Let’s keep it real. I was born in Vietnam and arrived to the United States in 2003 with my parents as first-generation immigrants. You've heard the immigrant stories before, the ones filled with relentless hard work, adversity, and an unwavering expectation for their child to achieve something great.
I'm here writing this because my parents worked their asses off to send me to college so that I could do what they couldn't - use my talents to help the communities I represent. Since coming to the States, my dad has woken up at 4am to go to his blue-collar job. My mom filed nails and scrubbed feet. Never complaining. All so I could excel at something I'm passionate about. So how does this relate to my portfolio?
When you're the sole English speaker in the family, you learn to perceive the world through a unique lens. As an 8-year-old calling to schedule appointments or navigating complex public transportation routes, you begin to appreciate the value of places that offer a more user-friendly experience and a well-thought-out design. An intuitive hospital scheduling website or good bus signage made a world of a difference for families like mine.
As society evolved to adopt more technology, my family adapted too. Think about how hard it is for people who didn't grow up in the internet era to use a smartphone. Now couple that with not knowing English. How do you design something that bridges these gaps, something that allows people to connect with the world seamlessly? That's the puzzle I grew up wanting to solve.
Why did I become a visual designer? I've contemplated what buttons my dad has to click to call his relatives back home. How the notifications look so my mom knows it's time to take her medication. Visual design isn't just a profession for me; it's my way of interpreting the world. Design, at its core, is about understanding and empathy, and few grasp the power of outstanding visual design as profoundly as those who have observed its capacity to aid, contrasted with the impediment posed by subpar design.
As I progress in my career as a visual designer, my skills will be used to break down barriers and celebrate diversity through inclusive design. Whether crafting universally appreciated websites, brands, ads, or creating UI so intuitive, that it earns my mom's seal of approval.
My parents' sacrifices drive me to create a world where design empowers them and everyone like them.
Here you were thinking I was gonna write about my mom's pho recipe.