What does it take to transform a workspace, and a team, in just a few days? For our crew in Hanoi, it started with one visit from Pixel Dreams’ CEO Khalid aka Dreams during his business trip in June, 2025. On the surface, it was a simple office makeover. Underneath, it was a reset. The same care, discipline, and taste we bring to our work needs to be reflected in the space where that work is done.
Where Change Began
A Wake-Up Call
When our CEO Khalid aka Dreams first stepped into the Hanoi office, he saw a cultural gap in the clutter. Boxes lined the floor. Wires tangled under desks. Delivery packaging left untouched. Desks were mismatched and arranged with little thought. “The place was a little too startup-y,” Khalid reflected later. “It looked like a creative team had moved into their parents’ basement.”
Guests were coming soon, and Khalid knew this wasn’t how Pixel Dreams should be represented. Instead of handing out a critique, he sent an invitation.
The next morning at 8 am, the Hanoi crew walked into his hotel suite, encountering a living manifesto. Drawers were colour-coded, shirts pressed and hung, toiletries neatly categorized. Even vitamins had their own spot. The message was unmistakable: design is not limited to screens or campaigns. It shows up in every space we inhabit, even when temporary or unseen. “This is about designing your life,” Khalid told the team. “Every corner should reflect care, clarity, and creativity.”
From Chaos to Clarity
The message landed. That Monday, the Hanoi team rolled up their sleeves and began again. First came the purge: everything that didn’t belong was boxed, stored, or thrown away. Then came paint, furniture, and a fresh layout. Art from Pixel Dreams Toronto found its place on the walls. A new TV, sound system, and coffee machine arrived to set a new tone. By 9 p.m., the space already felt like a different studio. But that was just day one.
The following days brought even more transformation. We acquired dishware, kitchen tools, and supplies to equip a studio for real living, not just working. By midweek, a carpenter was building cabinets while, by chance, government inspectors showed up unannounced. The timing could not have been better. They walked in, paused, and smiled. Everything was orderly, thoughtful, and ready for guests. “We had tea, coffee, and fruit on hand,” Khalid recalled. “You could tell they noticed.”
Culture You Can Walk Into
Designing with intent
What came from those intense days was a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, and most importantly, a shift in mindset. The phrase “designing with intent” began to echo in conversations as a lived truth.
For Autumn aka Serenity, it meant recognizing that every choice either strengthens your purpose or dilutes it. For August aka Bold, it was the realization that being a great designer means approaching your space, your habits, and even your way of thinking, as you would the visuals you create. Jules aka Heart summed it up best: “The space speaks before you do. If done right, it sets the tone for how you show up. Since the renovation, we’ve been sharper, more focused. Better dressed, too.”
Leading by design
Khalid’s mission for his trip to Hanoi was to connect and establish standards. It was a serious commitment to culture, to growth, and to environments that inspire. “We don’t just want creative people,” he stated. “We want creative environments. Studios that spark focus, pride, and professionalism.”
Rather than handing the team a checklist, he gave them an experience. He showed them the difference between good enough and great, and then walked with them to close the gap. Now, when guests step into PD’s Hanoi office, they pause. They look around, and they feel great.
Welcome to PD Hanoi
The outpost is open. The transformation is complete (for now). And the team is proud to welcome you in. “We can’t wait for more of the PD family to visit,” Jules said. “And when you do, you’ll feel right at home.”
Our PD Hanoi office received a new coat of paint, new furniture, and upgraded equipment. But the real story is what happens when a design company decides to design itself intentionally, radically, and with purpose.
