Meet Janis Nguyen | Artist / Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janis Nguyen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janis, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
That it’s okay to fail. I think most of us have that mindset that failure is a huge setback but I try to remember that failure is just a big life lesson to get up and try again. The most important lesson my career has taught me is that if you really want to do something you have to look past all the fears and just go for it. Failure was a really big fear for me before I pursued art and design; I was incredibly scared of putting myself out there and getting rejected following my dreams. But I soon learned that you can’t succeed without failing. When things fail you can take a step back to see what you can do different in order to succeed. I think that life is going to be full of failures; it’s really just up to you whether or not you will let that stop you from doing what makes you happy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am graphic designer who specializes in typography, calligraphy, and illustration. My small business sells prints, stickers, and t-shirts. I also dabble in creating logos, menus, and business cards for small local businesses. My art started off as just a little hobby that quickly turned into a passion for me. I realized once I started drawing, it was very easy for me to get lost in creating and I loved that. When I started Luna Koi Designs, I know I wanted to create art that helps people the same way art has helped me in life. I love how there is just no limit to art and it allows you to free think with no barriers, I love how art doesn’t have to be perfect and allows you to express yourself without having to say anything at all.

I think I am most proud of how far I’ve gotten in the art world and that people enjoy my art for what it is. I am proud of the small little impacts my art has made in people’s lives and their businesses. I am most excited to see release more t-shirts and seeing people I don’t even know wearing my designs.

It was definitely not easy, I faced a lot of problems I think with myself and had to overcome a lot of insecurities to get to where I am today. I remember working a full time over night job and missing holidays with my family just to afford to do what I really want to do. It was definitely a long road getting here but it taught me that if I worked hard enough for something and made enough sacrifices that my dreams were reachable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them to Deep Ellum or Bishop Arts – I love all the small businesses in that area that consists of incredibly local artists and their work. There are also many delicious places to eat and a variety of choices of food. Dallas is filled with aspiring artists and chefs I feel like there is always somewhere new to try. Those two areas would definitely take a day or two to explore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First off, I would like to give a shoutout to all my supporters – the people who’ve pushed me to keep going and everyone’s who purchased any of my art. I would like to give a shoutout to my incredibly supportive boyfriend who has invested so much of his time and money into my business in order for it to succeed. A shoutout to my family and friends who have always been there to lend a helping hand and just inspiring me to keep going. Without everyone’s support and love I would not be the artist I am today.

Website: Lunakoidesigns.bigcartel.com

Instagram: LunaKoiDesigns