JUYOUNG HWANG

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer JUYOUNG HWANG ("JH") 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?

JH : With a degree in environment design, Hwang has long been immersed in transforming emotions and everyday moments into visual narratives. His approach likens design to cooking—starting with a fresh idea as the main ingredient, refining it through technical tools, and finally presenting it with emotional resonance.

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

JH : His design philosophy centers on communication—conveying messages that strike a deep emotional chord. Through his work, he seeks to translate intangible feelings into visuals that transcend language and culture.

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

JH : Design wasn't a retreat, but a deliberate decision. Design became the most intuitive language for conveying inner thoughts and emotions, and it guided my creative direction.

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

JH : His current work focuses on emotionally driven graphic design—particularly posters that carry strong narratives. Looking ahead, he aims to explore projects that fuse philosophy with empathy and accessibility, making complex ideas more relatable through visual storytelling.

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

JH : Hwang emphasizes the importance of thinking before creating. He believes young designers should focus less on trendy aesthetics and more on purpose and message. Developing a clear point of view and understanding the social context of their work are, in his view, essential for building lasting impact.

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

JH : To him, a good designer has skill, but a great designer has something to say. Greatness lies not just in how a work looks, but in its capacity to resonate, challenge, and endure. Emotional honesty and philosophical clarity set apart the remarkable from the competent.

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

JH : A truly good design, Hwang explains, addresses both function and emotion. It should solve a problem, convey a story, and stay memorable over time. He also values simplicity that hides complexity and visuals that invite interpretation.

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

JH : Design, in his view, is not decoration but dialogue. Good design can bridge differences, evoke empathy, and inspire action. Its value lies in its ability to improve experiences, shape behaviors, and foster understanding across cultures.

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

JH : If time and resources permitted, Hwang would like to design for marginalized communities—particularly projects aimed at accessibility, healing, and education. He dreams of creating visual systems that empower people in vulnerable situations.

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

JH : Hwang is considering ways to expand this project in the future. He aims to convert the artwork into 3D and make it interactive through an application. This will allow viewers to share even more powerful emotions.

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

JH : According to Hwang, consistency is key. His approach includes immersing deeply in the subject matter and finding emotional relevance before even touching a design tool. He also cites the ability to embrace solitude and think slowly as his personal secret ingredients.

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

JH : He draws inspiration from a wide range of figures, from design theorist Victor Papanek to contemporary thinkers like Jordan Peterson and SSendhil Mullainathan. He particularly admires designers who strike a fine balance between form and philosophy.

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

JH : His favorite pieces are those that seem simple yet deeply impactful, such as Victor Papanek's Tin Can Radio and Alessandro Mendini's Anna G. He values works that engage the viewer both emotionally and intellectually.

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

JH : There's no single representative artwork. Each work displays a different aspect. The important thing is that each work accurately conveys its message.

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

JH : To improve as a designer, Hwang stresses the importance of writing. Articulating one’s thoughts in words clarifies design intention. He also suggests observing daily life closely and questioning everything.

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

JH : Had he not chosen design, he might have become a writer or a teacher—roles that, like design, involve communication, clarity, and empathy. He also learns a lot from the innocence and simplicity of the children he teaches.

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

JH : Design is a "philosophical narrative of simplicity." It's a way to question the world, reframe existing assumptions, and articulate alternative perspectives.

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

JH : His mother's unwavering dedication and faith provided the driving force to overcome obstacles. He attributes his growth to mentors and peers who offered critique rather than comfort. Honest feedback, more than praise, helped him refine his path.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JH : Persistence and reflection. He views failure as a learning engine and believes mastery comes not from talent but from sustained curiosity and grit.

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

JH : The biggest obstacles are self-doubt and the pressure of being swayed by trends. As a designer, the true turning point lies in trusting your intuition and constantly reflecting on design thinking.

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

JH : Hwang believes designers should present their work like authors present a story—with context, emotion, and clarity. A good presentation doesn't just show visuals but conveys the “why” behind each decision.

