Pisey Keo: Owner, Graphic Designer, and Illustrator of Keo Pisey Studio

Keo Pisey Studio
Website | Email | Instagram

Location: Seattle, WA 
Services: Logo, Branding, Graphic Design, Illustration, Business Strategies

I connected with Pisey through this 2 Khmerican Sisters project! She submitted a Features blog post which is how I learned that she has her own local design business! In our phone interview together, I was excited to hear about how Pisey wants to uplift small businesses, especially Khmer/Khmerican ones, so that they can become successful. -Jas

What is your name and role at Keo Pisey Studio?
My name is Pisey Keo. I am the owner, graphic designer, and illustrator of my studio which is a freelance graphic design business that I started last summer. I mostly work with online personalities, YouTubers and bloggers. One of my goals is to be the go-to graphic designer for all Cambodian businesses and creators. 

Some of my work includes illustrating drawings and working with clients in other creatives like photographers and an up-and-coming fashion brand in Cambodia.

What made you become interested in having a graphic design business? 
I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Minor in Art, and I've always liked art and design. It's something that I've always done on the side. Last summer, I signed up for this graphic design business course and it really inspired me. Since I invested my money in this expensive course, I wanted to put more effort in what I could do with it.

​I started freelancing for friends and families, and I enjoyed the process! I like the ability to pick up a project that I find interesting and that aligns with my goal of bringing awareness to Cambodian businesses, creators, and culture.

What is your favorite part of owning your business so far? What are the challenges? 
My favorite part is definitely finding out about other business owners. That's how I found... [the 2 Khmerican Sisters] website and many other small businesses. It's exciting to support someone from the beginning of their journey and I want to help more businesses grow.

When you are your own boss, you can do as much or as little as you want. If you don't have the drive and motivation, you will not go anywhere. You have to put yourself out there if you want your business to thrive. People are more reluctant to invest in their business now [during this pandemic] because they don't know if it will last. Money is tight for small business owners and consumers. 

Tell us about your products and services!
My focus is on local design, brand design, and visual identity. I can help brand your business and strategy from start to finish. Together, we can choose your color scheme and inspirations to make sure that everything with your business is aligned.

My work encompasses a lot of things: From your business card to stationary to coasters, you can place my designs on anything, as long you tell me how you want the designs to look and where the designs should be on. I will create the files and designs for your mediums!

What else would you like for people to know about you and/or your business?
The one thing that I want people to know, especially Cambodian businesses and creators, is that even if they are starting out and may not have the resources to pay a graphic designer or strategist like myself, please reach out to me anyway.

I want to help Cambodian people boost their businesses. I want to collaborate with you and later on, when your business grows, I can charge you then. My main goal is not to make money but to help my community. 

Thank you, Pisey, for sharing your work with our 2 Khmerican Sisters community. If you have a small business and would like to work with Pisey, please reach out to her for more info, whether or not you are Khmer/Khmerican!