Interview with Lara Kim

Lara Kim ("LK") interviewed on Sunday, 23 May.

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

LK : I am a pure artist. I didn't have official art education, but I felt sentimental from an early age, imagined creatively, and enjoyed drawing it. I started uploading my paintings on social media a year ago. Since then, I got the opportunity to sell works in partnership with galleries in Korea, and sells original paintings on the Artsper online platform in France.

How did you become a designer?

LK : I thought creatively and diversely and really liked to paint it. But I didn't have the courage to show it to anyone. Of course I didn't think I'd be an artist. I worked in a lot of part-time jobs but none of them fit me. I failed so many things and couldn't adapt well to the world. Then one day, I thought I didn't want to end my life like this. I had a strong passion to leave my paintings after I died. Previously, cheap materials were used to paint alone in spare time without anyone knowing. However, after that day, I bought professional paints and canvases and began painting most of the time.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

LK : When I paint, I try to immerse myself in a quiet space alone. When I enter that stage of immersion, I connect and separate the many things I want to hold strongly among the many things I have accumulated in my head so far. After that process I get something that connects. It is sketched, modified, moved to canvas, and painted with a brush, other tools, or hand with acrylic paint or other materials.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

LK : I have a strong sense of immersion and a pleasure when I imagine an idea. To imagine an idea, I have to feel pleasant. If I'm too sad or depressed, I'm in a slump and can't start. I get rid of standards, be generous and pursue childlike pleasures to escape oppression and framing. But it doesn't just mean the idea of a pleasant subject. Joy is the key to opening the door, but once I enter it, I feel all my emotions, memories, thoughts, intuition, etc. It uses a lot of energy, captures the moment, connects and separates it. When I’m thinking of an idea that time makes me feel that I’m alive. After the idea is finished, I begin to implement on canvas. I feel good if it goes well as intended, but I worry a lot if it doesn't go well as intended. After all that process, I feel positive about myself when one piece is completed. It supports my life.

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

LK : My sensitivity and intuition are the important factors that make the idea of my painting. Ever since I was young, I have loved to feel sensitive and intuitive about things that are invisible. Those tendencies helped me imagine, and became the personality of my paintings.

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

LK : I liked to imagine and paint with intuition. I just liked to paint with my own personality. So I didn't have the courage to show others. My parents didn't like me painting, they wanted me to have another job. They wanted me to be more emotionally strong. They were conventional people. But I was a child who felt sensitive and hated convention. When I was exposed to a lot of people and a lot of situations, I was confused and lost because of a lot of stimulation. So even now, I usually meet a few people and prefer to live in isolation for my artistic mental activity. My desire for my painting is bordering on instinct. I want my paintings to inspire many people. So after I die, I want to be inspired by the work of an artist who tries to leave creative pictures behind.

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

LK : I'm just an artist who wants to keep painting. I have a great affection for all my paintings, but I don't think I'm successful now. So honestly, I have nothing to advise to new designers. I spend almost all my time painting in my isolated space in my own way. So practical advice, such as curator, gallery, and mechanical system of the a'design award & competition was more important to me than anything else.

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

LK : I really appreciate you telling me that I succeeded as a designer. But I'm not an artist enough to give advice or suggestions to anyone. I’m just an artist who I imagine creatively and enjoy drawing it.

What is your day to day look like?

LK : I arrive at the studio at 7 a.m. And I clean up a little bit and drink coffee looking out of the window. I paint in the morning and do miscellaneous things in the afternoon. And I paint again. At the end of the day, I encounter various contents such as books, movies, and general news. To be honest, thinking and drawing ideas in my own way makes me the happiest and most excited. So sometimes I just want to keep drawing.

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

LK : For my ingenuity I tend to avoid looking at other people's paintings or designs. I want to keep making my own designs with creativity. I draw inspiration from small and varied things. These days, I enjoy watching news and reality contents.

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

LK : In my case, when the painting is unique and the message is delivered well, I am satisfied with my painting. But in general, when I encounter the design of a product, I think it is a good design if it fits the purpose of use and is convenient.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

LK : In my case, when the painting is unique and the message is delivered well, I am satisfied with my painting. But in general, when I encounter the design of a product, I think it is a good design if it fits the purpose of use and is convenient.

What is your biggest design work?

LK : I'm proud and special about most of the works except a few. Every moment I draw those pictures, I put in a lot of creative effort. Of course, I feel that the quality of the painting improves over time.

Who is your favourite designer?

LK : I don't have a favorite architect, artist, designer. I just admire and like most of the creators.

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

LK : I think and paint ideas in a very quiet state. I like isolated life and I hate conventional things. The place where my studio is is clean and beautiful. There are great design buildings, streets and parks here. When I need a rest, I walk in the park and on the street. I feel respected because of beautiful, modern and natural design of my surroundings. It really refreshes me and helps me create artwork.

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

LK : I like to work alone in isolation. However, when choosing a business partner, the dominant person is not preferred. I don't want a partner who can be suppressed to my creativity or mental activity. My creativity comes from a free, unbridled imagination. Therefore, we need a partner who can protect it. I like partners who are fair, cooperative and can keep their economic promises.

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

LK : I was only engaged in painting myself in isolation. Although I have tried to paint pictures that inspire many, I regret to say that I have not made a philanthropic contribution to society. But I have great respect and gratitude for people who do those things. Before painting, I served society with other occupations.

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

LK : First of all, I am truly grateful that the design award recognized the value of my art. They returned detailed feedback on what I described. It has improved my skills to explain my paintings a lot, and I felt various feeling like traveling. I am given the opportunity to promote my paintings and designs to many countries because the Awards are prestigious worldwide. That means that my art can be used in a variety of areas beyond the realm of pure art. Until now, I've had a feeling of happiness that I’ve been painting which is my favorite hobby but at the same time anxiety to uncertainty about my future. But by winning this award this time, I have more confidence in my future.

Lara Kim Profile