Today we’d like to introduce you to Tuyen Ho.
Tuyen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had an interest in advertising and graphic design very early on. I just didn’t realize that’s what it was. Unlike other kids my age, who tacked up posters of their favorite New Kid on the Block (Joey, btw), I had a wall pinned entirely with print ad campaigns that I thought were clever. I collected stationery and packaging I thought were beautiful. Looking back now, it all makes sense.
While taking the creative course for my Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I met a few students studying graphic design, a discipline that I had not heard of before. Seeing the heavy focus on visual design, their curriculum seemed more in line with where I wanted to be, but I stayed the course and graduated in my declared major.
After graduation, I was on track to work in advertising, but as a sales rep or media buyer, and not as a creative. I was in the right industry, just in the wrong career. In 2005, only a year out of school, after encouragement from my oldest brother, Thuy, I made the tough decision to go back and do it all over again. The goal this time was to build a portfolio that could get me a creative role in advertising. I packed up and moved out to California to attend the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. There, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.
In 2010, a couple of weeks after graduation, I was completely immersed in the creative side of agency life at Silverlign Group, Inc. My first assignments were designing digital campaigns for Levi’s, Mattel, Tiny Prints, and Driscoll’s Berries. After my daughter was born, we moved back to Knoxville to be closer to family. In 2012, I joined Designsensory, a fully-integrated marketing and advertising agency. Over the span of my 9.5 years with them, I have grown from graphic designer to sr. designer, to art director, and I am now the director of design to an amazing team of artists.
I think back on how I almost stayed on my original path because it was easier than going back to school, and I am so grateful I had the support from my family to take the leap and pursue my passion, not settle for close enough. I realize my life could be completely different in so many ways, and I do not take that for granted one bit. My appreciation for my journey comes through in my work, every day.
Outside of Designsensory, I stay busy working one-on-one with my personal clients, I’ve been appointed to the Mayor’s Maker City Council as a council member, and I’ve started my own apparel brand, Hex Code.
These days, my family and I enjoy riding around Knoxville together and seeing my designs pop up on billboards, signs, vehicles, and screens. I love showing my daughter the results of staying true to my passion and being brave enough to chase my dreams. It makes her proud and that’s my greatest success.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest struggles as a young designer was not being confident in my point of view. I never developed a distinct design style of my own, and I thought that meant I hadn’t found my voice yet.
Over time, though, I discovered that I am a designer with a diverse range of aesthetics and that is actually my strength and not my weakness. I am now able to design for everything from historic attractions, such as Biltmore Estate, to sports organizations, such as the Tennessee Fund.
That flexibility has enabled me to work on an extremely dynamic range of projects.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work with brands to tell their story in a visual way. I design print and digital pieces, websites, and brand identities.
Though many of my designs and campaigns have gone on to win many awards and fulfill their various purposes, I think what I’m most proud of is that I’ve worked my way into a role at Designsensory where I get time to mentor and advocate for other designers. I know how much it meant to me when somebody took the time to show me the ropes and help point me in the right direction.
Getting to be that person for the next generation of artists really means a lot to me. It’s some of the most fulfilling work I’ve done yet.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid-19 and quarantine really tested the resolve of so many careers and teams. In my case, I learned it is absolutely critical to work with teammates who you trust and care about enough to take on unprecedented logistical challenges to our creative standards. I’m extremely lucky in that way.
I also learned, while working on several Covid-19 PSA assignments for the state, that graphic designers can play an important role in providing life-saving information to the general public.
Contact Info:
- Email: tuyen@bedesignerly.com
- Website: bedesignerly.com
- Instagram: @be.designerly
- Other: hexcodeshop.com
Image Credits
Bryan Allen
