Interview with Olivia Eunnara Ko

Olivia Eunnara Ko ("OEK") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

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

OEK : 12' BFA Product Design, Parsons School of Design, NY, U.SVMD Internship, ABC Home, NY, U.S, 2011Product/Graphic designer at Ercole Home, NY, U.S, 2012-2014Product Designer, Larissa, Seoul, Korea, 2015Freelanced Designer, LG cosmetic 'belif', Seoul, Korea, 2016Solo Exhibition, Min Gallery, 2016Product Designer, DeoroKrush, Seoul, Korea, 2017Chief Design Officer, TheTruthCoin, Seoul, Korea, 2018

How did you become a designer?

OEK : I've always loved drawing, painting and making something since I was a little girl. My parents supported me to study abroad in the one of the best design school, Parsons School of Design:) Talented students and passionate professors are very strong motivations so that those environment really could help me to be a designer.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

OEK : Brainstorming with making mood board, Hand-drawing, CAD.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

OEK : Grateful and happy.

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

OEK : My mom got talent in interior design and all other hand-craft arts. She has been the biggest influence on my design work by now.

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

OEK : My first solo exhibition's title was "Impression of NYC". I'd like to travel all around the world to get impressions of all different cities as inspirations for my upcoming exhibition. As my previous works, I would keep trying to merge 2D illustration to 3D things.

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

OEK : Just do make, draw and design whatever you want when you are young. After graduate school, when you become a professional designer, there is no chance that you can explore and try so many styles of design crazily.

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

OEK : Please keep showing me your great works, I would get inspired from you and my works would inspire you either.

What is your day to day look like?

OEK : Woke up, have a cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal, Work, personal design project work after work, go to sleep happily. Simple as yours.

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

OEK : I stick with my own personal design style, quite a straightforward and easy. I get my inspirations from my own memories, feelings and impressions about the whole world.

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

OEK : Good design is supposed to be easy in use for everyone and look neat and made with eco-friendly materials.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

OEK : I'm not satisfied with my work easily. I believe that there will be always a way to improve them. There can not be perfection. So I can hardly decide if my design is ready. Only due makes my work ready.

What is your biggest design work?

OEK : Matter of course, Coexistence of NYC, silver A'Design Award 2017 is my biggest design work and I especially proud of.

Who is your favourite designer?

OEK : Philippe Starck. I love the way he demonstrates his ideas to industrial designs. Humorous and chic. Simple and very well understandable. I admire him most.

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

OEK : As my works keep saying, NYC is my only inspiring city. I'm in Seoul now but I think all of my work and inspirations are still based in NY.

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

OEK : I prefer working alone but communicating with parters is good. Positive mind and passionate attitude are the most things I do look for in person I would be hiring or working together.

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

OEK : I'm going to use Social Media Channel to provide videos about how to design for free to public in this year.

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

OEK : It gives me so many opportunities to be participated in a lot of exhibitions globally. so much great experiences.

Olivia Eunnara Ko Profile