Recent graduates Vivian Hou and Harry Cen from the Class of 2024 have combined their talents to establish Vitamins Studio. We are thrilled to support our alumni as they embark on their professional journey, and we recently connected with them to learn more about their progress and future plans.

Where are you located, and what are you working on right now?

Right after we graduated from MFA Design, we launched Vitamins Studio, a design collective in NYC crafting visuals that energize and enrich. We specialize in brand identity, editorial design, and illustration, providing tailored design solutions for our clients.

What impact has SVA MFA Design had on your career and launching Vitamins?

Our creative partnership ignited at SVA MFA Design, where we were both in the class of 2024. We had many group projects together, and that’s how we got familiar with each other’s design style, specializations, and personalities. Most importantly, we both loved collaborating, and both of us had an entrepreneurial ambition to start our own studio! So during the Summer of our first year, we began planning—choosing a name, designing a website, and laying the groundwork. After graduation, we officially launched Vitamins Studio, turning our shared dream into reality.

We sincerely want to express our gratitude to the MFA Design program for giving us the opportunity to spark our entrepreneurial ambitions and bring us together. We are deeply appreciative of Steve Heller and Lita Talarico for their support of every decision we made. We are especially thankful to Frank Martinez, whose insightful class on legal matters helped us navigate the process of registering our LLC, and to Justin Colt, who generously shared his invaluable experience in launching his own studio. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Randy Hunt, Willy Wong, and all of the instructors who supported our thesis projects, many of which now feature prominently in our website portfolio.

Has your thesis influenced your work/design studio in any way?

Absolutely. As designers transitioning into entrepreneurship, the thesis project offered us invaluable opportunities to explore new industries and apply strategic thinking. Harry developed Cabbage, a contemporary jade jewelry brand, and Vivian created Tailwinds, a travel concierge service for pets. Beyond design, the core of our theses focused more on market demand and entrepreneurial potential. The MFA Design program truly helped us refine our entrepreneurial foundation, on top of learning about design branding.

This experience has given us a deeper understanding of what design a client will need from an entrepreneurial perspective. It’s not just about making the design visually appealing; it’s about aligning it with the target audience and ensuring effective communication. This background allows us to communicate better with our clients because we don’t just provide design solutions—we also bring the perspective of entrepreneurs, enhancing the design with a strategic business approach.

Follow us on instagram @vitamins.studio. Please check out our website vitaminsstudio.work and feel free to get in touch for inquiries and collaboration opportunities at  vitamins.studio.design@gmail.com