Duc Huy, also known as Jayden, is a Vietnamese illustrator and storyteller based in Illinois, US.

It is never too late for Huy to do what he loves - Drawing! After exploring various fields, including Accounting, Floral design, and Game art design, he uncovered his true calling in book illustrating. Leaving behind his small country - Vietnam, Huy traveled thousands of miles to study, live and work in Canada. Graduating from Game Art program at George Brown College in Toronto, equipped him with skills in character design, concept art, and 3D modeling for video games and animation. In 2019, Huy started his freelance career as an illustrator, beginning with traditional watercolor custom portraits and progressing to illustrating children’s books.

You will find Huy at a public library every Wednesday, reading children's books. This hobby is the foundation of his dream to become a children's book illustrator. Not only does it fuel his passion for drawing, but it also helps him learn a lot from other book creators.

Mission:

I believe that every child should be able to find a book that speaks to them, and I want to be the one creating those books for them. Diversity is a fundamental aspect of all my works and I hope all stories I tell, even the simplest ones, convey meaningful messages about lives in different cultures. I want to bring all skills and experiences I've had, from living in different countries to doing different jobs, to create the best possible books, filled with the most vibrant life. I have a special care for children facing adversity in life and children in the LGBTQIA+ community who may be navigating confusion about their identities. I aim to offer them empathy and guide them toward hope and belief in a brighter future.

Recognitions:

  • Featured Illustrator on SCBWI

  • Winner of the scholarship for the 2024 Virtual Winter Conference organized by SCBWI.

  • Runner-up for the scholarship for the 2024 In-Person Winter Conference organized by SCBWI.

  • Winner of the SCBWI DrawThis challenge for the December 2023 prompt 'Abstract'.

  • Winner of the 2020-2021 Post-Secondary Scholarship for International Students by George Brown College.

  • Winner of the 2020-2021 Melissa Quan Memorial Award by George Brown College.