Case Study (Portfolio)
IKA Beauty: My "Test of Strength" in Brand Engineering.
I started IKA Beauty as a personal experiment to see how far I could go in an industry I knew nothing about. Stepping away from my usual creative role, I took on everything—from investing and managing the brand to building its entire strategy. I wanted to prove a point: that with the right mix of UI/UX logic and AI efficiency, you can "engineer" a successful brand in any sector, even beauty.
- Smart Operations: I didn't want a heavy team. Instead, I built a lean system using Google Workspace and AI agents to handle the "boring stuff," keeping overhead near zero while staying highly organized.
- One Shoot, One Year of Content: I treated production like a puzzle. By building a massive "BRAW database" from just one big shoot and using automated color grading, I created enough cinematic content to last a whole year. This meant my designer could work independently, and I was never the bottleneck.
-
Selling Without "Selling": My strategy was simple: stop chasing
people. I used vibe-driven visuals to spark curiosity, making sure the right
customers found us because they genuinely loved the aesthetic, not because they
were pushed.
The Result: It worked. We achieved a ~99% organic client return rate, validated through a strict in-store reception tracking system that captured real-user attribution. I eventually handed over a fully self-sustaining business that runs smoothly with just one independent designer, culminating in a successful exit to SOVIGROUP.
My
Insight
In a world of automated replies, I went the opposite way. I used AI to help me
stay fast, but I kept the "human" touch in every message. People don't want to
talk to a bot; they want to feel heard.
AI is my best assistant—it fixes my errors and polishes my drafts—but it hasn't
quite figured out how to replicate a brand's soul yet. (Though, to be fair, it’s
much better at writing poems than I am.)
- Exit
-
Sold to SOVIGROUP
Packaged full ops system & Business model
Official Post ↗ - Focus
- Smart Ops, AI Automation, Brand Vibe
- Role
- Founder, Brand Strategist, Creative Director
IKA Beauty Ecosystem
CXBOX: Cinematic Automation & Decentralized Hardware.
In professional studios, coordinating large crews to manually operate cameras, lights, and gimbals leads to a high probability of human error and grueling rehearsals. I conceptualized and architected CXBOX—a central 'brain' that orchestrates all these devices automatically via pre-programmed motion profiles, maximizing workforce reduction and eliminating human error.
- The Brain (Firmware Logic): Operating as a system architect, I designed the core logic and directed AI to build a custom C++ ESP32 core that transforms CXBOX into a master conductor. It orchestrates gimbals, focus motors, and lighting with zero-latency precision. Every movement can be saved and perfectly played back across multiple takes.
- The Business Model (SaaS for Hardware): Rather than manufacturing expensive physical units, I flipped the script. Clients source cheap, local DIY modules; I provide the assembly documentation and monetize the "Soul" (the Firmware License) via the CXBOX Web Lab.
- Web-Serial Integration: Clients simply plug their assembled DIY devices into a PC, and the browser automatically diagnoses, flashes the firmware, and licenses the hardware instantly—no third-party software installation required.
- Parallel Roadmap (The Maker Ecosystem): Parallel to the specialized cinema B2B business, my long-term roadmap focuses on nurturing a global DIY community. The CXBOX Web Lab is evolving into a decentralized "Firmware Marketplace" where developers can publish and monetize their own code. By empowering the community, we are creating a new economy where users can instantly discover and flash practical, life-enhancing firmware into their cheap local hardware.
- Deployment & Automation: Project repository is ready. Upon testing completion, the system operates almost entirely autonomously, eliminating dependency on manual human labor.
My Insight
Anyone can reverse-engineer physical hardware design, but the true intellectual property lies in the operational logic. By transitioning to a 'Firmware-as-a-Service' model, I empower clients to build tools locally at low costs, while I monetize the core intelligence.
The Solo Founder Proof: Funded 100% by myself and built through 6 months of relentless solo execution. From soldering embedded hardware and structuring complex logic for AI-generated C++ kinematics, to designing the final Web UI/UX ecosystem, CXBOX is the ultimate testament to my cross-disciplinary mindset and ability to ship production-ready systems from scratch.
- Status
- Field-Tested & Ready
- Timeline
- 6 Months (Self-Funded)
- Role
- 100% Solo Creator
CXBOX Hardware & Web Interface Architecture
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CXBOX MASTER (ESP32-S3) │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ │
│ │ Xbox BLE │ │ Engine │ │ ESP-NOW│ │
│ └────┬─────┘ └────┬───┘ └────┬───┘ │
└───────┼────────────┼──────────┼──────┘
▼ ▼ ▼
┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
│ GIMBAL UNIT │ │ CAMERA UNIT │
│ (HC_GIMBAL) │ │ (HC_CAM) │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘
24-Point Precision Anchor Architecture
Interactive Video - Playable Development
Section: Concept art - video creative, UX, Technical Development.