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

JH : His upcoming project revolves around social empathy—particularly focusing on visual accessibility in public communications. The aim is to create emotionally intelligent design systems for public good.

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

JH : Hwang's long-term goal is to build a platform that connects design, philosophy, education, and mental health. He envisions a studio that pursues joy through design thinking.

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

JH : He believes audiences expect integrity, originality, and social consciousness from recognized designers. Therefore, he strives to balance artistic freedom with civic responsibility.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JH : For Hwang, design is a medium of care. It can nurture empathy, bridge gaps, and visualize silent voices. Thoughtful design contributes to a more inclusive and emotionally aware society.

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

JH : Currently, he is designing a multi-sensory exhibition that explores “solitude in the digital age.” The challenge lies in making isolation feel both relatable and visually poetic.

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

JH : One of his most fulfilling experiences was working with youth mental health organizations to design identity systems that reduced stigma and opened dialogue.

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

JH : He hopes to see more designers trained in philosophy, sociology, and ethics. Design education, he argues, should go beyond software and into humanistic thinking.

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

JH : Hwang predicts design will evolve into a more interdisciplinary and emotionally aware discipline, blending data science, psychology, and narrative.

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

JH : The time needed varies by complexity, but most projects take about 3 to 6 weeks. However, conceptualization may take much longer, depending on the emotional depth required.

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

JH : Every new project begins with questions, not answers. Hwang starts by asking, “Why does this need to exist?” and “Who does this truly serve?”

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JH : "Design simply, think deeply." He values simple processes and careful reflection.

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

JH : He believes truly meaningful design creates trends, not the other way around. It sets a new rhythm rather than following existing beats.

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

JH : Technology, for Hwang, is a tool—not a goal. It should enable emotion and enhance meaning, not overshadow them.

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

JH : Hwang utilizes a variety of design software, including image graphics, video editing, and modeling. However, However, he emphasizes that the choice of software should align with the story being told. Analog tools like pencil sketches and clay models are often used during conceptual phases.

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

JH : To Hwang, color sets the emotional tone, material defines tactility, and ambient creates atmosphere. These three elements must harmonize to form a coherent sensory narrative.

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

JH : Rather than being asked “how it was made,” Hwang hopes people will ask “why it was made.” He believes the value of design lies in its intention and emotional impact.

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

JH : Upon encountering a great design, his first thoughts are often, “How did they solve the problem so simply?” or “What kind of effort was put into the design process?”

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

JH : Hwang values co-design deeply. He ideally collaborates with designers who are emotionally intelligent, humble, and have a deep understanding of human behavior based on insightful social issues.

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

JH : Among many, mentors from his academic years and community organizers in social design fields have left a strong imprint on his practice.

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

JH : Humanities and classic books offer much inspiration and insight. Michael Sandel's "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" and Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull a story" have been significant influences.

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

JH : He improved his skills through deliberate practice, peer feedback, and a habit of “learning from every failed design.”

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

JH : If possible, he would converse with Leonardo da Vinci to explore the intersection of science, philosophy, and aesthetics.

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

JH : He regards fame as a byproduct, not a goal. While grateful, he often reminds himself to return to the quiet joy of creating.

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

JH : His favorite color is orange, favorite place is a quiet spaces, favorite food is pizza. His favorite season is fall, favorite season is fall, favorite objects are pencils and liners, and favorite hobbies are watching movies and reading.

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

JH : His favorite color is orange, favorite place is a quiet space, favorite food is pizza. His favorite season is fall, favorite objects are pencils and liners, and favorite hobbies are watching movies and reading.

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

JH : A great design day begins with observation. He believes that ideas come from a walk in the park or a line in the newspaper before work.

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

JH : As a child, he loved to draw and share his creations with his friends. This curiosity and experimental spirit foreshadowed his future as a designer.

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

JH : He envisions a future where design is not merely visual but multi-sensory and therapeutic—responding to both societal and emotional needs.

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

JH : He hopes his design speaks where words fail—and that people find not just meaning, but warmth and memory within it.