JUNGHEE LEE
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Junghee Lee ("JL") 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?
JL : Ever since my early teens, hip-hop music, B-movies, and street culture have been the foundation of my design background.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
JL : I became a architect because I realized that I am happiest when I create what I envision.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
JL : choose to become a designer
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
JL : I want to create designs that fully express the imagination still in my mind that I haven't yet realized.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
JL : Keep thinking, read novels, watch movies, and listen to music continuously.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
JL : I don't see the point in distinguishing between the two.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
JL : A good design should resonate with the heart. Understanding through explanation does not make a good design.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
JL : Good design makes people in the world happy.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
JL : I want to create a design just for myself.
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
JL : Designing a house for my family to live in.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
JL : There are so many. Numerous filmmakers, musicians, and all the architects in the world.
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
JL : I still love the simple and unembellished designs of Mies van der Rohe and Dieter Rams.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
JL : My favorite project is my first one, 'Daebong-dong Commercial.' It's because it was the project where I most deliciously combined materials like concrete, wood, glass, and metal.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
JL : Just keep doing it consistently.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
JL : I am an independent film director and a hip-hop DJ. If I hadn't become a designer, I would have spent most of my life making films and creating music.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
JL : Design is simply the act of bringing your thoughts and imaginations into reality.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
JL : There is no one.
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
JL : Countless movies and music.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
JL : Feeling lazy and wanting to quit halfway.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
JL : For a designer who tends to dislike being in the spotlight, this can be a significant challenge. I am the same way. However, designers must actively promote their work somehow.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
JL : I am designing a house for a family by the seaside. I am thinking about how nature and the house can harmonize with each other.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
JL : I don't have any grand goals. I just want to keep doing this work, and that's enough for me.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
JL : I have never thought about other people's expectations until now.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
JL : Design will make people happy and change their way of thinking.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
JL : I have a project collaborating with DJs. I am exploring the integration of music and architecture.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
JL : My favorite project is my first one, 'Daebong-dong Commercial.' It's because it was the project where I most deliciously combined materials like concrete, wood, glass, and metal.
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
JL : It is clear that advancements in AI will lead to overall improvements in standards. However, good design may become even more scarce.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
JL : It's moving towards uniformity.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
JL : The actual time spent on pure design is quite short. However, the follow-up work to implement it takes 2-3 months.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
JL : I simply take out and use the thoughts I've stored in my mind one by one.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
JL : Persistent and continuous work.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
JL : I think both are correct.
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
JL : Technology and design are inseparable. When designing, technology is crucial and they function as one.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
JL : rhino, sketchup, logic, pencil
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
JL : Elements that complete a design.
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
JL : What were your thoughts when you first came up with this design?
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
JL : Based on this, more new ideas are generated.
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
JL : I believe that a complete design starts from an individual's solitary thought. Partner or collaborative design work is just business.
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
JL : There are so many. Numerous filmmakers, musicians.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
JL : Countless novels of the world.
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
JL : With each project, I experienced mistakes and used those experiences to improve step by step.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
JL : I want to have conversations with people from different cultures. The differences in thoughts that come from fundamental, innate environments are quite fascinating.
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
JL : I still don't think I am in that position.
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
JL : Blue, temple, Sashimi, spring, turntable, Technics.
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
JL : After finishing, sometimes I think of a better idea later. When that happens, I boldly redo it.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
JL : I spend a certain amount of time designing every day regularly. I just keep going with the mindset that this is my life.
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
JL : I never thought of it that way. I was just a boy interested in the many fascinating things in the world.
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
JL : Humans will no longer exist on Earth.
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
JL : 2m2 Architects aims to present new cultural and social possibilities in the conventional and traditional Korean architectural scene. They are interested in various fields beyond architecture, such as design, music, video, and street culture, and they collaborate on projects with these diverse areas.
