Today we’d like to introduce you to Jong Hee Jung.
Hi Jong Hee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Seoul, Korea, and grew up like any other Korean child, receiving a typical Korean education. However, my life took a turn when I moved to New Zealand at the age of 9. I resided in the rural north part of New Zealand, in Warkworth, where only three Korean families lived. I stayed there until I graduated from primary school, during which time I believe my mind opened up, providing various opportunities to broaden my perspective on culture and society.
In late 2007, I returned to Korea, entered middle school, wearing the typical Korean student uniform, and received private education outside of school. However, perhaps because I had become accustomed to the autonomous atmosphere of New Zealand education, I struggled during this time, feeling that the Korean education system did not align with my personality.
Despite the challenges, as I entered adolescence, I developed a keen interest in aesthetics, particularly makeup. This interest turned into a hobby, and I began carrying a makeup box and brushes to school, where I started doing makeup for friends. It was during this period that I aspired to pursue a path as a makeup artist or to get into the makeup industry.
My middle school experience wasn’t particularly enjoyable. While I had good relationships with classmates, the competitive atmosphere in Korea, the intense focus on academic performance, university entrance exam preparations, and various school rules didn’t resonate with me. Looking back, my experience in New Zealand may have played a role. Fortunately, I was able to graduate successfully with the guidance of a supportive teacher.
I entered a private girls’ high school but eventually chose to drop out and pave my own path. With more time on my hands, I naturally began exploring my future. During this period, there was considerable debate and opposition from my parents regarding my decision to pursue a makeup degree.
During this time, I recalled my memory from my third year of middle school, when I received a recommendation from my teacher to participate in an art competition as the school’s representative. My teacher kept mentioning that he saw my artistic talent, of which I was unaware.
As a result of that experience, I decided to attend an art academy. Thus, my encounter with art, though coincidental, became an incredibly enjoyable and intriguing field of study for me. However, the art education system in Korea, which focused more on technical and skill aspects than creativity, differed from what I desired. Having lived in New Zealand, the desire for continued education abroad grew stronger, and I made up my mind to pursue university studies in the United States, specifically in New York, renowned as the center of graphic design.
One of the reasons for choosing graphic design was my innate curiosity about diverse subjects. Once I developed an interest, whether it turned into a hobby or deepened into a subject of study, I believed that choosing this major would offer me a lot to learn. Additionally, as someone still deeply interested in the either makeup or any other industries, I thought this major would allow me to leverage my skills effectively, including branding, uiux, color, advertising, etc.
Reflecting on my journey after completing a Bachelor’s in Communication Design at Parsons, I found myself shifting from branding, graphics, and pure art to a more technical and digital aspect. I became more interested in the UX aspects of design, focusing on how design itself can solve user problems rather than just being aesthetically pleasing. Thanks to coding classes I took in school, my interest in coding also grew. After graduating from Parsons, I appreciate evolving not just as a designer with a specific skill set but as someone who can brainstorm in various ways, solve problems that people face, and design from a wide range of perspectives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, you probably already know that the road wasn’t smooth at all based on the story mentioned above. I guess my path may still be bumpy even today, and sometimes, it could get chaotic when I least expect it. However, now I understand that whether it’s challenging, tough, or smooth, it will help me flourish as both a designer and a person. There isn’t an easy path anyway, so I try to enjoy it, just like the Nike slogan, ‘Just Do It.’
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my ongoing contemplation between what is better in terms of being a generalist or specialist designer, I hold a personal belief that design is inherently interconnected, forming a unified organism rather than being separable. Even when you track back through history, design has always been comprehensive.
In terms of this perspective, I try to approach design with the perspective of a child. What I mean is that when observing children, they naturally engage with everything, constantly grasping and understanding expanding experiences/perspectives. This pursuit of ‘understanding and integration’ seems to be a definitive design process. In a broader sense, I aspire to be a designer who comprehends and integrates everything. The reason I bring up this narrative first is that I am currently working as a UIUX Designer and Creative Director.
I am currently working as a UIUX designer in a startup and a creative director & graphic designer in a Korean tableware brand, utilizing my learnings and growth as a designer while understanding how to manage the brand, solve problems, plan strategically, and analyze trends and markets. My specialization lies in creative art direction, branding, digital development, and product design.
When designing, I always keep in mind the mindset a designer should have, focusing on creating ‘valuable’ designs. While graphic design and UI/UX/Product design may seem like different fields, based on my career experience, from the perspective of delivering what the customer wants, I believe it follows the same path.
One reason I appreciate UI/UX design is the desire to understand people, highlighting the crucial difference between graphic design and UX design more in-depth. UX design involves a shift from specialization to multiplicity, requiring a broad range of knowledge. The process-driven nature of UX design, emphasizing problem-solving and user research, improves overall design processes (even graphic design!). Importantly, UX design goes beyond the canvas to reach real-life experiences that change the way we do everyday things. Learning UX design is an opportunity for graphic designers to expand their skills, as the most in-demand designers today provide amazing experiences. As a UI/UX designer, I create solutions addressing both customer problems and business challenges, prioritizing resolutions for every issue customers encounter.
I also love to paint and make installations a lot, which always gives me motivation and inspiration.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My ultimate goal is to be a designer entrepreneur in the makeup industry or probably work as a uiux designer or graphic designer. I guess right now, I’m still in the phase of exploring myself and studying myself. I may settle down in the UI/UX field or graphic design field or do something else; you never know! Life is uncertain, but on the other hand, that is the fun part of living life. Having the opportunity to work in these two different but ‘similar’ fields, I’ve learned that breaking free from the notion that design is confined to the realm of art is essential. The starting point of design lies in planning, defining problems, structuring ideas for resolution, and visualizing them. I believe that every designer is a plan maker, analyzing trends, tendencies, and prospects, incorporating their own design philosophy to make people’s lives easier and more beautiful. That’s why I love working as a designer. Designers have the ability to make the world a better world!
Contact Info:
- Website: jonghee-design.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jongheeeee__v/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjh-33b229218/
