Meet Rubi Do Trinh | Visual Development Artist & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rubi Do Trinh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rubi, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
The quote that I keep repeating to myself time and time again is from Elizabeth Gilbert because it helps me balance my perfectionist side with my lazy side. It goes something like this “what you do matters very much but at the same time it does not matter at all”. This allows me to pour all of my being into the design process. Yet when the feedback and group discussion comes, I need to emotionally step back, distance myself from the darling, and view it as a step on the road for the team to reach our common goal. In other words, to love the creation dearly and when the time comes, let go completely. For a very long time, it is the hardest thing to detach myself, my value and my chatting mind from the art that I made. However, the quote keeps me grounded and reminds me to not identify myself with my work. It gave birth to a new me and its duty to me ends then and there. And vice versa. Every project or experience has that effect on me if I let it. And that is very liberating!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What excites me the most about the current path I am on is the learning opportunity. My clients usually comment on how much thought and research I put into each stage of the design which I am particularly proud of. During the exploration phase of each project, I get paid to absorb all kind of interesting narrative about different cultures and philosophies. It accumulates and shows up in the final designs.

Growing up in a rural area of Vietnam, the thought of becoming an artist used to literally repulse me because I was sure that I would not make money. Even though drawing was like breathing to me, the starving artist myth was deeply programmed into me so I made sure my focus would be in math and science so I could become a doctor or an engineer. I allowed the survival mode to dominate my life until I realized one day that I was miserable as an architect working at my dream firm and not doing art. Every single cells in my body during that time whispered “we will kill you, today” even though my brain says we’d better stay safe and secured with this cushy job. It took more effort to sit myself down at that time to work in the office than to throw all out the window and seriously switching path. I did that with much precaution and doubt. However, I could have died and was still happy the day I quit architecture for good and started admitting to myself that I was an artist
Over the year, I gather that authenticity is not something we invent, but something inherence in us that needs acknowledgment and nurturing. It cannot be denied or it would wreak havocs in all aspects of life because that penned up energy has got to find ways to express itself. I can gladly look back now and be proud that I made that choice.
Running a business is not too hard, The difficult thing is to know what the business’s core value is and stay true to it even in hard time. I want to invite more joy, wonder, and liberation through anchoring wholesome and meaningful concepts into matters. Hopefully, people can receive those messages and nurture the sparks in them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would first definitely have to check out the Nelson Atkins museum of art. Then go get some sushi or whatever that is to their liking. One day we would visit the West Bottom antique stores and boutique mom and pop eateries. Another day could be spent hiking along the Missouri river trails. I will take my friend to yoga with me and introduce them to the coolest people in town. The best part is people watching at the Farmer Market and cloud watching on top of the WWI memorial terrace. At night we will visit the Up Down arcade bar, Pawn and Pint tabletop game bar or just chill on the porch.
My idea of fun is quite simple as long as I am with the right company or in nature.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The one who turned me away from my architecture practice into becoming a full time concept artist and designer is Feng Zhu. His FZD YouTube lessons were the fuel and the guiding light for my effort in navigating my transition between the two fields. Feng’s passion for drawing, and tremendous effort in training new talents, and equipping them with business skills inspired me to become who I am today. I wish to meet and thank him in person one day soon.

Website: https://www.rubidotrinh.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubidotrinh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubi-do-trinh-120bbb13b/