MICKEY DAO, MBA

DESIGNER

CREATIVE THINKER

UX STRATEGIST

PROCESS IMPROVER

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WELCOME!

I’m Mickey Dao, a multidisciplinary creative and strategist passionate about turning ideas into meaningful experiences. Over the years, I’ve worked at the intersection of design, strategy, and process improvement, shaping brands, crafting user experiences, and building systems that work better.

Below, you’ll find a selection of projects that represent the different hats I wear — each rooted in creativity, purpose, and impact.

01. DESIGNER

Design that Connects and Inspires

From logos and brand systems to marketing materials, packaging, and digital interfaces, design has been at the heart of my journey. Each project below is built on the belief that good design isn’t just beautiful, it communicates, engages, and empowers.

Projects:

  • Logo and Brand Identity Systems
  • Marketing and Sales Materials
  • Packaging Designs
  • Infographics and Presentations
Various Flyer/Banner Designs (NSU Florida, 2025)
Commencement Guidebook (NSU Florida, 2025)
Menu Design (Xuan Huong Coffee and Restaurant, 2018)
Presentation Design (Orion, 2020)
Packaging (Ducklah, 2019)
Brand Identity System (Facephobia, 2019)
Logo works before 2020

02. CREATIVE THINKER

Strategic Ideas that Move People

As an Art Director, I had the opportunity to develop integrated marketing campaigns that brought brands to life across multiple touchpoints. These campaigns combine storytelling, creativity, and strategic planning to build lasting impressions and sustainable impacts.

Projects:

  • Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Campaigns
  • Cross-Platform Advertising Concepts
  • Storytelling and Brand Activation Campaigns
Cosy Call Center Social Campaign (Kinh Do, 2016) – My Role: Co-Art Director, UX/UI Designer
Lactacy All-Day-Fresh Product Launching Campaign (Sanofi Vietnam, 2017) – My Role: Art Director
Bobby Wavy Digital Engagement Campaign (Unicharm Vietnam, 2016) – My Role: Art Director, UX/UI Designer
Chuan Mom Chia Se Fanpage Guidelines (Vinamilk, 2016) – My Role: Art Director
PNJ Silver New Collections Digital Launching Campaigns (PNJ Silver, 2016-2017) – My Role: Art Director
“Tim Em Noi Dau”, Vietnam First Viral Campaign, AME 2009 Silver Award (Close Up, 2009) – My Role: Digital Art Director, UX/UI Designer

03. UX STRATEGIST

Designing Seamless User Experiences

Creating user-centered digital experiences requires empathy, strategy, and precision. In these projects, I led UX planning, designed intuitive interfaces, and helped turn ideas into real, user-friendly, and valuable web and app products.

Projects:

  • UX Research and Planning
  • Web and App UX/UI Wireframes and Prototypes
  • Website and Mobile App Interfaces
Pebsteel Website (Pebsteel, 2020) – My Role: UX Strategist, UX Designer
Cocoxim Website (Betrimex, 2020) – My Role: UX Strategist, UX Designer
Honda Odysey Product Microsite (Honda Vietnam, 2016) – My Role: Art Director, UI Designer
[Concept] NutiZen Website (Nutifood, 2021) – My Role: UX Strategist
Mobile Banking Application (Viet Capital Bank, 2020) – My Role: UX Strategist, Art Director
Corporate Website and Brand Sites (Vinamilk, 2013-2021) – My Role: UX Strategist, Art Director, UX and UI Designer

04. PROCESS IMPROVER

Making Systems Work Smarter

Creativity isn’t just for visual design, it also powers better ways of working.

Through my MBA practicum project in process improvement, I optimized a marketing material creation workflow and reduced inefficiencies, showing how thoughtful change drives real results.

  • Project Name: Marketing Material Creation Cycle Time Reduction
  • Firm: Student Marketing Team at University X
  • Team Members:
    • Kim Anh “Mickey” Dao – PI Specialist
    • Karol Mejia – PI Specialist
    • Stina Rehn Andersson – PI Specialist

In this project, I applied Lean Six Sigma DMAIC methodologies to reduce the cycle time of marketing material creation at University X’s Student Marketing department. With an increase in project volume and turnover challenges, the goal was to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance team collaboration — all while maintaining quality standards.

1. DEFINE

Problem Statement:

NSU Student Marketing faced a 20% increase in material requests and a 65% turnover rate among student designers, causing significant delays. Our goal was to reduce the Proof 1 creation cycle time by 10% to improve project delivery without adding unsustainable workloads.

Actions:

  • Defined project scope and objectives.
  • Record videod to catch the process hidden steps.
  • Collect data.
  • Established a signed project charter.

2. MEASURE

Current State Analysis:

  • Baseline data collected from 16 projects (May–August 2024).
  • Average Proof 1 creation time: 174.75 minutes.
  • Developed a baseline Value Stream Map (VSM) to visualize process steps and lead times.
  • Verified data normality and process stability through control charts.

3. ANALYZE

Root Causes Identification:

  • Used correlation and regression analysis to identify bottlenecks in Steps 4 (Brainstorm), 5 (Collect), and 6 (Design).
  • Applied Fishbone Diagram and 5 Whys to discover root causes, including material disorganization and inconsistent brainstorming quality.
  • Confirmed the need for better resources, training, and structured creative processes.

4. IMPROVE

Solutions Implemented:

  • Built a mini material library to improve design resource access.
  • Created SOPs and manuals for brainstorming and material collection.
  • Launched peer-led workshops and integrated AI brainstorming tools.
  • Pilot data showed a 10% cycle time reduction, achieving project goals.

Results:

  • New average Proof 1 creation time: 126.36 minutes.
  • Median design step time dropped from 75 minutes to 59 minutes.
  • Significant increase in process capability and throughput yield.

5. CONTROL

Sustaining the Gains:

  • Established a Control Plan for each process step.
  • Created a Communications Plan with regular KPI reviews, feedback loops, and skillset training sessions.
  • Future improvements will continue using PDCA cycles.

This project demonstrated how applying structured problem-solving tools like DMAIC can create lasting, measurable improvements in creative workflows — enhancing both operational efficiency and team satisfaction.

Let’s Create Together

I can bring both imagination and strategy to the table. If you know of an available position that matches my expertise. let’s connect.

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