JungHee Kim

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer JungHee Kim ("JK") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

JK : I majored in metal crafts at the university and naturally walked the designer's path.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

JK : Jewelry design while doing part-time sales at a jewelery shop in collegeI was interested.I have a dream to make a brand with the jewelery I designed.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

JK : I decided to become a designer myself

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

JK : jewelery designer and producer.The concept of a tree will make more story-oriented work..

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

JK : We need to constantly research and strive without losing the initial focus. And you have to enjoy designing.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

JK : The great designer is the designer who is trusted by the customer.A good designer is a designer who can convey the meaning of design without expert knowledge.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

JK : A good design is created when a designer does not lose an introductory and design that leads to sympathy and communication

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

JK : Design determines the aesthetic shape that stimulates sales. In that sense, design is a silent sales.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

JK : I would like to make a tiara with the motif of Korean bridal crown and golden crown.This is because it is a symbol of Phoebe shining woman.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

JK : I am Korean with my oriental and modern design. I want to do solo show in Europe and USA. My design is a design that can bring out empathy and communication without expert knowledge.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

JK : It is scarcity, comfort and passion for design.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

JK : Coco Chanel is the mentor of my designer life. She has her own design philosophy and is unique.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

JK : I like Chanel's design style and design color. I especially admire her passion for design philosophy and design.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

JK : I think that the design that impresses the customer is a great design. And when the customer feels that my heart is being conveyed in my work.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

JK : You should research your own design without constantly imitating others' designs

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

JK : I would have become a teacher.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

JK : Designed as a formative realization of a given purpose. It says to plan.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

JK : The support and encouragement of our family and neighbors and the trust of our customers have enabled me now.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JK : have been constantly researching and trying to find my own design color. And my designs have a story and a heart.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

JK : Jewelry has been regarded only as a luxury item, not as an artwork. However, the wearer soon realized that the jewel brings comfort and joy to a single piece of art.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

JK : It will be a good experience for designers to get evaluation from the public through competition or exhibition.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

JK : It is a project that is a motif of nature, but it brings the transition of applications with added functionality

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

JK : Even if I do not exist in this world, my design is to make it exist forever

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

JK : It is expected that the meaning of design will be conveyed and the design development will become an art in life. I would like a designer who can listen to the customers' voice and actively reflect on the design.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JK : It brings convenience and warmth of life and improves the quality of life.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

JK : I am studying design for next project as usual.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

JK : The design is different, but the passion until the finished product is the same. So everything is precious.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

JK : I would like the industry to lead more fashion by studying more designs and following trends.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

JK : It seems that the most attention is focused on electronic products. Especially for software and telecommunication equipment.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

JK : Difficulty depends on design. From design to completion, it takes a 1month to or 1year

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

JK : Design concepts and themes are determined first.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JK : When I leave this world, I will live a life in which only my own person can smile and everyone around me can cry.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

JK : There is no trend for me. It is a trend that I make. Instead, sympathy and communication must be inherent in the background.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

JK : It determines fit, use and form.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

JK : I prefer analog rather than digital. So, I draw up idea sketches freely through hand drawing.and I prefer carving with soft wax that is free form and expression.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

JK : I think it is aesthetics, sustainability and environmentally friendly.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

JK : It is design inspiration, concept and intention. And I want to ask about the design philosophy that only I have.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

JK : I'm curious about the inspiration and intent of the design.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

JK : I think design philosophy, design style and thoughts are the same and can be good partners. It can also be your best partner if you have a predictable future.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

JK : When the university did not decide on the subject of the master's thesis. There is a professor who gave advice to me. The word "Do what you can do best" has become a mentor to design.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

JK : Wisdom to see the world, wisdom to control the mind, etc. I became a mentor of my mind in design..

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

JK : It is a study through sampling of many idea sketches and infinite repetition..

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

JK : I want to talk to the preliminary designers who have dreams of designers to lead the future

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

JK : I feel sorry. But it was a chance to instill a sense of challenge towards the Platinum prize and thank you for this A`Design award

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

JK : Favorite color is blue, place is design lab, food is spicy food, season is autumn, and my favorite things are computer, camera, and mobile phone.My favorite brand is Coco Chanel.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

JK : I work on the design and setting of old jewelery of customers. Old jewelery has different memories. I put the memories in a jewelery design and have them reborn with a new name. I feel rewarded when I am happy to find memories that customers have forgotten.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

JK : A good idea brings good design inspiration and leads me to a new design world every day..

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

JK : I never thought of being a designer when I was a child.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

JK : It seems to be the age when the public not only a few can communicate with the design. I have not thought of it until after 1,000 years, but it seems that a new world that I could not think of would be unfolding. I am sad that I do not exist, but my design will stay forever and miss me.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

JK : I would like you to recognize that jewelery is an item that completes fashion as an art ornament in everyday life.