We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anh Lê. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anh below.

Anh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am content with the personal and professional growth I’ve undergone, and I am actively working to assert greater ownership and confidence in my creative endeavors. While I occasionally ponder about the conventionality of a 9-5 job, I firmly believe that I am where I am right now for a reason. I have had the privilege of supportive family and access to good arts education, and I’m coming to terms with the kind of work and stories I want to tell. There’s so much more vulnerability in creative work, and it’s something I’m still learning to embrace every day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Anh, a Vietnamese-born, nonresident alien currently residing in the USA. As a working designer and creative, I have worked on a wide range of projects, from building experiential experiences at Bluecadet while also crafting campaigns, brand identity and visuals for a range of brands, such as OnlyFans, Knorr, and The Henry Ford Museum, during my time at Wieden+Kennedy and Mullen Lowe. My work has been prominently showcased in exhibitions, most notably “Materialism in Reminiscence” (2022) and “Name, Place, Animal, Thing” (2023) at theBLANC. In 2023, I was one of the speakers and artists featured at the HASTAC 2023 Conference: Critical Making & Social Justice, hosted by Pratt University. I was chosen as a Design Justice as Practice Fellow at the Center For Urban Pedagogy in November 2022, where I embarked alongside other designers and creatives to learn about social justice-driven design.

My artistic practice revolves around exploring the intersection of image-making, data-driven storytelling, and personal narratives. I use found materials and pop culture references to create playful work that challenges, critiques, and subverts dominant narratives. My work is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of navigating different cultural contexts as a Vietnam-born and USA-based artist (https://finding-vietnam.live/), which have shaped and defined my unique, often paradoxical approach to design.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being a creative means recognizing the value of my perspective and the stories I have to share. It’s a constant dance between facing challenges and reaping rewards. I often find myself fighting for visibility for my work, finding the motivation to pursue personal projects, and maintaining hopes despite immigration uncertainties.

Despite these obstacles, there’s immense satisfaction in coming to terms with my personal narrative and discovering my unique voice to share it with the world. This journey often requires a delicate balance of introspection and seeking support from my peers and creative communities. Receiving feedback and exchanging stories with others who resonate with my experiences is incredibly affirming. It underscores the importance of my creative pursuits and reminds me that my voice holds weight.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Growing up, my exposure to art was limited, but the internet provided boundless opportunities. I learned about graphic design and visual arts by delving into online resources, often relying on shared (and sometimes pirated) materials. This experience instilled in me a strong sense of independence and curiosity, driving me to believe that proving my competence meant tackling everything on my own. This also led me to believe that I had to rely solely on myself for help.

While this belief still holds true to some extent, navigating adulthood in a foreign country amidst economic fluctuations and pandemics often left me disillusioned and exhausted. It stripped away the joy I once found in creative pursuits. I came to understand that human experiences are multifaceted and intricate, and facing them alone is neither necessary nor ideal. Recognizing this, I aim to separate my work from my self-identity and remind myself that seeking help and support is always an option.

As a creative, I’m still in the process of honing my voice and articulating my needs. I’m hopeful that by doing so, I’ll uncover a supportive community that shares my creative vision and can help nurture my endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anhle.work/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anhisavailable/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anhisavailable/