Meet Anh Bui

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anh Bui a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anh, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
Engaging in various hobbies or activities that provide a mental escape is essential for me. Salsa dancing, taking leisurely strolls, and discovering new neighborhoods are some of the ways I achieve this sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether it’s losing myself in the rhythm of salsa music, immersing in the tranquility of long walks, or experiencing the excitement of exploring unfamiliar places, each activity offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from daily stressors and find a refreshing perspective. Embracing this diversity of interests not only enriches my life but also allows me to cultivate a well-rounded sense of fulfillment and balance.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I came to the States from Vietnam at 15 years old, and I bounced around several states and schools trying to figure out where I wanted to be and what to do and holding several part-time jobs in the meanwhile. I graduated high school and went to Columbus College of Art Design in Ohio, but shortly after decided to drop out and test myself by jumping into the Nick Artists Program all the way over in California! With the money I saved up, I came to LA with a dream and the means to achieve it and managed to get picked as one of the new Nick Artists through the program. This lead to a bunch of opportunities within and outside of Nickelodeon, and I’ve met so many people along the journey who’ve helped me grow and given me even more opportunities to get me to where I am now.

I’m a Visual Development & Background Artist for Animation. I’ve been a part of several Nickelodeon shows as well as illustrating books. I have a vivid imagination that helps create worlds and tell stories through my art, and the smile I bring to people’s faces with what I put out helps fuel me further.

I’m willing to experiment and try things that are outside of art itself and then bring them all back to my art. This has created its own feedback loop where the more I do things outside, the better my art gets, which then provides me with more opportunities to do things and so on.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Critical thinking goes beyond hoarding information; it’s about applying knowledge, not letting it become clutter.

Discipline isn’t waiting for inspiration—it’s crafting a solid schedule with room for spontaneity. We’re human, not robots, after all.

Don’t take things personally; not everyone has to like you. Lighten up, you’re not the universe’s main attraction.

For new artists: Take it slow, trust the process, relish the journey’s nuances. Expect failures and critics—they spice up your artistic growth.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Letting me come to the States alone at a young age with little to no financial power and barely knowing a couple of words in English. It forced me to learn more than just art. Moving between states and schools, relying on different host families, taught me to be self-sufficient. This unique journey paid off—I picked up life skills early. Now, with a carefree mindset, I can focus on what I love, knowing I’ve handled the tough stuff along the way, leaving me worry-free and ready for anything.

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