Spotify aims to create an engaging, interactive video ad campaign. Users will select on-screen options based on their musical taste, resulting in a random track played specifically to match their preferences.
My
Insight
For multi-layered projects - spanning Art, Brand Alignment, Culture, and Tech -
my strategy is built on velocity in planning and concept visualization. I use
rapid, highly visual sketches to pressure-test feasibility and lock in the
execution phase as early as possible.
To me, 'Make it work - Make it right' defines this exact conceptual phase. By
mapping out art sketches and operational logic upfront, I validate project
feasibility early. This strategic move ensures we preserve maximum resources to
ultimately nail the final 'WOW' factor.
In massive production environments - where high volume meets uncompromising
quality standards - relying on pure inspiration will fail; I must apply strict
tactics and formulas. My rarest and proudest asset is exactly this fusion: a
deep aesthetic foundation backed by hard, tech-driven logic.
KEY RESULTS
- Digital interaction
- over ~220%/ target
- Download
- 147% over target
Request me a live demo.
Spotify Interactive Campaign
Savills 30th Anniversary - Market Review
With a corporate giant like Savills, leaving the "artist ego" at the door is the
smart choice. There is no room for freestyling. Becoming part of their machinery is
the way to go.
This project wasn't about chasing a "WOW" from the crowd with fancy decorations.
It was about delivering a minimalist, results-driven
attendee experience. I decoded the C-level’s vision from day one,
translating heavy corporate legacy into a sharp visual system and a highly viable
execution plan. The real win was operational discipline - delivering exactly what
the business needed.
From this, my rule for high-level business events (30%+ C-level guests) is simple:
Drop the costly gimmicks and superficial glitz. I only need ONE strong visual focal
point. Maximize the space for networking, keep presentations clean, and focus on a
refined culinary experience.
Why? Because true luxury doesn't come from stage props. It emanates from the
tailored suits, the prestige of the venue, the substance of the content, and
impeccable hospitality.
- Audience
- C-Suite Executives, Major Corporations
Savills 30 Years Event Concept
Redefining Fintech Visual Language.
This project is a strategic collaboration between Trusting Social
AI and TPBank.
Below is my comprehensive logo development process, encompassing a unified design
language system - from brand identity to marketing visuals and brand voice (visual
communication) - ensuring consistency across Brand, UI/UX, and Animation.
CONCEPT: THE "E" EVOLUTION
The "e" symbol is the core identity, meticulously crafted on a precision geometric grid to ensure perfect balance and scalability.
Originating from a primitive concept of three distinct dots, the animation intuitively visualizes their convergence into the 'E' form. This efficient blend of shape and motion is designed for future scalability, allowing for lightweight conversion into code-based formats like JSON (Lottie) for seamless web-app integration.
COLOR STRATEGY
Following the 60-30-10 rule, the palette uses a deep Navy and Light Blue foundation. Secondary tones are integrated to provide visual depth, akin to the layers of a fine art painting.
Brand VISUAL & VERBAL DIRECTION
Brand shape consistency creates an unmistakable presence, ensuring distinctiveness in a crowded market. However, the visual concept is more than just aesthetics; it is a strict minimalist philosophy, derived directly from the logo’s geometry to dictate a unified brand language.
Personal tech objects serve as the visual anchor, but they also define our Copywriting Tone. We speak the language of "digital natives" - those seeking pragmatic installment solutions. Our voice is as sleek, functional, and direct as the devices they hold.
I enforced a modern, authentic creative direction to reject the sterile artificiality of traditional banking. Staged, emotionless stock imagery and robotic corporate jargon are the antitheses of the brand I created. We don't just "show" differently; we "speak" differently - humanizing finance through the intersection of cutting-edge technology and real-life relatability.
Brand Identity Showcase
Interact with Ads to choose your own dating ending with Tinder.
OVERVIEW
One of the Playable Ads I have developed (At Shuttlerock). Personally led and hands-on executed as Art Director.
ROLE
- Art Director - creative leadership and quality supervision.
- Hands-on execution - interaction logic and visual polish.
OBJECTIVE
Deliver a fresh and exciting interactive experience to boost brand awareness, produced with rigor to elevate credibility and build widespread user trust.
