Today we’d like to introduce you to Giangtien Nguyen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. I started working in the architectural field in 2010 while I was still in school. For the past 10 years, I have had the opportunity to work on both renovation and new construction projects for residential, K-12, higher education, and multifamily.
For many years, the idea of starting my own business has been lingering in the back of my mind. I’ve always had this desire to do something more. In 2019, I formally set up the first phase of the company called Creative Collaborations. The company provided BIM and CADD services for the Architecture and Engineer community.
Once I started the company, I learned very quickly where my passion lies. The realization came to me unexpectedly but I was not surprised. As my experiences in my career expand, I had a chance to learn more about myself professionally. I noticed my love for business management and operations. This journey of self discovery has been very enlightening and also taught me many valuable perspectives along the way. My 7+ years as a project manager has taught me many valuable skills and knowledge, and I believed that this was the initial seed for my passion for business management.
Very soon after, I connected with Afreen Ali, a co-worker of mine at that time, and now is my business partner and good friend. In March of 2020, we renamed and rebranded the company to INVI. Finding a perfect business partner is like finding your perfect soulmate. She takes the lead in the vision of the company while I take the lead in the management. We are excited to see where this new venture will take us professionally. Sometimes in life, you have to take that leap of faith and be opened to new challenges.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
INVI is a Virtual Experience Design Studio that started in March of 2020 in the midst of the world’s battle against COVID-19, a virus that took over the world. The world was physically distancing and human interactions between one another were negatively impacted. Our hope at the time was for INVI to provide a solution to some of our world’s concerns. Virtual experiences is not a new idea, but it was a solution that was needed as a form to stay connected at that time while the world was shut down.
With that said, INVI’s first project was with FORT BEND County to create a 360 virtual art museum and curated art to commemorate George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter Movement as a sign of immense and heartfelt solidarity. We received an outpouring of artistic submissions from 155 artists from 14 states (CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, MA, NC, NJ, TX, VA, WA, WI) and 6 countries (United States, Colombia, Bangladesh, France, India, and Wales), with individuals ages 1 to 56 years old, We had over 160 art pieces in a 2-days call for submission. Our team completed the project in 72 hours and it was an absolute success. The museum has received over 10,000 visitors, and we were featured on Fox, Houston Chronicle, and National Endowment for the Arts.
Three months later, we formed a team of 10 people all over the world in seven different countries (United States, Colombia, Venezuela, Bangladesh, Brazil, Armenia, and Egypt). We created INVI with the idea of helping the world come together in a different form. INVI becomes a virtual home to many, especially college students who can no longer attend schools and adults who lost their jobs and are forced to be quarantined at home.
Through INVI, all of us continued to stay productive and efficient throughout the battle against COVID-19. We are proud to say we never sat idle and never hesitate to make the best out of any worst situation we are in. The positive outlook we all have along with the passion and desire to grow our knowledge and craft during one of the darkest times in history is something Afreen and I are very grateful to each individual in our team. INVI is not just a project for all of us, but also a virtual home where we share ideas and teach one another. Each individual at INVI brings a layer of their culture and experience into the company and we are always thankful and excited for what the future has for us.
We’ve been impressed with INVI, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Founded in March 2020, INVI is a Virtual Experience Design Studio that helps clients create virtual experiences through architecture, storytelling, and design. Our innovative visuals strengthen connectivity while effectively presenting information in an interactive and immersive way. Technology has encouraged us to experience virtual platforms beyond the physical boundaries.
We work with Clients who are passionate about their work, want to tell a story, or engage their audience. Our products are a creative and customized solution to engage the audience with the contents and give them an interactive platform to learn more.
One of our services include telling stories through cinematic animations captured by immersive environments and compelling narrative. Storytelling is often the ability to reach into our minds and find what is beautiful, what is useful, and what is lasting. An effective animation should never allow the eye to settle in one place, instead, it should inspire you to create your own imagination while waking up your various emotions. We hope our product can give you a memorable experience that encourages you to contemplate and reflect.
In addition, we design virtual experiences through graphics, architecture, and 360 while blurring the lines between virtual and reality. We aim to tell your stories through our innovative visuals as we redefine how information can be presented in an effective and visually captivating way. This is the world where our expressions become our voices as we highlight the human connections. There is no box, no boundary, and no physical limitations. We do not try to replicate the real, instead, we focus on creating a unique experience that is only imaginable in a space that is unreal.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is growing up in a small town south of Louisiana called Buras, with a population of 3000 pre-Katrina. My family of 5 lived in a 3-bedroom mobile home, and my father had a small shrimp boat. Even though we don’t have much in Buras, not even Walmart or Mcdonald, my childhood was full of fun and loving memories. I remembered fond memories of riding bikes with friends, flying kites, going out to the gulf on my father’s shrimp boat, movie nights at my friends’ house and swimming in the river in the summer.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@invi.us
- Website: www.invi.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invi.stories/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/INVI-LLC-101242448396895/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/InviStories
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK_9VVNxQg11pNVy8TBazRw
- Other: https://g.page/invi-llc?gm
Image Credits
INVI
