Interview with Yongwook Seong

Yongwook Seong ("YS") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

YS : I am a self-taught designer, currently completing M.Arch degree at UBC.

How did you become a designer?

YS : I may not be a good speaker, but I found that I could be a good communicator visually at a young age. I enjoyed sharing my drawings with friends during school. The joy of sharing my design with others has been deeply carved in my childhood memory.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

YS : First, originality comes first for my design process. I am always driven to explore new ideas and thoughts. Second, timelessness is another aspect of design that I consider invaluable. Good design shall resonate with different generations beyond its own time period. Third, it may sound a cliche, design shall be provocative and disrupt status quo and create a new realm of time and space.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

YS : I am always most excited about a conceptual phase of design, initial concept exploration. This phase is the most mysterious moment to me like creating a microcosm within oneself.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

YS : Since I have been a self-taught designer, I tend not to confine myself to the boundary set by the prevailing design industry. Lack of a better word, I would say that I am close to be a multi-disciplinary designer. I often try to position myself in different roles, for example, what if I design a sofa like a copywriter or a jewelry designer.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

YS : I am interested in a small-scale hybrid studio or a boutique shop where a designer can be engaged in different levels and fields. I have always been inspired by small boutique shops driven by big ideas. I wish to establish a studio in the future where I can practice small-scale architecture, industrial design, brand/advertising design or any hybrid kinds.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

YS : I always bring my mini sketchbook with me. Whenever I have an idea or thought, I try to draw or write it down on my sketchbook. Be ready to be inspired by every bit of your life.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

YS : I think that a designer shall be a good actor/actress. We, designers, should imagine ourselves like clients or any parties involved, and understand their needs and desires. "Becoming a client" could provide an interesting perspective for designers. Designers shall train themselves to live and behave like a client for a certain time period.

What is your day to day look like?

YS : I start my day by brainstorming ideas with fresh mind. Also, it might sound a bit strange, but I sometimes try to isolate myself from my social peers. Being alone in a meditational state would induce a milieu where you could focus purely on your inner self and become an original thinker. Connectivity is important in the current digital age, but I personally think that "temporary/voluntary disconnectivity" can be equally important for designers who are aspired to stay original and inventive.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

YS : Again, timelessness is an important aspect for my design philosophy. Trends can be often temporal and ephemeral. But it may be more important for designers to understand zeitgeist and to be able to see a bigger picture.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

YS : A "good" design can be a subjective term, but to me, at least, a "good" design shall immediately provoke emotions or reactions as soon as one sees it.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

YS : These days, I also pay attention to an interactive aspect of design. In other words, a design may be complete with end-users. I sometimes try to leave some room for users to participate the design process and reinvent its uses.

What is your biggest design work?

YS : I think that iPhone Escalator (2011) may be one of them. It is an advertising concept that I created to break into the advertising industry. I transformed an escalator into the digital ocean rippled by the deep algorithmic force, and tried to signify the advent of augmented reality advertising. And this digital ocean can be physically manipulated by hand gestures with advanced technology in the future.

Who is your favourite designer?

YS : Nam June Paik (1932-2006) is the most inspiring artist for me. He extensively explored possibilities of media art earlier, and is a father figure for today's interactive art and design. His vision and thoughts on the digital age and humanity often inspire my design process.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

YS : I consider myself quite inquisitve. I often tend to question things we take for granted and experiment new things.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

YS : I would prefer to work alone or with a small group of people. I think that intimate communication in a human scale is becoming more valuable in the digital age. People who have a balance between analog and digital can be highly sought.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

YS : I think that designers are well-positioned to be a social leader these days when visual/interactive platforms and communications are highly valued. We as designers shall continuously educate ourselves to be able to see a bigger picture and create works that can be extended as pro bono on a daily basis.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

YS : A' Design Award has provided me with tremendous support and opportunities to grow as a full-fledged designer. First, publicity and credibility for designers are absolutely important for designers. I think A' Design Award is, by far, the best award competition that makes a continual effort for these. Second, A' Design Award helps designers to create a global designer community. A' Design Award is not a mere competition, but an active platform where designers and design-lovers can share their works and communicate each other. Third, I appreciate that A' Design Award equally values conceptual and experimental works by young designers. This really helps young and aspiring designers to gain exposure and grow. Thank you, A' Design Award.

Yongwook Seong Profile