OH, HELLO MY NAME IS ____AMBER_LAI.

(I don’t really prefer being called Amber on messages though)

I wear a lot of dark colours, but deep down inside, I'm wearing really cute socks—and that pretty much sums up my creative philosophy. The smallest details make the biggest impact, whether I'm building a brand system, art-directing a national campaign, or designing a custom illustration.

I specialize in branding, illustration, and print and digital design, with experience spanning small businesses, commercial work, associations, and B2B marketing. As much as I love working with small businesses looking to take the next step to create disctinctive brands, I've alsled multi-year, multi-phase campaigns for clients like the U.S. Mint and U.S. Department of State—balancing big creative ideas with the documentation and systems thinking needed to scale them across complex organizations. I've also stepped into the art director role on projects, guiding creative vision from concept to execution while keeping brand standards tight and teams aligned.

What really drives me is making connections—between people, culture, and ideas. I'm endlessly curious, I adapt to whatever a project needs, and I care deeply about the work, the team, and the end-user. I believe the best ideas are born from collaboration, proof, and a little bit of fun along the way.

Clients include: 3Natives, United States Mint, U.S. Department of State, NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association), TASBO (Texas Association of School Business Officials), SMC (Southern Management Companies), OCS (Office of Community Services), MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors), and NAPEO (National Association of Professional Employer Organizations).

Fun Facts

Born + Raised
Northern Virginia.

But Where Am I From From
My family’s from Hong Kong. I’m Cantonese.

Where I’m Usually Found If I’m not home, probably somewhere with food, behind the counter of a random market vendor, or in another country.

Side Quests
- Manager for a Cinnabon and Great American Cookies
- Cookie Cake Decorator
- Press-on Nail Artist - A.G.L Studios
- Baker - I sell Dubai Chocolate and Other Baked Goods
- Craft Workshop Host - Ambie’s Creative Corner
- NPC Merchant - I vendor for multiple vendors across the DMV
- Award-Winning Actress? - Instructions Not Included
- Head of Props, Makeup, and Set Design (Production Design) - DIRT

Quirks (5 Truths and A Lie. Let’s Play.)
- I dislike being addressed by my name in messages.
- I have over 50 first cousins.
- I have three tattoos.
- I have been to over 20 countries.
- I can’t stand being on the right side.
- I can write backwards.

Random Things I’ve Won
- Best Actress - 48 Hour Film Project 2026
- Pickleball Tournament Doubles Finalist - Paddles For Peaces
- 1st Place Boba Tasting Contest - Annandale Night Market
- 2 Honorable Mentions + 1 Silver - Graphis New Talent Annual 2021
- Your Attention ;)

Slide into my DM’s :)

202.746.0771
amber.g.lai55@gmail.com
@a.g.l_studio

EXPERIMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY & BOOK COVER