Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Ho.
Derek, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey I believe started out from as far back as I can remember when I was told the word ‘no’. No was a word that I constantly heard around our house… along with phrase of “you don’t need it!” So, as a child growing up in Hawaii in what would be considered less fortunate by today’s standards, I simply had to make do with what I had. Even though, I did not realize it at the time… I was raised with the less is more philosophy. Which eventually led me to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena… where I refined my skillset and validated my thought processes. Apply daily!
So, if someone tells you no… work to find a viable solution!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not! Working 32 hours a week while also attending high school and college was the theme growing up…. but not being able to do simple things because of work and school and also then being told ‘No’ by my parents was my motivation to swing for the fences so to speak.
So, while in my last semester at the University of Hawaii and on the encouragement of a visiting teaching UCLA professor I applied to The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
However, incredibly even after receiving the news that I was accepted to attend Art Center, my own father vehemently told me no and that he forbid me to go. He told me that I would end up as a starving artist. And if I did go… that he and my mother would not support my endeavor.
So, having worked pretty much all of my life, I had saved somewhere in the neighborhood of $18,000 from my job working as a stock clerk at a neighborhood Safeway store. I decided to gamble on me.
I graduated in 1980 in Graphics/Packaging while also working a night stock clerk position at Alberson’s in South Pasadena.
Like the Hollie’s song the road is long…. and life’s challenges will always be there.
For another time…. politics in the workplace.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Derek Allen Ho Graphic Design – what should we know?
Our mission is to observe, listen and think!
Hawaiian laid back but Art Center serious! To ask why? Why not? And what if?
Setting your business apart from your competition demands fresh eyes along with innovative solutions. A change of view can only be achieved when one is moved off of one’s square. We specialize in logos and branding and we will tell you upfront if we can do the job or not. No egos here.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Mom deserves a big role in my success as she always told me that if I wanted anything… to find a way!
And my wife… she has always had my back!
And my kids… perhaps the other reason was to give my kids the opportunities that I never had.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 310-507-4806
- Email: daho@socal.rr.com
- Facebook: Derek Allen Ho Graphic Design
Image Credit:
Elise Johnson, Vans Triple Crown Poster (D Ho Graphic Design Art Directed Painting – Artist Juno Galang)
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