Meet GENERAL QU | Production/Interior Designer/Stylist

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

Hi GENERAL, how does your business help the community?
While I was attending interior design school, I grew tired of all of the upscale showrooms and culture we were being exposed to. I decided then that I wanted good design/styling to be accessible to everyone who wants it.

I’ve worked with different clients and budgets throughout the years of my business career; clients ranging from Nike to Sorel, to design consulting for therapists offices to airbnbs, to furnishing/styling my parents house and friend’s spaces.

Working in the commercial production industry, has helped allow me to offer my time/services to small/local businesses and artists. I deeply care for my community and local economy, I believe we all keep each others’ businesses going and growing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m going on my third full year of working for myself and offer a full creative range of services from photography to interior/production design/styling, and content creating for brands. My work is bold and colorful, and I get hired for my aesthetic that I’ve developed throughout the years.

I really try to put myself out there so people will know I exist, all of my work projects comes from referrals from past clients and word of mouth, alongside my online portfolio and social media platforms.

It definitely hasn’t been easy getting to where I am today. I’m grateful to have a business savvy mind, which has made it possible for me to live off of my art. I’m a full-blown capricorn, and I can’t stop until I reach my goals. It’s important for me to continuously develop new work for myself that makes me feel something, alongside working in the commercial field.
Each project, I try to make as my best body of work yet.

The one advice I have for other artists trying to become fully freelance is –
The transition from your day job to being a full-time freelance creative should feel natural. Don’t quit your day job unless you have a good amount of savings to live off of for the next while and some work projects lined up. The struggle is real.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Portland, OR I would take them on a hike in the Columbia Gorge, right outside of the city, for some waterfall hikes and old-growth tree walks. The nature in and around Portland is magical. We are blessed to have good resources like clean air and healthy water sources. It’s a city that resides in a lush rainforest.

As for food, there are way too many good food options!
My favorites are HaVL (Vietnamese soup), Nong’s Khao Man Gai, Big’s Chicken, Hat Yai, Du’s Grill, and Smash Burger (any of the locations).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My community of women that surrounds me –

Sarah Buckley, who has been one of my best friends for the last 11 years. She is a true inspiration to me and very talented artist/philosopher.

Crystal Cortez, who is another one of my best friends. She is a talented musician and teacher, who helps enrich and encourages her pupils’ minds to explore the deep dives of their minds,

Website: https://www.generalqu.com/

Instagram: general_qu

Image Credits
First photo of Florals Photo by Nadav Benjamin Styling by General QU Color Gradient Photos Photos by Zach Lewis Models Salomee Souag, Santi Darling