NZXT Corporation was born two and a half years ago, fuelled with a passion to build unique and truly designer computer cases for the “computer gamer” market. Known as “Crafted Gaming Armour” their designs represented a gamer’s need for something unique in a world proliferated by regular “beige boxes” that sit under their desks.

Computer gamers are a different breed of computer user that not only buy the latest hardware to power demanding games, but they also care about what the box looks like that houses them. Many of the most extravagant custom computer case designs have come from gamers themselves and Johnny Hou, NZXT’s Lead Designer and Global Marketing and Product Marketing Manager is not only a gamer himself, but he can be credited with being one of the first to really push the envelope of design.

Johnny was born in Taiwan; the hot spot of the computer industry. At the age of ten, Johnny and his family came to the U.S. so that he could fully develop his design skills, creativity, and free thought: Things that are not common in a typical Chinese culture. Through his upbringing, Johnny developed a unique understanding of both the North American market and the Asian market. As a result, Johnny Hou was the perfect weapon to help launch a young Taiwanese company into a competitive computer case market.

Even though Johnny is charged with developing products responsible for NZXT’s growing sales, his youthfulness has revealed some prejudice in the industry. Johnny admits that being called a “Lead Designer and Global Product and Marketing Manager” makes business go a bit smoother in an industry where age and seniority are part of the politics. "The title definitely does help, but regardless of what they think of me personally, they have to work with me in the end". Although he’s been around for only twenty-three years, he has shown wisdom in letting the work he does speak for itself rather than allowing a few “ripe individuals” to rattle his mettle.

Johnny typically starts his day at nine in the morning, but doesn’t often leave till at least seven in the evening. Yet he still finds time to have fun during the day. “I will always find at least one hour in my day to play games…” These long days involve meetings in several time zones, which is one of the reasons his days end up extended. However, Johnny knows that the career he has chosen is a lifestyle. “I find joy in my work so working long hours is not really a problem because I’m enjoying every bit of it”.