Reuben Houfe

Head of Design

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I’m a dedicated and thoughtful creative team leader with a decade of experience in heading design operations management in Southeast Asia.

I have an extensive experience in branding, motion graphics, UI design, advertising and digital marketing. I lead a dynamic team of multi-disciplined designers and freelancers in SEA.

In my decade long career, I have worked on integrated projects for global brands including Coca-Cola, Samsung, Telenor (dtac), Manulife, MILO, Shell, Pernod Ricard, and CANAL+. I have also collected a number of design awards including a D&AD pencil.

In my day-to-day work, I collaborate with project managers, creative director, content strategist, developers and other designers to develop, design and execute deliverables that meet brand and business goals.

My passion for creative problem-solving drives me to challenge myself to take opportunities that help elevate my skills.

Work Experience

MultiVerse Advertising

Head of Design

• At MVA, I lead and deliver creative solutions for a wider scope of work
• Spearhead the design strategy and direction for branding and digital marketing of key brands such as Telenor (dtac), Manulife, CANAL+ & Pernod Ricard (Seagrams)
• Key player in designing multiple responsive websites, iPad apps, as well as, motion graphics, branding, social media and out of home ads
• Lead a team of dynamic designers across SEA and responsible for resource prioritisations
July 2019 - July 2021 Myanmar

Ogilvy

Head of Design

• I oversaw and worked on a variety of design projects ranging from digital to print.
• Brand design champion for global brands including Coca-Cola, Samsung, Nestlé MILO, Shell to name a few
• Redesigned the Ogilvy Myanmar website
• Managed and mentored a team of 10 designers and interns to ensure the quality of designs based on the given objectives and strategy
• Spearheaded design strategy and direction, and co-collaboration for advertising, digital marketing, branding, and business communication materials
January 2017 - July 2019 Yangon, Myanmar

The Color Club

Art Director

Working in such a dynamic and professional environment has always elevated my creativity, passion and commitment to the world of design, and being the Art Director at The Color Club International has provided just that. Being involved in and directing projects ranging from 3D animation, to print, to packaging design has provided a challenging and creative opportunity which has only made me more eager and creative. As Art Director it is my roll to ensure professionalism, accuracy, and consistency throughout all projects and retain the high quality attention to detail The Color Club has built its credibility on.
March 2015 - November 2016 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ringier Studios

Motion Graphics Chief

Being a key figure within the studio required me to be very organised, able to work on and oversee multiple projects and people, partake and contribute to creative meetings and have regular Skype meetings with the project managers in Switzerland. As Motion Graphics Chief at Ringier Studios my main goal was to design, animate and direct my team in creating a wide range of high quality and professional 2D Motion Graphics videos. As an eager designer and hard worker I also nominated myself for work outside of my department including interface / layout designs, logo design & branding. I constantly liaised with colleagues from all the creative departments (Editors, 3D, Sound Designers, Graphic Designers, Art Directors, Project Managers & my team of Motion Graphic Designers & Video Artists) to give a solid and strong direction to obtain the high quality of work our clients expected.
May 2011 - June 2014 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Next Plc

Online Marketing Designer

I worked at Next PLC for an 1 year internship during my studies at University. My main duties at Next were liaising closely with the content team and my peers within the graphic design team to design and build a range of marketing emails.Weekly emails were sent out to a customer base of around 1.7 million and to 21 countries across Europe. My responsibilities were to maintain the strong brand image held by Next, create a wide range of exciting and creative designs keeping within the brand guidelines which appealed to the Next customer.
November 2008 - October 2009 United Kingdom

Sheffield Students Union

Freelance / Part time Designer

Working for the marketing department at Sheffield University has given me invaluable experience in the real world which has developed not just my design techniques and range of ideas but also given me an understanding of the importance of time management and working to tight deadlines.
Liaising with the different departments in the University and discussing marketing ideas, techniques and brand image within my departments has taught me how such companies work and furthered my skills and ideas.
This job has included designing logos for campaigns, booklet covers, posters, menus, web banners and other similar 2D graphical media. My biggest project was redesigning around 30 webpages for the various outlets within the University including BarOne, Coffee Revolution & The New Leaf.
November 2005 - September 2010 Sheffield, United Kingdom

Education

High Storrs Secondary School

GCSE's

12 GCSE (A* - C)
2009 - 2004 Sheffield, United Kingdom

Norton College

BTEC National Diploma, Multimedia Design

3 Distinctions (Equivalent to 3 A's at A-level)
2004 - 2006 Sheffield, United Kingdom

University Of Huddersfield

B.A Multimedia Design

1st Class Honours
2006 - 2010 Huddersfield, United Kingdom

Awards

British Design & Art Direction (D&AD)

Student Yellow Pencil

Northern Design Competition

Best Animation

Thompson Real World Award

Thompson Real World Award

Brahm

Sh! Award

Neu / Now International Arts Festival

ELIA

ANNO Books Student Design Competition

ANNO Books