Nice to Meet You,
Yay! You made it this far, so here is the long-awaited introduction—my story, my life, unfiltered, and what makes me Denise Son. Well, for starters, I am a visual designer who loves to doodle and doodles (dogs) as well. Dog people are my people. It’s as simple as that.
I take pride in working with creative individuals who love life, appreciate exceptional visual design, and are genuinely good human beings. I am creative and empathetic, and I strive to create purposeful designs with intention. With a background in Marketing, I have developed a collection of visuals that have transformed the lives of my clients worldwide.
Oh, and if I am not typing away behind a computer screen, you’ve probably encountered someone quite similar to me in your day-to-day life. I am the person who greets you with a good morning on a 7 am hike across the valley. The person who sits with her dog every day at the dog park to enjoy the sunset. Notably, the person who sends memes or shares a fun story to give her coworkers a boost. So if you’re looking for a witty, yet hardworking designer with a sprinkle of spice and a kick of adrenaline. Yup, that’s me and I come with my 76lb doodle named Chips. :))
The Beginning
I felt in my soul that I was made for the mountains. The irony of loving technology is that I sometimes felt like I was living a double life. I grew up in the agricultural parts of Arizona, tickled away from the city, but I couldn’t help it; I loved design. It all started with just doodles in my school notebook, but I wasn’t satisfied with keeping it tucked away. I wanted to see it in person; I tried to breathe life into my design to share it with the rest of the world.
I grew up hiking, fishing, running, and learned pretty much every survival skill. I daydreamed about a life in the big city my entire childhood. I loved design, and it was the one thing that was truly mine, just me and my sketches tucked away in my backpack. I asked myself, why couldn’t I be a part of that world as well? Was it so wrong for me to dream bigger than what I can afford? My family was a Vietnamese immigrant family that owned a local nail and spa for 20 years. I felt different and stuck out like a sore thumb. I wanted more in life, I craved more in life, I felt alive with design. I loved art, and it loved me back; this love for it took me to places, and garnered a community of “good” people in my lifetime.
The Next Step
My journey began at Arizona State University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Information Technology from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. My concentration in Digital Design, along with a secondary concentration in Business, provided me with a strong foundation in both technical and strategic aspects of design.
Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to crafting designs that not only captivate visually but also uplift communities through compelling narratives. By prioritizing intentionality and inclusivity, I aim to connect global audiences with meaningful visual assets. My diverse skill set spans digital marketing, UX design, and visual design, enabling me to spearhead comprehensive marketing campaigns alongside cross-functional teams.
In my most recent role as a lead designer, I drove client growth by crafting digital presentations for key stakeholders, merging data insights with new webpage designs to launch AI products and services. My commitment to brand ownership included routine maintenance of Umbraco and Frontify webpages, enhancing communication within the broader marketing team by streamlining digital resource accessibility.
I thrive on challenging the norms of "good design" and rethinking our approach to market research. Every design I create is imbued with intention and purpose, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital design realm.
Life’s better with Chips
If you had asked six-year-old me what she wanted most in the world, she would have said a Golden Doodle named Chips.
Fast forward to adulthood, and with my very adult money, I brought home the most loving doodle in existence and named him Chips.
It happened unexpectedly one day. I wasn't planning on getting a dog in my 20s; everyone kept telling me that my 20s were for traveling and finding myself. But then one day, I went on Puppy Finder just to "browse" for my dream dog. I couldn't help it—I fell in love with the sweet smile of my soon-to-be goofy boy. I had to see him for myself, so I drove two hours to meet him. The moment I laid eyes on Chips, I fell in love with this sweet, curly-haired puppy. It was the love I knew I needed in my 20s.
Chips became my passenger prince, my silly boy, and my adventure buddy. Before I knew it, my world and my adventures revolved around this smiley boy. The craziest thing is that he will never know how much I love him and how he changed my life. My weekends and days are spent cuddling, cooking, and taking this goofy boy everywhere with me. He is my soul dog and the reason I see so much color in this world.
