Interview with Eunji Kim

Eunji Kim ("EK") interviewed on Saturday, 17 March.

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

EK : I am an proactive product-service designer who designs products based on strong user experience and service with tangible objects. I have strived to connect these world with services and products. also, I have wide variety of interests in other designs including shoes, bags and architecture. so I constantly design products, services, shoes, bags, buildings.

How did you become a designer?

EK : when I was 3 years old, I loved how scissors make everything different. I trimmed my brother's hair and cut papers to make shoes. ever since my childhood habit, I have always though that I would definitely be a person who creatively make something out of nothing. and I have chosen Industrial designer because it encompasses everything from needle to spaceship.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

EK : I think everything starts from observing something. When there seems nothing happening, we can find something meaningful and valuable. after observation and some research ( interviews or desk researches etc ) I start to think of good ways to change the current situation. It might be a sketch or conceiving different ways of services. It continues until I find the most appropriate and decent solutions.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

EK : Through the process, I am continuously curious. but when the solutions don't come out and some struggles are come ahead, I might feel a little bit stressed. However, after looking back all those process, It is really rewarding.

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

EK : I love reading books and magazines. in middle school days, I read a lot of magazines because I wanted to be a fashion designer. But there was more features and articles other than fashions. for example a good place to visit for reading and some interesting new hobbies etc. so I began to have more interests in other design fields. I think that aspects has inspired me to design several different items in different fields.

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

EK : My next plan is to enroll in design school as Master's Degree students in United States of America. as I want to integrate services and products more seamlessly, I want to take part in tech-clubs in the university and want to have more conversation with people from different background for more inspiration. I would love to empower the change of the world with my design ability in the end.

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

EK : as a college freshman student, I had tried to take part in as many events as possible. I think it is a great way to find what I really want to do in life. as I still find the steering path for my life, I will have my ears and eyes wide open for new exciting program that I can take part in.

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

EK : I think great designs come to birth after the long enduring moments of deep contemplation, the struggles for the final detail and perfection. I am not a truly successful designer yet, but I believe my continuous efforts will bring me truly meaningful and valuable outcomes.

What is your day to day look like?

EK : I usually read books when I'm on the way to somewhere. It brings me freshness and joy. and I love to observe how people act and speak. It sometimes gives me some new insights. also, I usually look through what other designers have done through bechance when I have time.

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

EK : I stick to the latest design trends and also the latest technology evolvements as well. since the industrial design is quite closely aided with the most cutting-edge technology, It is quite imperative to always have a keen eye on the newest things. I usually follow Facebook pages such as MIT technology review. and I follow some tumblr pages for new product design.

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

EK : well, the definition of the good design varies. but for me the well designed project is giving people true benefits in terms of problem solving, aesthetic, and economical aspects etc.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

EK : I usually set the deadlines for the completion of a single project. Because whenever I look at my project in rather fresh and new perspectives, there is always a thing that should be changed. so the modification keep going without any definite promises. So until the deadline, I struggle to finish as much as I can. then the project seems ready.

What is your biggest design work?

EK : The biggest and the most worthwhile project that I had undertook was Odyssey. the project was undertaken for the degree show in Hongik University Industrial Design Department. My team began to think about how we could help children with digital video addictions during their development stage. We proceeded to create an outdoor treasure hunt service after performing deep ethnological research and observation. At first, we did not expect that the outcome would result in a tangible object, nor in the development of a cutting-edge technology, but in the design creation process we developed an AR product with strong story. I realized that combining technology with seamless service design was inevitable. Similarly, it helped me understand how to apply the right technology to the right design. Furthermore, the service design process helped me to discover hidden needs and solve problems to create desirable and reasonable results for users.

Who is your favourite designer?

EK : I have been very impressed by Jony Ive, the chief design officer in Apple. I have read his biography when I was a freshman in school. The thing that I was most impressed about is that as a student he strives to make the most beautiful and meaningful design, so he made more than 100 prototypes to test when other student make only 5 or 6. I think it is not about the quantity but it’s about his struggle and passion and grit from heart that makes a good design and therefore good designer. Not to mention Apple’s legendary snow-white design, its user interaction design is the thing that i cannot stop using apple. His attitude and passion for one project Is so inspiring, that I always look up to mr. jony ive and strives to be like him.

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

EK : I strived to live in a different city in different countries. I have studied industrial design in seoul, korea and schwaebisch gmeund in germany. and I have interned in seoul and would move to Aarhus in dermark for another internship. and this september I would move to Illinois in USA for a master. I have found that there are cultural differences that might affect the users' interaction with services and products. I tried to understand the humanity and there life journey throughout the world. and I hope to be a designer with more understanding about the differences.

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

EK : I have recently learned to collaborate effectively with people. the point is how I can elaborate my ideas and convey them to my coworkers effectively. and how I have open-minded ear to completely listen to what others' say.

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

EK : I have a deep interests in small medical wearables. I have designed P'buddy which is for early-stage parkinson's disease patients for their rehabilitation. and hope to find the mechanical engineer who can help with it. Also, I am thinking of designing a very small wearable for detecting and alarming heart attack. therefore, I believe designers like me can contribute to a single patients to millions of people in the world.

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

EK : I have been introduced to many websites due to A'Design Award's professional promotion and marketing department. I am so thankful that my design is appreciated by many others. and It continuously inspires me to design great things.

Eunji Kim Profile