ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH MANNY CHANG YU
June 30, 2023
In our Associate Spotlight series, we are highlighting associates across the company who are shaping our community and who embody our Centric Brands philosophy every day.
Meet Manny Chang Yu, Assistant Designer, Entertainment at Centric Brands. Through his experience, Manny combines his creative abilities with his marketing knowledge, to make a meaningful impact in the industry and contribute to the success of Centric Brands.
Can you tell us about your role and what your team does?
As the lead of the Design Operations team, I play a crucial role in managing the process of assembling art packs for licensed sleepwear styles at Centric Brands. My responsibilities include gathering design elements and information from the Design team and compiling them into comprehensive art packs.
The art packs are a consolidated source of visual and technical details for the licensed sleepwear styles.
Once the art packs are assembled, the team uploads them into the Flex PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system.
In many cases, the licensors may provide feedback or comments on the styles they receive for review. These comments serve as guidance for further refinement and adjustments. The team collaborates closely with the Design team to carefully review the feedback and revise the sleepwear styles accordingly. Through the years of experience from reviewing and understanding licensor feedbacks, I help the team to address the details in advance as much as we can foresee.
When you’re balancing multiple projects, how do you keep yourself organized?
Prioritizing projects based on their importance and urgency is my approach. By focusing on one project at a time, I can dedicate my full attention and energy to it, ensuring quality and timely completion. Prioritization allows me to maintain a clear sense of direction and helps prevent tasks from piling up or getting delayed. However, there are instances when simultaneous requests require me to juggle multiple projects. In such cases, breaking down each project into smaller tasks is an effective way to manage my workload. I can allocate specific time slots by dividing the projects into manageable chunks or dedicating days to work on each task.
How do you typically approach problem-solving?
I typically approach problem-solving by first carefully understanding what the problem is at hand. I would investigate how the problem was generated because many times when you track the source of the problem, it provides the answers to the solutions. And finally, I use the knowledge and experience I acquired to solve the problem.
How did you become passion about your career choice/ this career path?
My passion for my career was ignited while studying Marketing at Baruch College, where I had the opportunity to pursue a Minor in Graphic Design. While completing my degree, I ventured into sales, hoping to find a long-term career path. I soon realized that it wasn’t a profession I was genuinely passionate about. After facing disappointment during my job search, I decided to rekindle my interest in Graphic Design. I decided to return to college and pursue further education in this field. Motivated to pursue a career that aligns with my passions, I eagerly applied for the Summer Internship Program at Centric Brands. During my internship, my dedication and talent did not go unnoticed by my manager. She recognized my unwavering passion and the skills I brought to the table. As a result, I was presented with a remarkable opportunity, and I am proud to say that I embraced it wholeheartedly.
What’s something surprising about you that not many people know?
Identity is a complex tapestry woven from our cultural background, language, and the places we call home. As someone born in Venezuela but of Chinese descent, my life has been shaped by a rich blend of cultures and experiences. I was raised in three different countries: Venezuela, Hong Kong, and the United States, and I speak three different languages: Cantonese, English and Spanish.
