Both

In celebration of all things logos, I’m jumping into the @logoarchive @logoarchive.now trending challenge. This felt like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on my design journey so far. Nearly a decade ago, I made a personal pact to focus solely on brand identity and logo design—a decision made with a lot of uncertainty. At the time, I didn’t know if specializing like that was a viable career path in Cambodia, or if I’d be able to find brands that truly valued good design. This snapshot highlights a collection of the brand identities and logos I’ve built over the years. Some were developed for real-world clients, while others were born from personal passions and topics I care about; some were even done for music videos, but every single one was created for the sake of design. These marks represent my journey as a designer, spanning the early days of my career through to the work we’ve done since founding @anagata.design . @logoarchive.logotypes #logo #logoarchive #logoarchive_now #brandidentity

Throwback to the opening of @tianmimi_kh Restaurant. This project was a true collaboration, bringing together @bloom_architecture , @infusion.lighting , and ourselves, @anagata.design , to create a seamless brand experience—from architecture to lighting to brand identity. The identity features a trilingual logotype (Khmer, Chinese, and Latin), a dynamic color system that shifts from day to night, and a playful illustration system inspired by the shadow puppet traditions of the Sichuan province. #brandidentity #brandidentitydesign #logo #logotype #graphicdesign

Version 2 of my 10 Things Design Taught Me list. It’s important to remember that the words we use daily hold more nuance and meaning than we realize. We often confuse similar concepts because we assume rather than assess. Design is about clarity. To achieve that, we must understand what the words we choose truly mean—and, more importantly, what they don’t. ————— #design #designer #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #brandidentitydesign

New episode with Both Bou OUT NOW 🎙️ “What does Khmer design actually look like?” It’s a question Both and his team ask all the time. Most people immediately picture Angkor Wat. Ornate carvings. Intricate patterns. Temple details. And yes, that’s part of our visual history. But try shrinking all that detail into a tiny logo and suddenly… it doesn’t work. Both shares how he used to swing between extremes — stripping everything back, leaning into Swiss minimalism, avoiding anything that felt like cliché “Khmer-ified” branding — before hitting the real challenge: How do you design something modern… without losing your roots? This Death in Cambodia, Life in America episode is available to listen to on Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts! 🔊

Finally got to see the final output of the work our @anagata.design team has put into the ISI GROUP brand identity design. Looking back at where we started, I’m immensely proud of the work the team and I have put in since the very inception of our design practice. Designing a brand identity for a company of this scale presents a unique set of challenges that aren’t always apparent from the outside. Between the many moving parts, legal requirements, internal alignment, and the need for a rapid design response, it’s a balance that isn’t easy to find. Sometimes these challenges are completely out of our control, but navigating them is exactly what makes the final result so rewarding. The new ISI GROUP brand identity wasn’t just about a “new look”; it was designed to be a living, evolving system. We wanted to build something that grows alongside the brand, giving them the flexibility to adapt without needing a major, expensive brand refresh every few years. The new logotype system was built to be both effective and efficient, ensuring the brand’s equity cuts through the noise and communicates clearly across every touchpoint, from business unit representation to the wider product brand architecture. As a team, we’re truly blessed to work with clients who trust our process, enabling us to do work like this. It’s a huge milestone for us, and I’m excited to see how this system serves the Group in the years to come. We have many more exciting things happening this year. Stay tuned. #brandidentitydesign #branding #logo #logotype #logotypedesign

NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🎤 This week on Death in Cambodia, Life in America, I sit down with Both Bou, @both_bou award-winning designer, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Anagata, and the visionary behind Baramey’s powerful identity redesign. From navigating Cambodia’s education system to becoming one of the country’s leading creative voices, Both talks about the evolution of Khmer visual identity, why creatives reflect society back to itself, and what it really takes to build something timeless. Named one of Prestige’s 40 Under 40, Both is helping shape the future of Cambodia’s creative landscape, and in this conversation, he reminds us that “small doesn’t mean less.” 🎧 This episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America episode will be available to listen to on Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts on Sunday, March 8th 🔊 #DeathInCambodiaLifeInAmerica #BothBou #AnagataDesign #KhmerDesign #CambodianCreatives #BarameyProduction #CambodianIdentity #CreativeLeadership #KhmerRenaissance #CambodianDiaspora

