We’re pleased to characteristic Huy Phan on this version of the Designer Highlight. His work speaks for itself—refined, expressive, and filled with character—nevertheless it’s the journey behind it that basically caught with us. It’s a narrative of threat, persistence, and inventive progress—one we expect many will join with and discover inspiring. Right here’s Huy, in his personal phrases.
Hey Codrops neighborhood! I’m Huy Phan, an Unbiased Designer and Artwork Director based mostly in Ho Chi Minh metropolis, Vietnam. I’m keen about crafting unforgettable and visually beautiful digital experiences.
Featured work
Huy Phan’s Portfolio (2022)
My portfolio was the primary official venture I launched after turning into a freelancer—and indisputably, it was a life-changing one. Successful a number of SOTDs and, most significantly, a Website of the Month on CSSDA stays my best achievement up to now.
One of many greatest challenges I set for myself with this venture was working with a brand new junior developer—somebody I had by no means collaborated with earlier than. I needed to show {that a} good designer can create an ideal web site whatever the developer. Adaptability is vital as a result of, on this trade, you received’t at all times get to work with the developer of your alternative.
Greater than two years later, my portfolio continues to be going robust. It continues to herald new inquiries, encourage different designers, and has even been talked about in just a few design programs right here in Vietnam.
Severe.Enterprise (2024)
That is my favourite venture by far. It was an honor to be a part of such an ideal group, the place every little thing got here collectively completely—robust collaboration, clear communication, and well-crafted execution all the way down to the smallest particulars. From branding to animation, 3D, micro-interactions, and transitions, each facet was thoughtfully designed. I actually love every little thing about this venture.
My accountability on this venture was to design a brand new UI and expertise for his or her rebranded web site. Large because of the Severe.Enterprise group for giving me the chance to carry this imaginative and prescient to life.
Eislab (2025)
As a meals lover—particularly on the subject of ice cream—I’ve at all times dreamed of designing an internet site within the F&B trade, and I lastly acquired the possibility to design an internet site for Eislab, a premium ice cream model from Germany.
For this venture, I didn’t simply design the brand new UI; I additionally helped outline the model’s path by deciding on fonts, curating the colour palette, and shaping the general visible identification for his or her rebranding.
Mat Voyce (2025)
A portfolio for the sort animation legend, Mat Voyce. Like Mat’s work, this web site is stuffed with surprises, sudden twists, and seamless interactions. Meticulous consideration to element—customized cursors, clean transitions, and tailor-made animations—creates a cohesive and interesting person expertise.
Every part includes a distinctive format, most notably within the Work pages, which spotlight the distinctiveness of every venture. The Private part takes inspiration from his Instagram grid, providing an infinite canvas free of charge expression. Collabs showcases looping animations incorporating different artists, whereas Business presents long-form case research, offering deeper perception into the work completed for main shoppers.
Mathijs Hanenkamp Pictures (2023)
I contemplate this the most effective web sites I’ve ever completed. Designing a portfolio for a photographer, I drew inspiration from the UI system of a digicam, and his stunning images impressed me loads as properly. The result’s an internet site the place transitions take middle stage—from the loading sequence to the acquainted focus impact seen in cameras, seamlessly main into the gallery and fluidly switching between collections.
Background
I fell in love with coding in highschool, which led me to check Software program Engineering in Finland. One course required me to create a private web site, and within the strategy of discovering inspiration and designing earlier than coding, I spotted I cherished design extra. With some Photoshop expertise from my pictures days, I designed my first web site. The extra I practiced, the extra I immersed myself in UI design, studying instruments like Sketch.
On the time, learning software program was too difficult. I made the robust choice to drop out and return to Vietnam to pursue design. It was a troublesome time—my dad and mom had invested loads in my training overseas, and nobody besides my girlfriend (now my spouse) supported my choice. Again residence, I attempted graphic design and animation programs however wasn’t keen about them. I centered on UI/web site design, spending hours on private tasks since I had no shoppers. Happily, one among my tasks acquired featured on Behance, resulting in my first official job as a UI designer in 2018. There, I discovered from my Artwork Director and gained my first freelance shoppers. That was once I grew essentially the most.
In 2019, I received my first Awwwards Website of the Day, confirming that UI/visible web site design was my true ardour—regardless of restricted alternatives in Vietnam. After two years, I moved to a product firm as a digital product designer whereas persevering with to freelance. Nonetheless, balancing a full-time job and freelancing at night time grew to become exhausting, so I made one other main choice: turning into a full-time freelancer.
Since July 2022, I’ve been freelancing full-time. Happily, my portfolio gained extra consideration than I anticipated, incomes main awards like Awwwards SOTD and FWA of the Day. Extra individuals acknowledged my work, resulting in collaborations with worldwide shoppers and companies.
Philosophy
To be sincere, I don’t have a precise philosophy. I merely love design—purely and deeply. I get pleasure from creating distinctive experiences for my shoppers, and I consider that’s why individuals search me out. Due to that, I at all times give my finest in each venture.
I additionally set private challenges for myself on every venture. One is to push my developer by designing one thing they’ve by no means constructed earlier than—it might be a small impact or a posh technical problem. One other is to make use of a font I’ve by no means labored with earlier than. I’m unsure if these challenges make an enormous distinction, however for me, they’ve been my guiding philosophy since day one. They assist me develop as a designer and guarantee I’m continuously evolving, staying aggressive with the perfect within the trade.
Instruments and Strategies
I primarily use Figma for design, often working with After Results and Photoshop, although not usually. Nonetheless, I consider a very powerful software for a profitable venture isn’t software program—it’s communication. Clear and efficient communication is one thing anybody can grasp, and it makes all of the distinction in bringing nice concepts to life.
Inspiration
I largely draw inspiration from observing design in all its varieties—posters, graphics, movement, web sites—wherever I can discover it. I observe many designers and design groups from world wide on social media, so every time I open my cellphone or laptop computer, contemporary concepts pop up proper in entrance of me. I additionally discover movement inspiration in films, music movies, and commercials—they’re trusted sources of inventive concepts.
One other supply of inspiration for me is the older work of established designers and groups I love. Whereas it could be thought-about outdated by them, I see it as timeless. For the subsequent era of designers, together with myself, it’s a treasure trove of worth and perception.
My future objectives
I don’t set any big objectives for myself. I merely hope to proceed nurturing my ardour for design, hold creating, and evolve as I’ve over the previous few years. I goal to earn extra awards and recognition, whereas taking over larger, tougher tasks and dealing with thrilling shoppers.
One factor I do wish to deal with this 12 months is sharing extra about my design course of, experiences, and private views on design.
Closing ideas
After years of exhausting work, I really feel really pleased and proud once I look again on the challenges I confronted at first. What means essentially the most to me is listening to from new designers—particularly in Vietnam—who inform me I’ve impressed them.
I do know I’m nonetheless removed from the perfect and have loads to enhance, however I hope to maintain the momentum going and encourage much more individuals. Turning into a inventive web site designer, particularly in Vietnam, is hard. Many individuals are keen about it, however the trade continues to be rising. By means of my story and experiences, I hope to see extra Vietnamese designers making their mark within the inventive web site trade—simply as we’ve in graphic design.
