GWbusiness is a print magazine that published twice a year by The George Washington University School of Business. Up until now, the only alternative version available online is a PDF file.

With the recent issue, we decided to offer a web-standards version for readability and accessibility. Furthermore, the main push is the ability to sell ads online as well. To meet those goals, I designed a simple, clean, organized and easy-to-use layout with an ad space that would be visible, but not distracting.

The focus of site is obviously the contents. I am very pleased with this direction and excited to announce the launch of the online version of GWbusiness Magazine.

What better way to start a New Year than with a new work? The good old folks at Triple Strength just launched Brand3, a blog that focuses on three components integral to creating brands: aesthetics, storytelling and functionality.

My role was lending a hand in turning their gorgeous design into a web blog. Powered by WordPress, I customized the layout according to the client’s mockup and functionalities to suit its needs. The site developed with HTML5 structure and CSS3 for some progressive enhancements. If you don’t see rounded corners, switch to the latest Firefox or Safari. The contents of the blog look promising so make sure to subscribe to its RSS feed.

Working on Brand3 gave me a chance to learn more about PHP and the flexibility of WordPress. Furthermore, it was a opportunity to rework with an agency that I had a great pleasure of working with briefly for before moving to Vassar. Though my time at Triple Strength was only three months, it was a very rewarding experience.

I was up almost two in the morning cranking out a web page for Cu Dao while he was sleeping and rolling around our bed. I wanted to create a page for him when he was first born, but the slideshow took over the priority. Then it just got pushed back. Last night, I decided to just whip it up.

I got up half asleep this morning, changed him, put him in the play room for a bit. We even made coffee together. When it was time for us to leave, he crawled over to me and cried. I picked him up and he smiled. It was so hard to let him go. Anyway, this is for you, my little sunshine.

“No escape would be complete without the strength of seeking freedom by boat people. No words could describe how terrifying boat people suffered on that unforgettable escape.” –boatpeople.org

Words indeed could not describe the boat people’s experience and I have no intention of telling their stories. “Bien Nho” is a personal dedication to my eldest sister. If it wasn’t for my sister who risked her life, I wouldn’t be living in this country right now. This is just to show her my appreciation.

Although the concept came to me a couple days ago, “Bien Nho”— a tune written by Trinh Cong Son and performed by Khanh Ly—has been on mind for a while. I wanted to do something beyond the romantic relationship of the song and this is it: the relationship between Viet Nam and its people.

“Bien Nho” is not a political statement, but rather a reflection of a journey that would stay forever with those who had been through it. My sister is one of those millions who have made it through all the hardships and the sufferings. This is for her and all the boat people.

The visual design for Visaulgui.com hasn’t changed much, but the structure and CSS have been completely rewritten. For the past two nights, I read up the HTML 5 spec and apply to this site while Duke asleep. Mocha BK Joe, currently on promotion for buy one get one free, has been my source of energy. The only way for me to learn is to actually doing it and Visualgui.com is the perfect project to do so. Here are a few resources I have found helpful: HTML5 Doctor, Baseline, Handcrafted CSS and most importantly HTML 5: The Markup Language. If you come across any glitch, please describe it in the comment with the browser that has the issue. It’s time for me to catch some sleep with Cu Dao.

A Flash trailer for Thirsty is now online. This is a collaborative effort between the author, Kristin Bair O’Keeffe, who wrote the script, Jacqueline Francis who came up with the music and myself who created the motion graphic.

Kristin had done a great job of gathering all the pieces together and planned out what exactly what she wanted to express. Jacqueline produced the score based on Kristin’s storyboard. Since both the music and the script were tightly structured, I knew I couldn’t get the synchronization correctly on the first time. I had to reworked the animation to find the right flow as well as the right timing. Fortunately, I got both down perfectly the second time.

I am satisfied with the final product. I spent a whole night after a five-hour drive on it plus a couple of hours here and there. So go check it out!

Kristin Bair O’Keeffe’s debut novel, Thirsty, is the story a woman who lived through an abusive relationship. The book is set in a mythological town somewhere in Pittsburg around the booming of the steel-making industry in 1880s. Although Thirsty is very dark, there were moments of lightness and hope.

To provide the companion web site the dramatic look and feel, a striking steel mill artwork by Craig McPherson as a backdrop. To balance out the dark tone, the title of the book is set in white, large typeface. The blue butterfly was also added to give a sense of hope. In contrast of the homepage, which is completely dark to convey the mysterious tone, the secondary pages turned white for readability.

Thirsty is an exciting project for me simply because I haven’t done a site like this before. The best part of the work is hitting the target on the first attempt. My first draft is usually my best work. This project has definitely brought the creative juice out of me and I am looking forward to doing another book site.

I have always wanted to do a motion piece for my mother, but I haven’t found the right song do pull it together. “Long Me” was obviously my first choice, but that song is like the national anthem for Vietnamese mothers. I needed something more personal.

A couple weeks ago, Cu Dao got up around three in the morning and didn’t want to go back to sleep. Half asleep, I took him down to the living room trying to get him to close his eyes. I reached for a CD without even looking at the title and it was Ngoc Tu Anh’s Nhin Noi Niem Troi. I have listened to the album a while back and was impressed with her lyricism. That night in particular, “Me, Ngan Doa Hoa Doi,” struck my chord. The opening smooth sax intro turned me off, but Hong Nhung’s heartfelt delivery tuned me in. Cu Dao slept in my arms, but I couldn’t help repeat the song again and again.

The next day, I began to hunt down all of my mom’s photos and started the slideshow. This is very much a personal piece and I just had to work with what I had. I started off incorporating types with images, but the types were distracting so I scrapped the words and just let the photos speak for themselves.

With Mẹ, I just want show my love and appreciation for the sweet lady who brought me into this world and has always been there for me. Love you, ma.

This personal slideshow captures my feelings for my first son. The serious tone of the clip is inspired by Duke’s expressions. He always has a deep-thinking look on his face. Even when he sleeps, he would rest his hand on his cheek as if he’s contemplating.

His vulnerable look on the last slide, in which I held him in my arms, gets me every time. He looks so “tội nghiệp” (I can’t think of an equivalent word in English). The poor thing makes me want to hold him tight and protect him from the real world, yet he’s the reason I am surviving in the real world. How ironic is that? Whenever I get so fed up with everyday crap, the image of him gets me going. It reminds me that the day I have him, there’s no storm I cannot weathered.

The piece is also inspired by Tierney Sutton’s outstanding rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.” She had turned a kid tune into a sweet and gentle ballad. The way she phrases the last bar, “Please don’t take my sunshine away,” is the exact feeling I have for Duke. He is my sunshine and please do not take him away from me.

The past three weeks have been so incredible and I am enjoying every moment with him. Why sleep when I have Duke to accompany me? Insomnia has prepared me well. Hope you enjoy my joy!

My project for Vassar’s Campus Activities has finally launched. The clean, simple design replies on vibrant typography to create a sense of liveliness. A huge thank to Megg for her awesome collaboration.

In addition, Chris revives Drama with his skillful illustration and typographic treatment while Tim brings a fresh new vibe to the English department. Fantastic job, guys!