HSU Alumna Brings Major Concerts to Life Through LED Visuals

Beyond the music, dynamic LED visuals and expansive visual displays shape the atmosphere, amplify emotions, and create moments that stay with audiences long after the show ends. Behind these visual experiences is Ms. Huynh Thanh Ngan (Jio Han), the 2019 Salutatorian of Hoa Sen University’s Interior Design program, now Co-founder of Goofi Studio and Visual Director at Encore Experiences.

An Artistic Journey Beyond Interior Design

Ms. Huynh Thanh Ngan’s creative journey began with a change of direction. Although she initially pursued the International Business program, her first year at Hoa Sen University (HSU) helped her recognize where her true interests lay. Following that instinct, she transferred to HSU’s Interior Design program, opening the door to a new world of artistic exploration and creative possibilities.

For Thanh Ngan, Interior Design became a starting point for thinking creatively and seeing possibilities in unexpected places. Learning to work with space, form, materials, and functionality helped her turn abstract ideas into tangible designs. Therefore, it taught her to adapt her approach to different creative challenges, skills that would prove valuable as her artistic journey evolved.

Moreover, her creative journey took another turn when an HSU lecturer encouraged her to explore Visual Art. What began as a new area of interest soon became an opportunity to apply her Interior Design knowledge in unexpected ways. This new direction allowed her to revisit what she had learned about space from a different perspective, turning established design principles into possibilities for visual experimentation.

Crafting LED Visual Experiences for Major Stages

In 2024, Thanh Ngan officially stepped into the world of LED visual design as a Visual Artist. The role involved far more than creating striking images on screen; it required her to capture the spirit of the music, understand the stage as a whole, and bring different visual elements together to complement the performance and shape the audience’s experience.

She soon put these skills into practice on a major stage, taking on the role of Visual Lead at GENfest 2024 early in her career. This experience marked an important milestone and paved the way for further opportunities. She went on to serve as Visual Director for concerts featuring Vietnamese artists such as RHYDER, HIEUTHUHAI, Phung Khanh Linh, and Phuong My Chi.

Alongside her work as a Visual Artist, Thanh Ngan expanded her creative practice by co-founding Goofi Studio with Mr. Quoc Bao Phuoc, 2019 Valedictorian of HSU’s Interior Design program. Through the studio, she helped bring large-scale visual concepts to life, contributing to the LED visuals for Call Me by Fire 2024 and participating in 3D mapping projects, including a performance commemorating the 50th anniversary of Sai Gon – Gia Dinh officially becoming Ho Chi Minh City.

These projects allowed her to explore the possibilities of visual storytelling across different formats, from concert stages to large-scale public displays. They also reflected how she continued to build on her Interior Design background, applying her understanding of space and design to create dynamic visual experiences. From designing physical spaces to shaping visuals on major stages, her journey demonstrates how the knowledge gained in one field can open doors to new creative directions. By staying curious, embracing new technologies, and learning through hands-on experience, she has continued to evolve her design expertise into a distinctive approach to visual art.

Embracing Change, Discovering New Possibilities

In celebration of Vietnamese Women’s Day on October 20, Thanh Ngan’s journey is a reminder that finding the right path often begins with the courage to take a different one.

From her initial studies in International Business to discovering her creative voice through Interior Design and eventually stepping into the world of Visual Art, she has continued to explore new possibilities and turn each experience into a stepping stone toward her aspirations. Her story shows that a career does not have to follow a straight line. Sometimes, an unexpected turn can lead to an entirely new creative world. With curiosity, a willingness to embrace change, and the determination to keep learning, young people can discover their strengths, pursue what inspires them, and shape a path that is uniquely their own.

Thanh Ngan’s story reflects the spirit of learning at HSU, where knowledge can extend beyond one discipline and open doors to new possibilities. Her transition from Interior Design to Visual Art shows how curiosity and adaptability can turn an unexpected opportunity into a meaningful creative journey. The most exciting paths are not always the ones planned from the beginning; they are often shaped by the courage to try something new, the drive to keep learning, and the persistence to create a mark that is truly your own.

Translated: Tai Do