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The first thing people notice about me is my sense of childlike wonder. My life experience has been unusually diverse and absolutely magical. I aim to be very present with the people I spend time with. I ask good questions and perceive between the lines. I love dancing on the border of being intuitive and deliberate. All this is reflected in my art, my music, and the professional work I do for others.

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Brand-obsessed since 2005

When I did my thesis project on branded environments at ArtCenter College of Design, I thought we were just designing cool themed spaces. I didn't realize it would lead me into a fulfilling career of helping brands achieve their goals by communicating their most authentic values. I've refined this process over two decades working at agencies and as a consultant. With each new project, I gain more modern tools, tech, and insights. Whether you're starting fresh or expanding your brand into new territory, I can collaborate with you to develop your brand strategy. And with my background as a designer, I can meet any visual design needs your team may have, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand experience.
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Some of what I'm currently doing:
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  • Serving on the board of directors and conducting educational workshops for The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing arts and activism in the AAPI community.
  • Releasing music under the moniker Dragonfroot, including art and videos to promote my full-length album entitled Pollen.
  • Creating and hosting "Mind Over Matcha," a YouTube show and podcast where I and my guests share everyday epiphanies – tiny droplets of wisdom that could change how you see the world.
  • Writing a book called "Baoisms: Everyday Epiphanies of a Mindful Artist."
  • Designing and constructing artwork and signage for my Burning Man camp, Black Rock City Refugee Camp.
  • Mentoring budding musical artists from the AAPI and LGBTQ community.
  • Of course, producing some great brand strategy projects for my clients and helping some of them become amazing speakers. 
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Some of what I've done:
  • Helped define the brand positioning for University.fm and Professors.fm, allowing the podcasting businesses to better understand and communicate their values as part of a cohesive family of brands.
  • Received an Unsung Heroes award at Asian Hustle Network's Uplifted Conference for my activism work within the AAPI arts community and collaboration with The Slants Foundation.
  • Co-wrote and produced "The Band Plays On," a full-length album by The Slants, the all-Asian American rock band famous for their unanimous victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in a First Amendment case.
  • Was profiled on the front page of Nguoi Viet Daily News, the oldest and largest Vietnamese language newspaper in the US, in an article entitled "Vietnam-born Artist Bao Vo Uses Colors to Paint Music."
  • Produced and hosted "Coffee with BAO," a pandemic-borne interview show focused on the stories of creative people from underrepresented backgrounds.
  • Released my debut solo album "Perpetual Heartbreak" during the pandemic, under the moniker BAO.
  • Served as Brand Director and designed the brand identity for Ayotree, an edu-tech startup focusing on underserved and developing markets.
  • Helped conceive and produce, and designed the brand identity for, CPOC Music, the first music business conference in the US featuring all BIPOC presenters.
  • Served as a strategic advisor to and designed the brand identity for Clever FM, a podcasting technology startup and participant in the Techstars Music startup accelerator.
  • Composed the musical score for "Quan 13," a documentary film by Hieu Gray, which examines the culinary evolution within the Vietnamese diaspora in Paris.
  • Founded and sold Juicykits.com, an online retailer of do-it-yourself kits that help people create desert terrariums containing live cacti, succulents, and air plants.
  • Worked in various executive roles at digital marketing and design agencies for 12 years, usually leading, recruiting, and training design teams.
  • Co-founded the environmental and industrial design firm, NONdesigns, producing exhibits and interiors, products, and brand identity graphics.
  • Created and performed in Ming & Ping, a decade-long performance art project and pop band that has released 7 albums, with dozens of songs licensed by international brands.
  • Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Design from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA.
  • Attended and dropped out of art school at the San Francisco Art Institute, majoring in New Genres, which focuses on experimental and time-based art.
  • Exhibited visual and installation art at galleries and museums in Southern CA, San Francisco, Houston, New York, and Miami.
  • Received the top award in Visual Arts at YoungArts, formerly known as National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).
  • Learned to be a passionate lifelong artist at The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX.
  • Became a human being in Dalat, Vietnam, then an immigrant in Southern CA, and then a beneficiary of the GATE program in Orange County, CA public schools.
  • Sperm icon by Edwin PM from the Noun Project

Get in Touch

Let me know what you're working on! I'm happy to share work samples upon request. You can also find me on social media:
Btw, you'll be asked to verify that you're human in the next step. :)