbill Effect has far exceeded anything I could’ve expected. Working with Sally has never felt like “work”—we’ve had so much fun collaborating and had plenty of laughs along the way. I’ve learned so much from her, not just as an industry expert but as a mentor, a mum, and a supporter. She gives great constructive feedback and encourages me to step out of my comfort zone. I don’t think I’d have had the chance to do a one-minute impromptu elevator pitch in an auditorium Monash University if it wasn’t for her.
What projects or tasks did you find most engaging or rewarding during your employment?
Sally really knows how to play to my strengths, and because of that, I was able to share ideas for projects I was keen to take on. The most exciting one was probably revamping and adding my own twist to the Brand Design. I wanted to refine the existing brand and introduce consistent guidelines across every touchpoint. This included refreshing the website, creating new icon sets, designing updated social media templates, and even tracking analytics to see if my designs were making an impact.
I’ve always been interested in web design, analytics, and branding, and the freedom, encouragement, and support Sally has given me to work in these areas has been something I’m incredibly grateful for.
What skills or knowledge have you gained while working with me that you feel will be valuable in your future career?
It’s been such a full-on year, and I’ve learned so much! For starters, I got to put all the design skills I learned at uni into action on real briefs. I dove into web design, brand design, SEO, analytics, social media, and so many other hard skills.
But honestly, I’m even prouder of how much I’ve grown in my soft skills—confidence, time management, collaboration, leadership, stress management, and so much more. Having an incredible role model like Sally to watch and learn from was huge for me. Seeing how she talks on the phone, manages her busy schedule, pitches herself, and instantly connects with people made a real impact. Over time, I found myself naturally picking up her ways and making them my own.
How do you feel about the level of mentorship and feedback you've received? Was there anything you'd have liked more of?
I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Every bit of advice, feedback, support, encouragement, and mentorship Sally has given me has been constructive and grounded in her years of expertise. She never misses a chance to acknowledge where I’m doing well and always offers helpful feedback on areas where I can improve. To be completely honest, I didn’t know a relationship with a “boss” could be this good.
What advice would you give to a future student stepping into this role?
Know when to step up and take initiative. Sally has so much on her plate, but designing graphics isn’t one of those things—it’s a team effort, and I found the perfect balance with her to create our best work. I had to be ready to explain my design choices and stand by my work confidently.
You’ll also have plenty of chances to step outside your comfort zone. I never imagined this role would mean talking to clients on the phone, doing print work, networking with industry professionals, or even giving an elevator pitch! But looking back at every nerve-wracking moment, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Over time, it all started to feel natural. My advice to the next student: embrace every opportunity Sally offers you. You’ll look back and be amazed at how much you’ve grown.
Where to now?
It’s been an incredible year at The Brownbill Effect, but now it’s time to say goodbye. As tough as it is to leave, I’m excited for what’s next! I’ll be graduating this December with a Bachelor of Design, majoring in UX Interaction Design, and I’m ready to dive into a full-time role in the UX/UI field. Working with Sally has been a dream, and I’m so grateful for everything I’ve learned here.
And don’t worry, Sal—I’ll still text you and be at every event you host 🙂 Thanks again for such an amazing experience; I’ll be forever grateful for you.
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