ART DIRECTOR, SCHLUMBERGER, HOUSTON TX
John Luu is an art director at Schlumberger, the world’s largest oilfield services company, and he currently serves on the AIGA national board of directors. At Schlumberger, he currently works on product commercializations and integrated campaigns for B2B. With more than 13 years of agency experience, Luu works with clients to develop product branding, advertising, and integrated screen and print communication programs with an emphasis on creative solutions for energy-focused companies. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, he fuses marketing strategy with compelling creative to solve business problems and drive opportunities worldwide. Prior to Schlumberger, John was art director and digital marketer at Axiom, a Houston creative agency. He has also run an independent practice in Sugar Land TX focusing on biotechnology, healthcare, nano-technology, and oil and gas.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Birmingham AL. I live in Houston.
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I attended Otis College of Art and Design for two years and transferred to the University of Houston where I received a BFA in graphic communications.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Lefty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Probably a night owl
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Hazel from Watership Down
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
No
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Robotech, my first introduction to anime and long storylines. Later on I really liked Adventures of the Little Koala.
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild
ANY PETS?
I have an eight year old corgi, Princess Buttercup.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
English, but currently re-learning Vietnamese
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Michael Mann’s Heat
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Jenny Holzer
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Red Cross
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
I like to cook.
WHAT’S THE LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
Stranger in an elevator told me I had a nice smile.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Legos and cast iron cookware.
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Very dark grey
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Frutiger or Univers
DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
Ash Thorp
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Greatest strength is that I very seldom get discouraged. Greatest weakness is that I occasionally antagonize the wrong people.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Cultivate mentors inside and outside your organization. You need multiple points of view who can speak candidly and frankly about your work and career path. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks, they happen to all of us.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
When I was a kid I thought I was going to be some sort of scientist when I grew up.
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. I’m still not 100% sure what this means but I try to let life happen more organically now… at the same time I try to stay focused on some game plan for the future.
