Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosa Vo.
Hi Rosa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
“Follow your dreams!” This is a piece of common advice that I have heard from many people, and I did. I want to be an illustrator and designer. I first came to the US myself in 2016 without knowing anyone in this country. Seattle is the first city I decide to live during my high school years. I had no fear to cross the ocean from Vietnam to America back then, I wanted to come here for the education and the diverse culture since studying Art in Asia has some limitations. I was excited to be here, I liked everything here until I graduated high school. Going to college in California since it is the most famous state for Cinematic and Narrative Arts until Covid came in 2019. I experienced a lot of challenges in my life during that year since I really missed home, but I want to achieve my dream.
I came back to my home country in 2020 because of Covid, I have experienced all amazing life value through internships and volunteering during that time since I felt lost and afraid of being left behind after seeing plenty of achievements from people my age. What if I cannot get the career that I worked so hard for? What if I am not as good as other candidates?
Therefore, I have to try more to improve my craftsmanship and excellence. Being surrounded by motivated young people during the mission (to help several orphanages) helped me to find my purpose. We all have different paths, but we all try to be better every day. It is a process and we have different stages of our own process toward our goals. It is so inspiring to be part of a passionate group since we don’t care about profits. However, we poured all of our efforts into helping other children. As a story’s teller through art, I wish to bring positive messages about life to others as well as help young people like me to open their minds to look at the world with generosity and sympathy. I can see that we are growing and improving ourselves better with our supportive communities who want to be better at their crafts too.
After coming back to the US, I found myself a family from my best friend who has always supported me. She told me to come to live with her in Houston, I was so lucky since every one of her family makes me feel like I truly have a family here in the US. I started looking for my first internship to help me come closer to my goal. I have learned so much from the past, so I don’t wanna lose any second waiting for the right moment to try. I have a clearer view of my future, so I just need to do it. I need to step forward, even just a little step. I am lucky to find such a supportive community, they always push me to go further in my career when I am not sure of myself.
I was lucky to be part of the Kidwell team, I improved my craftsmen skills rapidly through an amazing leading style and I learn how to organize my plans and life. After that, I joined Greenhat Company – a startup in California, then I was offered as a lead designer at Tawkify till now. I haven’t finished my degree yet (I am a senior at Houston Christian University.) School is helpful, but only if we want to learn more than just lectures.
Of course, I still have challenging experiences sometimes. I always tell myself that I have gone this far, I should be proud of myself, and keep moving forward to my goal; it is closer now. Faith is what motivates me. It works, but sometimes hope cannot win the “let’s give up” thought. I used to think about our limitations, I realized we have no limitations, it is just us, our own limitations. Nevertheless, it is all the mental self-support to keep us being gritty wisely, so we don’t exhaust ourselves mentally and physically. Therefore, training us to have a positive mindset is super crucial to chase our dreams.
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?
There are plenty of struggles as I have mentioned in the previous question. I was lost for a while since I compare myself with others wondering why I cannot be better faster. I was bullied as well during my first job since I was in a toxic working environment I thought the world works that way until I quit and found so much better opportunities. I passed out in classes once since I have tried so hard to push my skills to be perfect asap with all my efforts, I thought I was young so my health could handle everything… After that, I learned how to balance my life. Some groups of friends are not right for me, they don’t believe my dream is realistic and try to tell me to give up. It is just a lot of lessons to balance healthy relationships and go away from negative ones.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Art always impacted me greatly, from the beginning of my childhood. I have fallen in love with the arts, especially as a graphic designer and an illustrator. I am a professional graphic designer and portrait illustrator focusing on branding and marketing.
I am a minimalist designer who tells others stories through my art and designs directly with all of my skills in photography, design, and illustrations. I think my experience and ability to listen to feedback set me apart. It is hard for artists to hear criticism about our works, but I think we need to set ourselves out of our art and focus on the purpose and the goals of the projects. I do not think my works are my identity, they are the prophets to communicate the truth of our lives. Collaboration is crucial in this field if I want my art to touch people.
I always need other experts’ contributions to complete the story that I want to tell. The perfection of imperfection makes life beautiful since there is no best thing ever, just the most suitable for us.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I think my favorite childhood memory is when I pretended to be a princess with my sisters. We created a little theater in our house with blankets to play our favorite scenes in fairy movies.
Pricing:
- Portrait illustration – $120
- Photography theme mini sections – $300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rosavo.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hee__/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL34OvMIXRxKYrklUxPMa2Q
- Other: https://martecompany.com/
Image Credits
Rosa Vo
