When did I become creative? Well, when I was just 8 years old, I had a life-changing moment. Every day in class, I noticed my 4th grade teacher rocking this sleek white polycarbonate MacBook to make short films on iMovie for the class. Seeing that changed my brain chemistry or something and I fell head over heels for the school computer lab. My first creations were on MS Paint and projects exported on cracked versions of various Adobe software which turned into gigs for my online friends making logos, videos, and assets for their Minecraft YouTube channels — my first taste of remote work.
As I grew up, I got seriously into the whole “how stuff got done” thing. The process. You know those city street play mats, right? The ones with police stations and twisty roads that were perfect for Hot Wheels? Well, I didn’t have one of those. So I took it upon myself to create something even better, more accurate. I remember using my dad’s scrap paper that he brought home from work to sketch street markings and lanes. Those papers with my street designs were littered on the floors. There was a massive comprehensive network of roads made out of highlighter lanes and colored pencil crosswalks. It was a surprise to my parents that I didn’t want to become a civil engineer.
As I got older, my interests naturally shifted. After a trip back to Vietnam, I got majorly hooked on commercial aviation - a passion that's still burning strong. I wanted to be a pilot because I saw how every flight was a chance to problem solve. Every flight posed unique challenges, from flight paths to dealing with air traffic control and ticking off those before-start checklists. Seriously, if you ever get me started on planes, be prepared for a never-ending conversation.
The updated American Airlines livery on an animated 777 named “Tripp” for a brand collaboration with Disney.
Aviation introduced me to the world of design. Airline liveries, in particular. Liveries were this magical thing that helped fliers remember airlines and the unforgettable experiences, both good and bad, they've had with them. A livery, I soon realized, is just one piece of a brand identity. I mean you can even make a killer ad for an airline livery. See where this is going?
It's clear that my childhood passions have played a pivotal role in shaping my journey towards becoming a visual designer. Today, I relish the challenge of crafting visuals that not only make an impact but also resonate deeply, much like the airline liveries, hand-drawn street schematics, and MacBook movies that once left an impression on my young mind. It's a journey that continues to inspire and remind me that sometimes, your childhood passions hold the keys to your true calling.