Meet Lowell Gillia, President at Design Asylum
Introduce yourself with your degree information and tell us what you do now.
Hi, I’m Lowell Gillia, founder and creative lead at Design Asylum — a multidisciplinary design studio that’s been shaping ideas into visuals and breaking molds for 28 years. We specialize in graphic design, integrated branding, and web development — basically, we make brands look good and make sense.
My roots are in Communication Arts, with an Associate of Science from Honolulu Community College. I later took my passion for design to a private college in Northern California to sharpen my skills and expand my creative toolbox.
What makes Design Asylum unique?
We consider ourselves slightly off-centered but never off target. We’re in the business of challenging norms, collaborating with purpose, and crafting visual solutions that actually solve something.
What do we have in common with our clients? A healthy obsession with the idea that great design and smart marketing— whether daring or delightfully offbeat — make everything better. Creativity works.
Our not-so-secret sauce? We’re Niche Expert Builders. That means we don’t just play in the niche — we evolve it. We layer fresh applications onto proven industries, delivering bold ideas without blowing the budget. Innovation with intention, and a side of efficiency.
Can you tell us about a project you worked on that stands out to you?
There have been a lot of standout projects over the years — but if I’m being honest, it’s the relationships that leave the biggest mark. Some of our clients have been with us since day one. We’ve collaborated, grown together, watched their businesses thrive — and in many cases, watched their families grow too. That kind of longevity and trust? That’s what we’re most proud of.
What is your favorite memory from Honolulu Community College?
I have a special connection to Honolulu Community College — not just as a student, but later as a lecturer. As a student, it’s where I met some of my closest friends and my fiercest career competitors (the good kind). As a lecturer, one of my favorite memories — and one that still sticks with me — is witnessing students having those A-ha! moments. You can see it in their eyes when something clicks. You know it’s a spark they’ll carry with them long after the class ends.
What advice would you give a current UH student hoping to run their own business in Hawai‘i one day?
Always remember your roots — and why you wanted to be an entrepreneur in the first place. That “why” will keep you grounded when things get tough (and they will get tough). Build consistency into your routine, stay curious, and never stop learning. Don’t be afraid to ask other business owners for advice — chances are, they’ve been in your shoes and are just as willing to share as they once were to ask.
Why did you decide to give back to the UH alumni community and design the Makers’ Market tote bags this year?
Giving back to the UH alumni community felt like coming full circle. HCC gave me the foundation to build my career, so designing the Makers’ Market tote bags was a meaningful way to show appreciation — and to support the next wave of local entrepreneurs. At Design Asylum, community involvement is part of our culture. It’s actually written into our handbook: everyone contributes, whether by donating time, skills, or creative energy. This project wasn’t just design work — it was a chance to honor where we started and help others move forward.
If you could go back and spend one day as a student at Honolulu Community College, what would you do?
If I could go back for just one day, I’d keep it simple — grab a cup of coffee, wander the old hallways, and soak it all in. That campus was the start of everything for me. It’s where the spark was lit, where ideas turned into ambition. I’d take a quiet moment to appreciate how far that humble beginning has taken me — and maybe even peek into a classroom to see today’s students chasing their own dream.
To learn more about Design Asylum, click here.