INTERACTION FLOW
- Follow on-screen guidance to make decisions.
- Conclude your own story based on choices.
Tip: Try interacting in the left column on desktop or below on mobile.
Tinder - Interactive Playable Ad
Marketing Campaign (Singapore)
Project executed at Filament Agency Singapore
|
Market: Singapore
Brief: Customers earn free KrisFlyer miles based on their electricity consumption (kW used).
The Challenge: Developing a visual concept that effectively bridges the gap between two unrelated ideas: electricity usage and free travel miles.
My Key Visual Solution: I proposed a concept integrating:
- Electrical appliances.
- Flight and travel imagery.
- Target Persona: Young, dynamic, modern, and high-income individuals.
- Execution: The combination required animation to create a seamless flow between these elements.
Results:
My Role & Responsibilities:
- Developed the handcrafted concept, transitioning from static Key Visual (KV) design to full Animation.
- Supervised design quality and provided creative direction to the design team.
- Managed revisions and adaptation for various assets including print materials and microsite design.
- Pitch Win: The client was delighted with the proposed direction, securing the project.
- Cost Efficiency: The production approach was optimized and feasible, saving costs for the client.
- Performance: Achieved 500 signups in just 2 weeks, with digital engagement rates exceeding expectations by 200%.
PacificLight x KrisFlyer Campaign
Performance-Driven Motion Graphics
A curated vault of high-converting motion assets engineered for global campaigns across Tech, Fintech, FMCG, and Entertainment. My leadership is built on a brutal foundation of Fine Arts and hands-on technical mastery. I don’t just direct pipelines - I understand the mechanics of every keyframe.
Through years of directing campaigns, I've built a strict framework: Video motion must be treated exactly like a musical rhythm. It’s not about random effects. It’s about strategically layering 5 levels of motion to completely eliminate dead air and maintain relentless visual momentum.
Theory is nothing without execution. Watch my actual videos below to see this zero-static-space framework in action.
Professional Experience
Strategic contributions to leading global brands and high-growth startups across Fintech, AdTech, and Creative Production sectors.
Agency (Singapore)
AI-Bigdata Fintech
Creative Production
Fintech (Vietnam)
Experience
Creative Director
Led integrated marketing campaigns for a Singapore-based agency specializing in data-driven strategies and creative solutions.
UI/UX Manager
Led UX initiatives for an AI-driven Fintech pioneer leveraging Big Data for alternative credit scoring across Southeast Asia.
Art Director
Specialized in motion graphic optimization, transforming static assets into high-performing, platform-specific digital ads.
Design Manager / Senior Designer
Created social, motion, and display assets for regional marketing initiatives across Southeast Asia.
The Origin: Art, Science & Business
Looking back at the early years of my career, my journey began with hand-drawing disciplines and a deep passion for DIY handcrafts during high school, which later formalized into a university fine arts education (2008-2012) grounded in color theory, perspective, and visual principles. This deep foundation shaped how I approach art: not merely as an emotional expression, but as a precise science.
While I deeply respect traditional craftsmanship, I realized early on that technology offered new ways to scale creativity. More importantly, I learned a harsh but practical truth: the most impressive intersection of technology and "human" art must serve real market needs and possess a viable business model to survive. This realization naturally guided me toward business operations, market strategy, and product architecture.
Over the years, this journey has shaped my core approach. Combining a fine arts foundation with systems thinking and a pragmatic business mindset helps me design products and lead teams in a way that balances aesthetics, technical feasibility, and commercial reality.
A retrospective example of this foundational discipline: The Eggshell Project (2012-2013) named "Dieukhacmientay.vn": Operating under the moniker "Ben" (a nod to Bến Tre, the hometown where I grew up), my DIY carving work sparked a massive viral wave across art forums and global news platforms. I was recognized for pushing the meticulousness of the craft to its absolute peak—sculpting hyper-realistic portraits with unprecedented precision. Using high-speed dental drills, a single piece demanded weeks of unbroken concentration, where a fraction of a millimeter in miscalculated pressure would shatter the entire work.
However, I closed the project in 2013. Despite the international press and overwhelming outreach from individuals and organizations, I struggled to monetize it effectively. The sudden pressure of community attention, combined with my lack of business maturity at the time, made it unsustainable. Ultimately, stepping away from this project became my greatest lesson—it rewired my mind for zero-margin-for-error execution and became the exact catalyst that drove my pursuit of business strategy and product architecture.
BRAND EXPERIENCE