I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately, especially as I watch the shift in our local market. Over the past couple of months, there has been a much bigger emphasis on Cambodian businesses to level up and improve so we can truly compete on a regional and global scale. For Khmer brands to stand on that stage, branding and good design are going to be key factors that we cannot ignore. But there’s a lot of confusion right now. Many people are still trying to figure out how branding actually fits into the big picture, and how it’s supposed to work alongside other disciplines like marketing. Here’s an important insight that will offer clarity if you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or designer navigating the process of building a brand: “People buy into your branding before they buy into your marketing.” If the very first time someone sees your company or brand is through a piece of marketing or an advertisement claiming how great your product is, they aren’t going to believe it right away. Why should they? It’s a claim you’re making about yourself. They go to their family, their friends, or their peers who have used your service or products before. They ask: “What was the experience actually like?” “Did the food taste good?” “Was it really worth the price?” The first thing they do isn’t “Buy.” The first thing they do is “Verify.” As Marty Neumeier says, your brand is a person’s gut feeling about your product or service. If that gut feeling doesn’t match the claim in your marketing, then your brand fails. However, when your branding is in sync, it changes everything. If the real-world experience matches the promise and claim you’re making, you don’t have to convince people anymore. They already believe your marketing because they already trust your brand. The marketing becomes the “easy yes” because the trust was already built by the brand. Don’t lead with the claim. Lead with the experience. ——— #brand #branding #brandidentitydesign #marketing #brandingvsmarketing #branddesign #design #graphicdesign #typography #brandstrategy #cambodia #khmer #khmerbrand

Sambath Both Bou Chum (@both_bou ), also known as Both Bou, is a self-taught creative visionary and the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Anagata. With almost a decade of experience, Both Bou has transformed Cambodia’s design landscape by curating Khmer cultural elements with global design principles. He’s led countless projects, and his work has been instrumental in elevating the local design community. Through mentoring, workshops, and global representation, he continues to push boundaries and shape Cambodia’s creative future. “Small doesn’t mean less.” – Angkearith Mao Special thanks to @rosewoodphnompenh @the_macallan @investhk.it @cbvs_official @claseazulofficial Video: @breaddesignmedia #PrestigeCambodia #PrestigeKH #Prestige40Under40

I’m happy to announce that I will be serving as a judge for the Typography/Lettering category of the @artdirectorsclub 105th Annual Awards. As a self-taught designer, this is quite a surreal moment. Typography was a crucial key element that unlocked a lot of things in my career, so I’m excited to be involved in this and look forward to seeing all the amazing entries. The Art Directors Club is the world’s first creative industry organization. Founded in 1920, the ADC sponsors the longest continually running award show that celebrates excellence in design, advertising, motion, illustration, photography and craftsmanship. Importantly, all revenue from the show funds a range of professional development, education and diversity programs within the industry. By entering the ADC Annual Awards, you help build the future of our profession. Your support helps keep these initiatives free or low-cost for participants. The final deadline to enter is Friday, February 20, 2026. Entries can be submitted at adcawards.org. All judges can be viewed at adcawards.org/jury/ Thanks to @theoneclubforcreativity ———— #ADCAWARDS #typography #lettering #graphicdesign #designer #brandidentity #brandidentitydesign #branding #typographic

More explosives were dropped in Battambang today, I saw videos of kids fleeing schools because of how close the blast was. I pray for the everyone’s safety. A ceasefire must happen. #fuckwar #nowar #peace #ceasefire

A few more snapshots from the @prestigecambodia 40 Under 40 Gala Dinner. Nearing my 10-year professional design anniversary, this award is more than just recognition—it’s a significant personal milestone. It validates the countless hours of self-teaching, the sleepless nights worrying whether a logotype was kerned correctly, and the quiet fear of building a brand identity career here in Cambodia. As I mentioned previously, this year has been incredibly validating as we start to see the fruits of seeds planted long ago. While I’m usually hesitant to celebrate when there’s still work to be done, it’s nice to take a moment and let this one sink in. A massive thank you and “flowers” to my amazing business partners, collaborators, and brothers in arms: @byangkearith and @sovichet . To say I wouldn’t be here today without them is an understatement. Cheers to continuing to build a brighter future for design in Cambodia. #anagata #prestigecambodia #prestigekh #prestige40under40

@prestigecambodia 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 Gala dinner last night. It’s an honor to get recognized for the work my team (@anagata.design ) and I have put into pushing for a higher standard of design within Cambodia. Had a wonderful time meeting everyone last night and wishing everyone all the best. ❤️ #prestigecambodia #prestigekh #prestige40under40