Phuong: Design with a thirst for knowledge

What is your role at linkyard and what are your responsibilities?
My official job title is Project Assistant at Synemos, a subsidiary of linkyard. Here in Vietnam, I am one of the first people to take on hands-on responsibility for building the company from the ground up. In my day-to-day work, I focus on front-end web development and design, as well as branding and marketing.

Describe your professional background.
I jokingly call myself a "full-stack designer". With seven years of experience in agencies, education and tech, I can usually solve any challenge thrown my way, and then I call it a day.

I hold a Bachelor of Digital Media from RMIT Vietnam, with expertise in graphic design, web UI/UX, motion graphics and full-scale multimedia production.

Most recently, I spent several years at Groove Technology, where I filled multiple roles simultaneously: graphic designer, video producer, sales and marketing representative. My background also includes freelance design for brands like BAEMIN Vietnam, a digital marketing internship at ADC and early leadership experience as president of the RMIT Green Generation student club, where I managed budgets and fostered engagement.

How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
As a "greedy little SpongeBob" for knowledge – I’m constantly soaking up information (even if I don't own a pair of square pants).

What do you like to do in your free time?
I have many hobbies and spend a lot of time on them. During the week, I do Pilates – highly recommended for office workers like us to keep back pain at bay. On the weekends, I switch between badminton, chess, casual gaming and baking. What can I say? It’s all great fun!

What question has changed your perspective?
It wasn't a question, but the first sentence from my instructor in my very first design course: "When you receive criticism, it’s about your design, not you. Fix the design and move on. People don't have a problem with you, they have a problem with what you’ve made, and that can improve from day to day."

Since then, I never take workplace criticism personally. It keeps me sane and makes me very easy to work with.