Interview with Sook Ko

Sook Ko ("SK") interviewed on Saturday, 17 March.

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

SK : I'm an Information designer. I studied visual communication at Sejong University in Korea and then studying Information design deeply at the Design Academy of the Netherlands now.

How did you become a designer?

SK : I grew up in Korea. It seems more appropriate for a Korean student to say that the environment chooses his future, rather than choosing his own future. When I was in high school, I chose the design because I liked the art class and the design had a bright future prospect at that time. However, I met good professors at Sejong University and knew that my favorite was infographics, and now I am studying the information master 's course in the Netherlands to study more deeply.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

SK : My major is information design, and the field that I am most interested in is a visualization of sound information. I also work on animation to support it. Previous work was limited to making infographic, or illustration. However, I am also interested in the 3d model which is made by collaborating with the technicians nowadays. All my designs have processes that use data as input, which is the driving force and generates a variety of outputs with my design motifs.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

SK : I am interested in visualizing sound information. It is because people can understand more vividly and deeply through the information visualization that can not be felt when they only hear the sound.

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

SK : I have always thought about what to do as a designer, and the latest conclusion is "Let's do what we can." Every designer has a different background, and there will surely be one area that they are best at. I am a designer who works mainly at home, but suddenly I was in a slump when I tried to design work in the direction of a social activist fighting the world. When the work seems not go on, I think it will be helpful to look at who I am, what I have done, what processes I had.

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

SK : I am working on the visualization of Korean traditional music 'Gukak' which is now disappearing. I would like to further develop this work and help people around the world know Gukak.

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

SK : I think it is the best design that comes out from what I can do best!

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

SK : Since I am still learning information design, it is hard to say that I succeeded. I will pass this question.

What is your day to day look like?

SK : When ideas do not come up, I turn to contemporary art or a completely different field, rather than a design reference. I get inspiration there.

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

SK : I do not follow the current trend when designing, but personal motifs and personal interests seem to be more important. The design environment also seems to have a great effect on my design.

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

SK : A good design for me is to make people feel the thoughts of the designer and the philosophies he has without much explanation.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

SK : Design for me cannot be completed. If done, I think the time limit is what made it.

What is your biggest design work?

SK : My favorite work is 'Chirming'. It was a visualization of the birds' sounds, and I received a platinum in this award. This work is a special work for me because it gives me a deeper understanding of the visualization of sound. I am currently working on visualizing the disappeared Korean music "Gukak". I am working on video work and 3d in addition to the existing infographic method.

Who is your favourite designer?

SK : Of course, 'Joost Grootens'. He is the head of the school where I am attending, and his work is also respectful.

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

SK : Of course, I am sure that my culture has influenced my project. I am studying a master's course in the Netherlands now, but all my work here, my cultural background has had a big impact on my design. I am just a designer, and I can not change the world. But at least I believe I, we can make a flow that drives it.

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

SK : I prefer to work alone. The time to immerse in the design is too random for me. It can be morning or dawn. If I find someone to work with me, I will surely find someone who is interested in the project I'm working on.

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

SK : I think positively about humanitarian projects aimed at ever-present social problems. I respect the designers who lead such trends.

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

SK : Compared to other design competitions, A’ design award displayed my work in various places, and continued to promote it. Thanks to it, I was able to build a lot of exhibitions list, and I am very grateful. It helped me the most in my design career.

Sook Ko Profile