Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Nguyen.
Hi Anne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in the Bay Area, spending my formative years in San Jose, California. Despite my peers perceiving me as creative, I initially didn’t fully embrace that belief. Unlike most designers growing up, I didn’t express my creativity through drawing or painting. Instead, I was drawn to stories and spent much of my time buried in books. Reflecting back on my youth, I realize now that my creativity was manifesting in other ways, such as my sense of style, choice of language, and unconventional approach to things.
My journey into design began during my high school years. I was a self-taught designer, starting with web coding and later delving into graphic design for websites as a hobby, unaware that it could become a career. While I wish I had recognized my path sooner, I was influenced by the belief that creative careers were few and far between and financially unstable. It wasn’t until almost a decade later that I realized this was a misconception. By then, I was well into adulthood, but I took the initiative to pursue my passion by enrolling in design school for formal training. Upon graduating, I immediately began my design career, working on projects for consumer brands and entertainment.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Although my journey as a designer hasn’t been entirely smooth, it has undeniably been a blessed one. I’ve experienced a consistent flow in my career and had the privilege of serving on a board of advisors for a design program, advising on shaping their curriculum according to today’s standards and expectations. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with design students as a guest speaker and participate as a panelist in portfolio presentations, offering feedback to support them in their career transitions.
A constant challenge I face, and I believe many fellow creatives do too, is that the design industry remains overlooked and misunderstood by many. The general public lacks a full understanding of what we do, often viewing it as mere “art” or “just a hobby,” resulting in creativity being undervalued. Non-designers fail to grasp the complexity involved. They may be shocked to hear of companies spending millions on a logo without realizing that a brand’s identity involves much more than a simple emblem. Consequently, I make a concerted effort to begin each project by effectively communicating its value to clients, helping them understand my rigorous process and how it can enhance their business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an Art Director and multi-disciplinary designer, I specialize in conceptualization, branding, and marketing. What sets me apart is my reputation for showcasing versatility and out-of-the-box thinking in delivering creative solutions. I prefer to approach each new project holistically, deeply understanding my target audience and leveraging aesthetics as a powerful tool to achieve specific goals. My design philosophy is firmly grounded in the principles of design thinking, coupled with a commitment to excellence, ensuring that each project I undertake embodies the highest quality standards.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t really subscribe to the notion of good or bad luck. Instead, I see life as a series of moments and opportunities that unfold naturally. It’s about the choices we make in those moments—whether to seize or overlook those opportunities. In reality, I believe we create our own luck. If you truly desire something and have the courage to not just dream about it but also take action, you can make it a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ancreative.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/an_crtv
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/an-creative
Image Credits
Chris Ho
