Zachary Haris Ong: Integrity and Commitment to Excellence
/ Principal at Zachary Haris Ong & Associates
by Elizabeth Lavis | 06 Aug 2026
“Intention is the most crucial aspect of design”
Zachary Haris Ong stands on personal and professional integrity and commitment to excellence in every area and aspect of his life. The official Principal and Director and Chief Everything Officer of Zachary Haris Ong & Associates is driven making a difference in people’s lives using design as the means to change individuals, companies, countries, and the world.
Ong comes from Malaysia, a country he credits as a constant source of creative inspiration thanks to its rich tapestry of cultures. “The harmonious blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous traditions creates a vibrant cultural landscape unlike anywhere else,” Ong says. “From colorful festivals and traditional dances to the diverse architecture and languages, each aspect of this multicultural nation offers endless opportunities for artistic expression. In Malaysia, you see unity in diversity, in how different communities coexist and celebrate one another’s heritage.”
His design approach starts with fully understanding what the client needs, then defining the broader brand strategy. Then, they create the brand essence, followed by a visual design that covers all the client’s touchpoints. He rounds off the process with content design, social media, customer experience design, and finally public relations. “Intention is the most crucial aspect of design,” Ong says.
He keeps burnout away by balancing working hard and resting just as hard. “I have a specific time of the day and week that I turn off work and just rest, re-energize, and rejuvenate,” Ong says. “I also stay creative under pressure by seeking inspiration from sources other than design, like history, biology, and psychology.”
Generally, branding campaigns take between three and six months to complete, and Ong keeps clients looped in with weekly or monthly update meetings. He also has alignment meetings with his team every Monday at 9 a.m. sharp. This system, plus Ong’s commitment to integrity at all times, keeps the process running smoothly.
He also relies on some legacy tools of the trade like Zoom, Slack, and Notion to make life easier, and he takes time to draw inspiration from books, museums, and exhibitions. He’s also influenced by the work of Michael Beirut and is most proud of designing the website for his home country of Malaysia. “Being able to serve is the most fulfilling aspect of design,” Ong says.
Ong also offers some smart advice for up-and-coming designers. “If you want to be a better designer, seek a mentor,” he says. “Find someone you admire and don’t be afraid to ask for their guidance.” He also advises novice designers to stay inspired and true to their own thinking and style. “Our design inspiration comes from a deep appreciation of our cultural roots,” he says. “I believe that as designers we have a responsibility to make our work promote cultural assets.”
Ong’s three major goals moving forward are profitability, creativity, and a rewarding career. He balances his ambitions with unwinding and playing video games, especially League of Legends, and his dream dinner companions are Michelle and Barack Obama.
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