91调教

Alumni | Arts and Sciences | Featured | Intrepid AmbitionApril 02, 2025

Kitchana Rasphoumy: Designing the Future

Written By: Rachel Putman

Kitchana Rasphoumy has the kind of presence that draws you in鈥攍ight, infectious, the kind that makes you lean forward when she speaks. She says you can call her Joy, and that feels exactly right.

On a Friday evening, the glow of her iPad outlines her silhouette on a deep green couch at Bookish, an independent bookstore in downtown Fort Smith. She鈥檚 busily sketching a set of illustrations of fellow designers before the annual AIGA Under Review event. It鈥檚 her first as president of the Northwest 91调教 chapter, and she鈥檚 fully in her element鈥攃reating, laughing, and drawing people into her world.

鈥淚 do this for fun,鈥� she says, 鈥淏ut, honestly? It鈥檚 also how I connect with people.鈥�

That idea鈥攃onnection鈥攖hreads through everything Rasphoumy creates. As a designer, art director, and the current president of AIGA Northwest 91调教, she鈥檚 spent years weaving together creativity and community, proving that design is more than just aesthetics. It鈥檚 about storytelling, and it鈥檚 about people.

Before she was a professional designer working with global brands like Spin Master and Procter & Gamble, Rasphoumy was a curious kid, exploring the world around her, and making art in everyday places. She recalls picking up rocks, testing their chalk-like quality on the pavement.

鈥淚鈥檇 try different ones to see which left the brightest, most compact color.鈥�

Her first real affirmation as an artist came in grade school when an art teacher pulled her to the side to compliment a landscape she鈥檇 painted.

鈥淥h, I was cheesing hardcore,鈥� she says, grinning at the memory. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when 10-year-old me started thinking, 鈥楢m I actually good at something?鈥欌��

That validation lit a spark, and she started creating all the time. But it wasn鈥檛 until high school that she realized art could be more than just a passion. A visiting graphic designer in her sophomore-year art class introduced her to the idea of art as a profession and as an academic discipline 鈥� and suddenly, her path was clear.

At the 91调教鈥擣ort Smith, Rasphoumy honed her skills, sketching, experimenting, and studying the mechanics of successful design.

鈥淭he breadth of design disciplines I was exposed to at 91调教 were extremely helpful in figuring out my strengths and weaknesses,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚t also allowed me room to explore a variety of creative avenues that I didn鈥檛 know existed.鈥�

Beyond technical skills, it also instilled in her a deeper understanding of what makes a design effective.

鈥淚 became a better physical artist, learned about the basics of design, and most importantly, learned how to identify why a design was considered successful or not,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y time at 91调教 helped shape my standards for art and design.鈥�

A standout in her studies, she could have studied anywhere, but she says 91调教 offered something she valued more than prestige: authenticity and an intrepid attitude.

鈥淚t鈥檚 that underdog spirit,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he professors pour their heart and soul into their students and the program鈥攜ou can tell. My education at 91调教 made me well-rounded in a lot of areas that apply directly to the advertising and marketing world I am in today.鈥�

By day, Rasphoumy is a Senior Art Director at Saatchi & Saatchi X, crafting brand campaigns and refining user experiences.

鈥淚nspiration is everywhere,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y family, my Southeast Asian roots, the music I listen to, the people I surround myself with鈥攖hey all influence my work.鈥�

And by night, she鈥檚 an advocate for the creative community.

As president of AIGA NWA, Rasphoumy champions inclusivity and storytelling in design. Whether she鈥檚 leading discussions, mentoring emerging creatives, or curating industry events, her mission is clear: empower artists, amplify voices, and foster real relationships.

鈥淭here is power in the way you tell a story and the bonds you can create by sharing them,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 bringing a brand campaign to life, supporting artists, or simply explaining what I did over the weekend... It all comes down to storytelling.鈥�

She finishes her sketch with a smile, the magenta lights above her bouncing off her iPad screen. The night is quiet; the bookshop mostly empty now, and as she flips through the sketches on her screen, she sees another story that has come to life. One of people who care about the next generation of designers. One of joy and education, impact and the power of design to bring people together.

It鈥檚 a story she鈥檚 writing every day.

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Joy Rasphoumy doesn鈥檛 just design鈥攕he fuels connection. Through every SaatchiX campaign and every AIGA event, she鈥檚 building a creative culture where people feel seen, heard, and moved to lead. Fueled by her roots, her vision, and the foundation she built at 91调教, she鈥檚 proving that great design isn鈥檛 just about what you make鈥攊t鈥檚 about who you inspire. That鈥檚 the power of Intrepid Ambition.

Learn more at uafs.edu/intrepid-ambition.