Interview: Hoan Phan

Preferred Pronoun?
he/him

Why did you choose to enter this work?
My gut feeling told me, 'It's a good poster to submit!' The poster perfectly represents my life at the moment. I am based in Tokyo, Japan but I always feel proud of my Vietnamese root.

What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
I enjoyed the researching process most. Also I've learned that attention to detail grabs people's attention, and the composition, I want to create more posters with this style.

What excites you most about being shortlisted?
Having my work seen validates the hard work I've put into this project, and all these years, also an opportunity to reach a wider audience, clients.

Where do you usually work?
I mostly work in cafes or sitting at the dining table in my living room. I enjoy spending a few hours outside and then continuing my work at home, using my iPad and a Fujitsu Lifebook laptop.

How long did it take to complete your project?
It took 9 days to complete, including time for the client to provide feedback on the sketch and the final version.

What is your dream commission?
My dream is to create a picture book based on my mom's life during the Vietnamese war. I need a publisher to listen to her story, guide me, and bring it to life together.

What’s your favourite thing to draw?
I enjoy drawing people from rich cultural backgrounds, allowing me to dive deeply into their heritage to collect materials, and learn something new. I also enjoy drawing urban lifestyles.

What is your best tip for other illustrators?
Focus on details, offering viewers various elements to explore.

What are your plans for the future?
Beside refining my skills, seeking opportunities to showcase my work in diverse physical locations, I think keep exploring is important part of being an artist, trying different techniques and styles.


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