At Toru, we don’t just design digital experiences, we design careers. Over the years, we’ve opened our doors to emerging talent through internships, placements, and apprenticeships that go far beyond coffee runs and shadowing. We give people real work, real feedback, and real opportunities to grow.
Here’s the story of three designers - Tia Dang, Alice Louise-Waller, and Chiko Kurniawan - who began their professional journeys with us. Each brought something unique, and each has gone on to do remarkable things.
Tia Dang: From Illustrator to Entrepreneur
When the world paused in 2020, Tia stepped forward. A first-class graduate in Graphic Design & Illustration from De Montfort University, she came to us with curiosity and ambition, and left with a multidimensional design skillset.
Although she joined us through a digital marketing apprenticeship, Tia quickly immersed herself in everything from animation and HTML emails to UX design and QA testing. She tackled real client projects, experimented in our internal tools, and never once coasted.
Now the founder of her own business - Tia Dang Studios - she’s building brand identities and content strategies for a diverse range of clients. We’re proud to have played a part in her evolution, and proud that our culture helped nurture her confidence and creative voice.
Alice Louise-Waller: Bringing Energy to Everything
Alice joined us in the summer of 2023, after impressing us during a group project with Graphic Design students at the University of Northampton. Talented in both animation and visual design, she made an immediate impact, not just in her work but in the way she lifted those around her.
Over her internship (and later as a Junior Designer during university breaks), Alice worked on high-profile client redesigns, brought a fresh edge to our own rebrand, and even led creative initiatives like our Earth Day celebration.
We would’ve loved to hire her full-time - but like many in our industry, the economics of late 2024 made expansion a challenge. Alice landed brilliantly though, securing a role at Clarity advertising agency. She continues to thrive, and we continue to cheer her on.
Michiko “Chiko” Kurniawan: Design in Every Detail
Chiko caught our eye at the University of Northampton’s 2024 Degree Show. She brought her thoughtful, thorough approach to everything she worked on during her internship.
In just a few weeks, Chiko delivered dozens of illustrations for our website, conducted a UX deep-dive on our internal tools, contributed to our marketing strategy, and strengthened our brand assets with sharp visuals and insight.
She’d already secured a position at Xero by the time she joined us, but she left feeling more ready than ever for her first big role. And she left us better, too.
Why It Matters
We’re proud to be part of these stories - not just because of the great work these designers did, but because of what their journeys say about us. We’re a hive of creativity, a space for growth, and a company that sees the value in giving emerging talent real opportunity.
We’re also deeply connected to our local community and proud of our ongoing relationship with institutions like the University of Northampton. These partnerships keep us curious, inspired, and plugged into the next wave of creative thinkers.
