Tae-Young Kim

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tae-Young Kim ("TK") 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?

TK : I graduated from Hyeopsung University with a degree in visual design. 2006.

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

TK : I wanted to paint, but there was opposition from my family. After graduating from college, I worked as a designer for a development company in the IT industry for four years, but my health deteriorated and I left. After that I chose the painter's path and working as a painter until now.

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

TK : My choice.

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

TK : I'm a Fine Art Award Winner, so I'm going to speak from the artist's point of view. I'm working about the wounds of the heart, and I want to work in connection with a lot of social issues, like discrimination and the absurd.

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

TK : I still needs to gain more experience. I can't answer yet because there are many people who are better than me.

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

TK : It depends on whether you have your own or not. Because it is authenticity that it has its own.

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

TK : To be a good work, it is to communicate in the original language of the work, not words or writings. Very difficult.

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

TK : A good work helps intellectual improvement. Which works you prefer tells you what kind of person you are as well as your intellectual level.

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

TK : My work is about the wounds and pain caused by discrimination. It includes not only the pain of my own but also the problem of discrimination that has not been solved yet in the world. It contains a message that human beings can find peace when values are respected.I just hope I can continue this work.

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

TK : I am not a successful yet. So it is difficult to answer correctly, but is not it important whether it is design or fine art? Thoughtless works are soulless, and such works only convey visually. I can not move my mind.

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

TK : I am inspired by the painful stories of others. Understanding and respecting their pain, being together and hurting together. That is included in my work.

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

TK : Taste varies from person to person, so even good design can be uncomfortable for someone. For example, when I worked as a designer in a company in the IT industry. The design that everyone liked was a big inconvenience for one blind person, and it was difficult. Each person has different tastes and circumstances.

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

TK : It is an "Orchid". Painted by Chosun politician Heungseon Daewonun in the 1800s. There is a huge energy in his work along with beauty. My work is close to the sentiment of oriental painting.

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

TK : I've been constantly thinking about my work. About me. And about my inner world. Constantly questioning and analyzing.

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

TK : If I did not have a dream, I would probably have lived a very meaningless life.

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

TK : Art is a mirror of the times, and if you can't capture the joys and pains of the times, you're not an artist.

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

TK : Everyone who supports me.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TK : A desperate desire.

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

TK : Prejudice. (origin, education, materials)

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

TK : In the past, offline competitions were the only way, but now I think that if the whole world is connected to SNS and my will is firm, I can announce and get a chance.

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

TK : In fact, I have a project that I have been working on for the last two years [115 KOREA FIGTERS]. This project was carried out during 2023-2024, and it is a project to honor the independent heroes who have made many sacrifices until the present Korea. Each of them was processed in the form of pop art with graphic work. Finally, I tried to homage Taegeukgi, the national flag of the Republic of Korea, to reflect on their great sacrifice, independence spirit and independence with the image of independence activists. However, it was impossible to work all independence activists alone. So I got to choose 115 heroes. You can Google [115Project] or [korea115Project]. Soon after the election of President Yoon Suk-yeol, there was an incident in which he tried to drive out the statues of the independent heroes who sacrificed for the independence of Korea and set up another statue on the spot. Currently, Korea is on the path of destruction. I couldn't hide my dismay, and that's why I was work on the project - it was so hard, so sadness. An artist must be able to capture even the pain of the times, otherwise he cannot be called an artist.

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

TK : There is no goal. I just want to be able to continue my current activities. My dream was a painter, and that dream has already come true.

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

TK : I do not know if I'm respected, but people seem to want goods rather than art.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TK : In fact, everything around us is design: the cups, pens, notes, computers, radios, pots, bookshelves, beds, furniture, curtains, patterns of curtains, mobiles, apps, emoticons, icons, and so on.Design is not something special, but living with human beings in everyday life. Design of such everyday life becomes the environment and it becomes society.

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

TK : I'm planning a small exhibition for 2026. It's for my favorite musician.

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

TK : The most unforgettable exhibition of the nine solo exhibitions so far was the second solo exhibition in 2016. It was an exhibition on the theme of healing, and the place was a cafe. I was always grateful enough to have an exhibition every time. However, one weekend, the exhibition hall was full of people. At that time, healing the wounds of the heart was a big social issue in Korean society, and the people in the exhibition hall were healing themselves by talking about their wounds in a solemn atmosphere. It was what I intended it to be, and I was so impressed and proud that it unfolded in reality, an unforgettable moment. It was a moment when I was grateful to be an artist.

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

TK : As the world becomes more comfortable, it is regrettable that the great value of human hands is gradually being ignored. I hope that machines, AI technologies, and human hands will be recognized together.

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

TK : I don't know yet.

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

TK : Usually, completed in a one week or one month.

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

TK : Thinking.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TK : Be true every moment.

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

TK : I think that trends determine the design. Trends change according to the notion of the times at that time. It seems that the design is adjusted accordingly.

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

TK : What stands out.

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

TK : I usually use my pictures taken by mobile.

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

TK : Important, I think material> color> ambient. First, it is important to find the material that fits the theme or concept, then how to lead the overall color, and how to optimally place the elements in the ambient. The material makes you think, the color makes you feel, and the ambient makes the material and color stand out, creating a complete design as a whole.

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

TK : "Why do you draw only one flower?" It's a question that no one has asked so far.

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

TK : Admiration.

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

TK : I haven't thought about it yet.

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

TK : More or less.

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

TK : I like books about life. Like Judith Gould's [Rose of Wrath].

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

TK : The material that suited me was a ballpoint pen, and I experienced constant attempts and failures, resulting in the creation of a ballpoint drawing technique called [Pleroma].

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

TK : Vincent van Gogh.

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

TK : It's very happy to be famous. But it's quite uncomfortable for everyone's eyes to be on me.

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

TK : I like blue or brown. I like to go to coffee shops and galleries. I like mainly cooked food - miso stew, kimchi stew, sun-ji-hae-jang-guk, hamburger, pizza, vegetables and so on. I like sushi among uncooked food. I like autumn and winter. My favorite brand is Seo Tae-ji. He is a musician, but the music, fashion and design he creates are attractive enough to be a living brand.

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

TK : I don't try to make the day great. it's stressful for me. Just flows on the time. Every moment is a motive for me.

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

TK : Many SF movies predicted that there would be all sorts of natural disasters on Earth, which would eventually devastate, and humans would either try to escape to another planet or be attacked by aliens.

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

TK : I don't know English well. So I used a translator for this interview. I hope my thoughts and meanings are well communicated. Thank you.