ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
Ray Dao writes: “Hello! I’m a San Francisco‑based Vietnamese Graphic Designer. I graduated from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Winter 2016. I was born and raised in Hanoi and moved to America in early 2012. Minimal design that communicates clearly and precisely is my passion, because of where I’m from, the design is chaotic and has neither order nor any system to tie everything together. I’ve always been a fan of German and Japanese design since I started learning about graphic design. I’m also a type-geek, I love to spot typefaces from random signage on the street or any book I pick up. My mind is always on branding or book design, although I love any design challenge that the future presents.”
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Hanoi, Vietnam and San Francisco USA
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Defiantly a night owl
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Growing up I didn’t have a chance to learn any instruments
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams
ANY PETS?
I’ve a Dachshund back in Vietnam.
LANGUAGES YOU ARE FLUENT IN?
Vietnamese and English
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Lost in Translation and Heat
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
René Magritte
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Walking in Nob Hill with my girlfriend
LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
I’m stubborn for a good cause
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Beautifully designed print such as books, clothing tags, museum tickets and maps
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Pantone 172C
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Fortescue by Colophon, Circular by Lineto
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Research/Getting carried away pursuing a project aesthetically instead of designing the story around it
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Art critic
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” ‑ Aristotle
