The person who 'hunted' for logo design prizes from a hobby.
Having started creating logos in 2007, Vo Doan Tuan (Thanh Vinh ward, Nghe An province) has spent nearly two decades in the field of logo design and has won dozens of awards, both large and small. Even so, when talking about his journey, he humbly considers himself an "amateur," a self-taught graphic designer. One thing he can't hide is his enduring passion for lines and colors throughout the years.
Born in 1975, Vo Doan Tuan currently works at a garment company. His daytime job takes up almost all of his time, so his quiet moments for painting usually begin in the evening. That's when he researches, sketches, and refines every detail in his logo designs – a task that demands meticulousness and patience.
He shared that he had never received formal training in painting. Everything started with a little innate talent, which gradually became a hobby and a passion. In his youth, his parents enrolled him in drawing classes at the Vietnam-Germany Children's Cultural Center. Perhaps it was from those days that his love for shapes and colors quietly began to blossom.
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Mr. Tuan's house was located near the residences of artists like Nguyen Dinh Truyen and Nguyen Trong Hiep, so he often visited them to chat, learn, and further hone his knowledge and skills in painting. Although he loved to paint, he understood that his abilities were insufficient to go far in a professional painting career. Therefore, it wasn't until 2007, when a friend suggested he explore logo design, that he truly focused on this creative field.
Two years later, in 2009, he participated in his first logo design competition. The result exceeded expectations when he received notification that he had won first prize. This unexpected joy became a great impetus, motivating him to delve deeper into the field of logo design, persistently participating in many competitions and accumulating more experience.
According to Mr. Tuan, compared to many other areas of graphic design, logo design has very specific requirements. An effective logo must be simple, memorable, unique, and adaptable to various materials and sizes. More importantly, the logo needs to reflect the identity of the organization or locality, evoke typical imagery, and embody cultural and human depth.
After 19 years in this field, Vo Doan Tuan no longer remembers how many logo design competitions he has participated in, but that persistent journey has yielded "sweet fruits" with nearly 50 awards, including many first and second prizes.
From that experience, he formulated his own design principles: logos must be simple yet sophisticated, avoiding excessive detail; they need to create an impression and be recognizable at first glance; and they must be able to display well on various materials, from black and white prints on business cards to large-format signage.
Above all, a logo must convey the message and distinctive cultural values of the organization or locality it represents. A successful logo, in his opinion, must also be timeless, not chasing fleeting trends, so that it retains its value and meaning after many years.
Among his "collection" of awards, Mr. Tuan has many memorable achievements, such as winning first prize in the logo design competition for "Day for Victims of Agent Orange". Before the implementation of the two-tiered government system, he also won many awards in logo design competitions at the provincial, city, and town levels, including: Dong Ha city (Quang Tri province), Don Duong district (Lam Dong province), Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa province), Con Cuong district, and Hoang Mai town (Nghe An province)...
Behind every award-winning logo lies a story of perseverance and dedication. It's the result of long days of research and development, sleepless nights, and countless instances of discarding and recreating. Each logo holds its own unique meaning and symbolism.
For example, the logo of Hoang Mai town, which won first prize in 2024, was designed by him using stylized hieroglyphic art from the two letters H and M in the name Hoang Mai. The H structure forms a unified whole, representing the spirit of unity and solidarity of the locality in its development journey. The letter M is shaped like a lotus flower in bloom, suggesting a bright future. At the same time, this letter is also stylized from the rolling mountain ranges combined with the image of waves below, depicting Hoang Mai with a picturesque landscape of mountains, rivers, forests, and sea, while creating a harmonious feng shui composition for the overall logo.
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Not content with just logo design, Vo Doan Tuan has recently made another mark in his creative journey. He won third prize in the national poster design competition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. His work was displayed at an exhibition in Ho Chi Minh Square, attracting considerable public attention.
Speaking about his future plans, Tuan said he will continue to learn and improve his knowledge and skills on his creative journey. For him, participating in competitions and winning new awards is not only a challenge but also a joy – a way to nurture his passion and make life more meaningful.
