»The goal is to create something that resonates with people and evokes a response«

Whether at an art museum, in pottery class, or in Netcompany’s office in Ho Chi Minh City, IT Consultant Nguyễn Giang Ngọc Trâm always lets her creative vision shine through. In this article, she shares her journey into the industry and talks about the unexpected connection she found between art and IT.

Going against the grain

During Trâm’s time at university, there was one question that she kept receiving over and over.

Why did she decide to pursue a career in IT?

»In Vietnam, it’s not very common for girls to choose to study IT and I would often be the only girl in the classroom. So, people were curious as to what sparked my interest in IT.«

Breaking societal norms is no easy task, but Trâm’s passion for IT developed naturally when her family opened an internet café. As she waited for her father to finish work, she would spend her summer breaks playing video games, which led to her dreaming of becoming a developer.

With a growing enthusiasm for video games, it didn’t come as a surprise that Trâm decided to pursue a career in IT. However, prior to her interest in video games, Trâm had another passion which, at first glance, doesn’t sound synonymous with IT.

Art.

 

 

A passion for art, drawing, and DIY projects

Trâm’s interest in art has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.

»Ever since primary school, if I really liked a movie or a specific character, I would try to draw the character and come up with a different ending to their story.«

From drawing her favourite movie characters as a child, to now working at Netcompany’s office in Ho Chi Minh City, Tram’s interest and passion for arts and crafts has only increased.

»Outside work, I’m passionate about drawing. My hobbies also include creating things with my hands, DIY projects including pottery, making jewellery, houseware, and things like that.«

 

 

»The intersection of technology and creativity has shown me that art is not confined to traditional mediums. It can also be found in the digital space where form meets function.«

Nguyễn Giang Ngọc Trâm

The intersection of art and IT

Trâm never expected to be able to incorporate her artistic talents into her professional career.

But she has succeeded in doing so.

»By viewing the solution and its different functions as a canvas, I can blend functionality with aesthetics based on the requirement, ensuring that the final interface is more engaging and user-friendly.«

There are several similarities between art and IT. Whether Trâm is creating one or the other, she explains how she has to consider many of the same elements. While an artist considers composition, colour, and balance, a developer must think about components, page structure, user flow, and visual hierarchy to ensure the most important elements are highlighted.

»Both processes require a deep understanding of the audience and a focus on delivering a compelling experience. Whether it’s through a painting or a website, the goal is to create something that resonates with people and evokes a response.«

»My creative mindset helps me when developing IT solutions.«

Trâm elaborates on the importance of understanding your audience by explaining how the WCAG guidelines, which covers a wide range of recommendations for making web content more accessible, are an example of how art helps to understand the pain point of disabilities. She explains the importance of using high-contrast fonts and background colours, as well as the role of symbols in validation fields..  

»Many people live with vision imparities, and many of my friends are dependent on glasses. It means a lot to me that I can build technology that helps them.« 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The artistry in well-crafted code

Trâm’s passion for art not only influences how she approaches her work, but her work has also shaped her perception of art. 

She explains how she now has come to appreciate the artistry in well-crafted code, the elegance of efficient algorithms, and the beauty in seamless user experiences.  

Trâm goes on to explain how her journey into the industry has also shaped her interest in art in other ways.  

»I’ve become more interested in digital art forms and interactive media, where I can blend my coding skills with my artistic sensibilities. This fusion allows me to explore new ways of expression and storytelling.«

In the future, Trâm envisions herself in a leadership role where she mentors and inspires her younger colleagues to pursue their dreams while she continues to combine her passions for IT and art.

 

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