Revitalizing Star Design: CEO Đặng Văn Nam’s Strategic Blend of Tradition and Innovation to Overcome Crisis

In the wake of the post-pandemic market volatility, few dare to experiment with bold strategies. However, Đặng Văn Nam, CEO of Star Design Creative Solutions LLC, sees challenges as opportunities to redefine how businesses serve customers and create unique value. His most proud strategy over the past 2–3 years is “Tradition and Innovation”: shifting from in-person meetings to online platforms, coupled with an “Outsourced Design Department” service that provides businesses with a 24/7 design team without the need for in-house hiring.

As a result, Star Design not only maintained its revenue but also delivered consistent value to clients during turbulent times. This shift not only expanded its customer network but also transformed the company’s philosophy from “Building Value – Establishing Trust” to “Elevating Vietnamese Businesses.”

Notably, to address the issue of businesses cutting design staff, Star Design pioneered the “Outsourced Design Department” service. This flexible solution allows companies to have a “ready-to-go design team 24/7” without maintaining a fixed in-house workforce.

This innovation reflects the CEO’s optimistic mindset: “If one company closes, another will open,” driving his focus on product and service quality as the sole success metric for the next three years.

According to CEO Đặng Văn Nam, sustainable growth goes beyond revenue and profit, encompassing economic development, employee welfare, and social responsibility. For him, a sustainable business avoids losses, ensures employees enjoy full benefits and personal growth, and supports stable families.

“Sustainable growth is a leader’s continuous effort to balance internal and external energy,” Nam emphasizes.

The graphic design industry, he notes, still has significant growth potential over the next 3–5 years.

“Design is everywhere: from logos, branding, portfolios, packaging, games, and animation to journalism. Every business needs quality design to elevate its brand,” CEO Đặng Văn Nam observes.

For Nam, the sole determinant of Star Design’s success is product quality, as it builds trust and differentiation in a competitive market.

Leading with Decisiveness and Inspiration

CEO Đặng Văn Nam describes his leadership style as authoritative yet decisive and inspiring. This stems from his love and responsibility for his “brainchild”: “My company is my child; I always strive to do what’s best for it.”

However, this decisiveness is balanced by learning from inspirational role models, improving structured work, professional time management, and delegating effectively.

Star Design’s biggest crisis was during COVID-19, when design and marketing demands nearly halted. CEO Đặng Văn Nam kept morale high by shifting the team to online work, planning long-term strategies, and finding opportunities in adversity.

“One company’s failure can be another’s opportunity. Every setback hides a silver lining,” Nam shares.

Identifying and nurturing talent is another pride of CEO Đặng Văn Nam. A current Design Manager, initially from a different field, was mentored and trained by him from the start. He also implements a two-tier model: new hires receive training, while experienced staff focus on KPIs and clear goals, fostering both motivation and internal growth.

As a graphics instructor, he applies this to team management: dividing staff into “learners” (weekly training) and “experts” (KPI-driven). Understanding team members’ goals helps him manage efficiently.

On technology, CEO Star Design is clear: AI is a tool, not a replacement for humans. In design, AI enhances ideas and saves time, but quality remains the core differentiator and market value.

Defining “sustainable growth,” CEO Đặng Văn Nam extends it beyond business (avoiding losses, stable revenue) to social and internal responsibility: employees enjoy full benefits, personal growth, and family stability.

When faced with ethically risky opportunities, he maintains balance: never trading happiness, family, or ethics for profit.

“You reap what you sow. Nothing comes free. Bad actions have consequences,” Nam asserts.

CEO Đặng Văn Nam envisions Star Design as a “Design Star,” a creative beacon guiding businesses to success and prosperity. Personally, he wants to be remembered as straightforward, passionate, creative, and dedicated—a designer-turned-leader shaping his own company.