We were lucky to catch up with Tevy Khou recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tevy, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always sketched ever since I could remember and had always been the artist in the class. Whether it was background painting, animation or editorial work, I knew I just wanted to draw all the time. My parents are immigrants and musicians who lived a very full life before me full of many ups and downs. They didn’t want to be as strict as their parents and wanted a better life for their children. In that respect they gave me a lot of freedom to chase my artistic dreams. I knew I loved art from an early age and it wasn’t until high school where I committed to the idea of pursuing a creative career as an illustrator and figuring out the details later. I wanted to be an artist no matter what. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I would be miserable!

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?

I’m an illustrator and designer driven by the spirit of the underdog. I tend to gravitate towards stories of resilience untold experiences of underdogs. It’s no surprise that the clients I attract are drawn to these same themes, resonating with the daring edge I bring to each project.

Growing up gay and Chinese-Cambodian; I often felt like an outsider. That experience shaped my perspective and my art. I learned to see beauty in and strength in standing apart. Those lessons continue to inform the stories I tell and the stories I bring to life in my work.

During college, while children’s books and illustration dominated discussions, I often felt out of place. My professors recognized my talent but weren’t sure where my work belonged. My art has always carried a bold, unapologetic energy—a commitment to creating with purpose rather than simply aiming to please.

As a multimedia artist, my work is mainly illustration but includes graphic design, art direction, and short form animation. My client roster includes Apple, BuzzFeed, the Steve Jobs Archive, and more. Recently, I’ve been diving into the world of posters and key art, eager to amplify raw, evocative stories on a larger scale. Today’s culture often prioritizes specialization, driven by the internet and social media, but I believe creativity thrives when it defies limitation. There’s a unique beauty in work that spans disciplines—a dynamic force that refuses to be confined.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that I got to figure out who I was earlier on in life. Not just my sexual identity, but also my sense of self and purpose. I think that the biggest misconception about making art is that the final product is the neatly packaged final solution. Many times through the process of making art you tend to create a web of answers. People tend to think that creativity is fun, and it can be, but it’s a mental exercise. The best thing about knowing who you are is that no one can tell you otherwise. I think I’m a stronger person because of that.

To be able to make something out of nothing, or something out of many somethings is deeply rewarding. It’s a process that transforms raw ideas, emotions, or materials into something tangible and meaningful. It’s about finding connections where others see chaos, turning fragments into a cohesive whole, and giving form to the invisible.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

There will always be someone who undervalues your work and someone else who thinks it’s absolutely brilliant. Even the most celebrated artists, with shelves full of awards, aren’t universally adored. Creativity is subjective, and that’s where its beauty lies—there’s value in different styles and forms of expression. I’ve had people call my work “garbage” and others call it “genius,” sometimes in the same week.

This is where self-awareness becomes your anchor. When you truly know your message and feel confident in your execution, critiques become easier to evaluate, whether you absorb, reflect, or discard them. Non-creatives often don’t realize that every single step of a creative’s process is scrutinized—by bosses, clients, or even fellow creatives. And just when you think the feedback loop is over, someone invites you to a portfolio review.

Another thing I’ve noticed is how many organizations offer mentorships to people who are already overqualified and simply need a chance to work. If your goal is true diversity, equity, and inclusion, this isn’t the way to achieve it. Let’s rethink how we open doors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tevykhou.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tevykhou