Principal

P.M.B.Q. Studios is an art studio founded and run by Phuong-Mai Bui-Quang. She’s going to save talking in the third person for Facebook updates, so let’s switch to first person now…

I’m a communication designer with a lifelong practice of illustration and cartooning. It goes without saying that my favorite projects are the ones where I get to mix the two.  Even if I’m not supposed to illustrate, somehow I manage to find a way to make it happen. In general, I look forward to any communication design project looking to challenge the world.

During my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my awesome husband Marcial, hug my dog Phoebe, run, train for triathlons, eat, paint, and design t-shirts for my own brand (available at Pandaline), and draw comics (currently Unemployed Pandas, although lately I’ve been thinking about starting up Tea Club again).

I work at Norton/Symantec full-time, which I LOVE.  Needless to say, I am not available for any outside work.  However, if you have any inquiries about my past works feel free to drop me a line at letstalk at pmbq dot com (replace words with appropriate symbols).

The Creative Approach

I strive to create a balance between design and communication. No element is placed superficially or thoughtlessly; each has its place and intent.

My illustration background forces me to engage in the regular practice of creating a concrete work out of virtually nothing. I take this same approach to every project. There is no task that can’t be done, and the sky’s the limit.  Designers who do not illustrate often lack  the “out-of-the-box” mentality.

Why Pandas?

When you think about it, pandas are not remarkable animals. They insist on eating bamboo, which has almost no nutritional value. They have very short mating seasons and are extremely picky when it comes to mates. The motherly instinct in pandas is really not very strong. It’s no wonder that they are an endangered species, because left to their own instincts they would have been long gone by now.

However, there is something magical about them. I love pretty much any kind of animal, but when I first saw pandas at the Smithsonian zoo, something in me clicked.  I HAD TO SAVE THE PANDAS. That day, I proceeded to purchase as much panda merchandise as I could afford in order to contribute to this amazing animal. Since then, this spirit of “panda excitement” seems to carry over into my personal illustration work.

It is simply a joy to draw pandas, and I believe that is the joy that people might feel when they see my panda illustrations and wear my panda t-shirts.