We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jong Chan Kim ("JCK").
I am Jong Chan Kim and I usually go by JC Kim. I am from South Korea and now I am studying product design at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I came to San Francisco for studying industrial design. I think San Francisco is a good place to study. There are many design studios, design company so there are many opportunity. I plan to graduate this summer on 2016. And I am currently working as a intern in design studio. I believe that experience is the best teacher. All the experience I went through makes me better person than me of yesterday.
Jong Chan Kim Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jong Chan Kim.
Designer Interview of Jong Chan Kim:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
JCK : I major in product design at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Since I was young, I always have a curiosity to the relationship between products and people's lives. Good design can enhance the quality of lives and provides the better experience to users. That led me to industrial design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JCK : Nosh identify with our clients as individuals, creating lasting impressions between their products and the consumer. Innovating through strategic thinking, we produce tangible ideas that translates masterfully into the physical.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JCK : Innovation.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JCK : Lifestyle products
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JCK : I like my headphone a lot which is Bang and Olufsen H6. Because foam looks pure but there are many delicate details.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JCK : I do not have the particular one.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JCK : I think morning and night. Because in the morning, I refresh my mind and at night I can organize my thoughts.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JCK : Ideation.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JCK : I am usually absorbed in work.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JCK : Exciting.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JCK : Concentration.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JCK : I think the important thing is retaining objectivity.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JCK : We have been focusing how to make it, but we need to think how to contribute to the preservation of the environment.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JCK : I presented my project in Braunprize on last year.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JCK : I usually get many idea and inspiration in my life.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
JCK : I do not have yet. I am exploring now.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
JCK : I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea and now I am living in San Francisco, USA. I feel San Francisco has variety cultures and people. Mixed culture and lifestyles provide me many thought in good ways.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JCK : I put most of the time for ideation, and after I have various concepts, I do 3D modeling and develop them.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JCK : Fuji x pro1, Bang and Olufsen H6, Hario coffee dripper, iphone, and 8000 Sunglasses.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JCK : I think the most important thing is having good eyes. Observe good design and think what makes it good design. This practice helps a lot.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JCK : I think negative, and positive aspects of designer' life are unpredictable. It can be good or bad.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JCK : I always keep Dieter Rams' ten design principles in mind
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JCK : Visual communication.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JCK : Photoshop, Illustrator, Rhino, Alias, Solidworks, Keyshot and Vray.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JCK : I am always using the calendar and divide time individually.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JCK : It depends on projects.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JCK : I asked myself this question a lot. "Did I put enough effort into the works?"
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JCK : I like to design products that relate our life because these can affect our lives easily.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JCK : Be the product designer.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JCK : I am working at Nosh studio in San Francisco.
DI: How can people contact you?
JCK : JCKIM.design@gmail.com