/About

Self-portrait.
At Ugii Lake, Mongolia, 2024.

I’m Ánh, a designer based in Vietnam, creating delightful interfaces and fulfilling experiences. My work takes form of web design, brand identity design, graphic design, publication design, product design, exhibition design. The list goes on. For a few years, I worked with the team at a Saigon-based design studio to realize well-crafted projects. These days, I work independently as well as alongside other designers and developers with focus on digital-first services.

In art and research, my focus spans challenging and expanding the perceived functions of tools (exposing the inner workings and nuances of machines makes humans coexist with them better), exploring human vulnerability, speculating on consciousness, and performing internet satire.

Principles

The bit I wrote about how design should be is a personal belief and a loose guide I hold for myself with regard to my practices. It’s an overly simplified statement—just a starting point to build upon. Here are a few more of what I believe in:

  1. Be hyperaware of context and consider the meta.
  2. Pleasure is both function and form. Inspired by Charles Eames
  3. But when design needs to be uncomfortable, make it painstakingly so.
  4. Make space for impulsivity and intuition, governed by good taste.
  5. Negligence in your craft is immoral. Inspired by Nam Cao
  6. Avoid becoming three design disciplines in a trench coat.
    Care deeply about the matter at hand.
  7. Acknowledge the presence of your influences.

Interests

Things I like to research, collect, or practice:

  • Fountain pens and inks 
    I was never really into sheening inks but Sailor Shikiori Tokiwa-matsu is my new favorite. The shading and sheen are even more beautiful in person.
  • Analog photography
    My first camera was a Canon AE-1 I got when I was 16. Several SLRs and point-and-shoots later, I’m experimenting with an Olympus XA2.
  • Backpacks
    Finally got a Moment Everything Backpack in black!
  • Everyday carry and multitools
    Love the design of Leatherman Micra—small but mighty.
  • Juggling
    Although I can’t juggle 3-ball cascade perfectly just yet.

Newsletter

Since January 2026, I’ve started a monthly-ish email newsletter where I share about life and work. You can subscribe to it here:

Planted May 9, 2025 • Tended Apr 2, 2026