Inn Sun Park

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Inn Sun Park ("ISP") 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?

ISP : I studied Interaction Design at ArtCenter College of Design. I practiced various skillsets while I was attending college.

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

ISP : I've always wanted to be a designer ever since I was a child.

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

ISP : I choose to become a designer.

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

ISP : I'm working as a UX/UI designer who loves to explore and design engaging experiences for users by utilizing skills and strategies I've gained through multiple disciplines, including UX, UI, visual, motion, industrial design, and engineering.

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

ISP : Never stop learning

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

ISP : The stories behind the design

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

ISP : Good design is making something memorable. I evaluate the usability and purpose of the design.

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

ISP : Good design enhances our lives, so everyone should invest in good design to enhance people's quality of life.

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

ISP : If I had time, I would design more concept work for interesting in-house experiences for people at home most of the time due to the pandemic.

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

ISP : I like all kinds of projects, so I don't have a dream project at the moment.

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

ISP : I think there is nothing secret. Multiple practices shaped my design.

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

ISP : Jonathan Ive

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

ISP : I like the past apple product series because it's interesting to see how user interface design has developed since ten years ago by comparing current and past products.

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

ISP : I think I did some great work on the interface design with very complicated information. The simplicity aspect of this design makes me feel that it is great because it's difficult to simplify interfaces with complicated information.

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

ISP : Keep learning and broadening your vision.

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

ISP : I never thought about this, so I don't know.

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

ISP : Design is a process of creating a great product, so design is very important to me.

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

ISP : People who have provided me with some kinds of support.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

ISP : I think my positive vision of design helped me to become a great designer.

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

ISP : I can't really think of obstacles because it didn't feel like obstacles.

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

ISP : I think designers should present their work with confidence. Designers should believe in themselves. Everyone has different viewpoints, so designers should not be scared about learning these viewpoints while presenting their work.

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

ISP : Not at the moment

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

ISP : My ultimate goal as a designer is to design something memorable for people.

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

ISP : I think people will expect to see great and inspiring works from an esteemed designer.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

ISP : Good design inspires people, so it will provoke people to have positive minds. Therefore, I think design helps to create a better society.

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

ISP : I can’t share the current project that I’m working on because it’s the work for my employer, which is under NDA, but I’m excited.

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

ISP : I like all design projects that my users like. Their positive feedback gives me the most satisfaction.

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

ISP : I’m excited to see more new technologies which can enhance our quality of life.

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

ISP : The emergence of new technologies and tech-savvy users will definitely bring a new trend. I don’t know where we are heading next because I see so many unexpected great works all the time.

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

ISP : It depends on the project. Typically redesign work doesn’t take that long. However, if it’s developing a new design, it may take a long time because of validation tests.

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

ISP : I start with a brainstorming activity and generate a lot of questions.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

ISP : Never stop learning.

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

ISP : I think design sets the trends.

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

ISP : Sometimes it’s a support to make my design more fantastic, and sometimes it’s something essential to provide exciting experiences for my users.

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

ISP : I’m a UX/UI designer, so I use Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD and Protopie.

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

ISP : They are important components to finalizing the concept.

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

ISP : What’s the story behind your design? What were your challenges? How do you overcome them? What’s your vision as a designer? What is the favorite part of your design?

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

ISP : I get excited and try to examine the new great design right away.

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

ISP : I was able to come up with good work with many people, so I don’t have specific designer partners in my mind at the moment.

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

ISP : I think I gained a lot of valuable skillsets when I was at college, so my college experience influenced me a lot.

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

ISP : Design Everyday Things & The Law of UX

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

ISP : I gradually develop my skills by working hard on my projects. My goal is to create my best work, so this mindset helps me become a master.

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

ISP : There are so many, so I can’t just pick one, but I want to meet Walter Gropius, the founder of Bauhaus, and discuss his philosophy about design.

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

ISP : I think so because there are many great designers out there.

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

ISP : My favorite season is spring and winter. I like Apple and Moleskin products. I like fun places.

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

ISP : It was funny when a little child found a design solution that adults couldn’t figure out.

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

ISP : I get motivated whenever I’m with the screen. I think insightful findings make my day great as a designer.

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

ISP : I don’t remember, but I always wanted to become a great designer.

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

ISP : I think we will have lots of interesting technologies and products. I don’t know what will happen in thousand years from now because that’s too far away.

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

ISP : I think you covered everything!