We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Woohyun Roh ("WR").
I am Woohyun Roh, a Product Design student in the Department of Design Convergence at Hongik University. I have expertise in product design and am actively engaged in design practice.
Woohyun Roh Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Woohyun Roh.
Woohyun Roh Design - Solic Incense Product
Designer Interview of Woohyun Roh:
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?
WR : At first, I joined an art academy simply because I wanted to become a designer, without having a clear direction. Then, by chance, I got to experience hands-on making, and that sparked my interest in industrial design. Especially in creating physical objects. That experience naturally led me to pursue studies in industrial design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
WR : I’m still a student, so I don’t have a company of my own yet. However, I’m currently active in a design group called HiPD at Hongik University. HiPD mainly focuses on product design, and through this group, I’ve been able to gain various experiences and grow alongside my peers.
DI: What is "design" for you?
WR : To me, design is about kindness. It’s not just about being beautiful or functional, but about approaching users with warmth. I believe kindness in design means deeply considering how the product will be used and what users genuinely need. That’s why I think design, above all, should be kind.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
WR : Since I’m still a student, most of my design work is related to class projects. That said, I’ve found the most enjoyment in working on home appliances. I found those projects particularly fun and engaging.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
WR : My favorite design is the Wall Mounted CD Player by Naoto Fukasawa. Its minimalist design blends naturally into any space, and the pull cord invites interaction through its strong sense of affordance. It’s harmonious and gentle, making you want to reach out and use it. That’s why I love it.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
WR : I haven’t had the chance to work with a company on a project yet.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
WR : My favorite material is textured plastic. Plastic is a widely accessible material that can be used across many products. Textured plastic, in particular, adds a classic, comfortable feel to the common plastic surface, which I find very appealing. As for platforms, I primarily use Rhino and KeyShot. I started using them early on and naturally became most comfortable with them. In terms of technology, I like 3D printing. Seeing an idea materialize in real life gives me the sense that my design exists beyond the virtual—it becomes real.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
WR : I feel most creative when I’m talking and working with others. I tend to speak a lot during those moments, which can lead to some unnecessary thoughts, but it’s also when my most creative ideas come out.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
WR : I focus most on whether the design aligns with the project’s purpose. Since each project has a different goal, I believe design should adapt accordingly. That’s why I always prioritize the project’s objective when designing.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
WR : I feel excitement. The process of bringing an idea to life, from ideation to development, gives me a sense of imagination and new perspective. That joy is what keeps me drawn to design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
WR : When a design is realized, I feel both relief and emotion. There’s relief in knowing it works as intended, and a sense of awe seeing it come to life before my eyes. I believe those emotions are only possible when something becomes real.
DI: What makes a design successful?
WR : Persistence. To complete a successful design, seeing it through to the end is essential. Along the way, there are always failures and difficulties that make you want to give up. But regardless of the outcome, if you push through to the end, you learn something from the process. That alone makes it a successful design in my eyes.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
WR : I first ask whether it fulfills its intended purpose. For example, when evaluating an air purifier, I consider whether any added concept truly fits the purpose of the product and blends well into the overall design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
WR : I think designers have a responsibility not to waste materials. During the design process, it’s easy to overuse materials unnecessarily. We should always use materials thoughtfully and avoid excess.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
WR : I think the design field is shifting from simplicity to more distinctive, characteristic designs. While clean and minimal styles have dominated so far, I believe we’ll begin to see more designs that carry a unique identity tailored to each product.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
WR : My last exhibition was held on the second floor of the annex building at Hongik University’s Sejong campus. It was a lighting exhibition connected to one of our courses, and I was fortunate to work alongside talented designers. I hope to hold my next exhibition around mid-September when the current project I’m working on is complete.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
WR : I usually get inspiration from viewing different works or taking walks. I believe design is closely tied to everyday life, so I try to absorb as much inspiration and creativity from my surroundings as possible.
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?
WR : I would describe my design style as function-centered. I think about the core function and try to find harmony and minimalism within the form and components. I started exploring this style because I believe the essence of design lies in the purpose of a product. Function exists to fulfill that purpose, so I focus on achieving maximum harmony and clarity with minimal elements. My approach to design is to begin from functionality and expand outward.
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?
WR : I live in Korea. I think one of Korea’s cultural values is a sense of kindness. The warmth and care that Koreans show to one another influence me to incorporate that sense of kindness into my designs.
DI: How do you work with companies?
WR : As a student, I mainly participate in company collaborations facilitated through my school.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
WR : A good designer is someone who stays aligned with the purpose of a product. Companies should look for designers who aren’t just decorating things but are creating meaningful, purposeful designs.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
WR : I start by finding inspiration from everyday life. Then I research to make sure the idea is original. This includes reading articles, academic papers, and online sources. Based on the research, I conduct interviews and surveys to clarify my design direction. Once the concept and background are set, I begin sketching and ideating using mood boards and motifs. I also develop mock-ups and 3D models in parallel to explore function and usability. I test these with myself and others to evaluate their practicality. After several iterations, I finalize the design and choose the CMF elements.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
WR : My laptop, 3D printer, iPad, paper, and pencil. I guess everything I like is related to working on design.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
WR : As a student, I attend classes during the semester. When I’m not in class, I usually work on personal projects or class assignments.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
WR : I’m still a young designer myself, so I don’t have much advice to give. But I would say this: whenever an opportunity comes your way, do your best and don’t leave any regrets.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
WR : One of my strengths is staying aligned with the design’s purpose. I try hard not to lose focus, so my designs rarely stray from the core concept. A challenge for me is that I often come up with too many ideas, which makes it hard to choose and focus. During critical moments, I need to spend extra time narrowing things down.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
WR : Always consider the user. Observe how they use the product, and test it yourself to truly understand the usage context and behavior.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
WR : I think problem-solving is the most important. No matter how well you plan, unexpected issues will arise. A good designer must find the best solution within the given constraints and still create something that meets the purpose.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
WR : I mainly use Rhino and KeyShot. For organizing presentations and collaboration, I usually use Figma.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
WR : I plan each day by setting goals and listing out tasks that match those goals. Then I prioritize the tasks and estimate how long each one might take. I try to follow the priority order but stay flexible depending on the situation, rather than being overly strict about timing.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
WR : Usually around two to three months. Product design often involves building mock-ups and refining aesthetics, so even at the fastest, it takes at least one to two months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
WR : People often ask me what kind of design I like. As a designer, I think that’s something I’ll be reflecting on for the rest of my life.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
WR : It wasn’t a job, but one of my most important experiences was designing a light fixture. I hadn’t built many working prototypes before, but this project required me to consider CMF elements and make something functional. I learned a lot through the challenges of real-world design and production.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
WR : As a student, I had the opportunity to work with MUJI on a project.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
WR : I enjoy design work that helps users. I especially like creating something that offers a slightly new solution or perspective, even if it’s based on an existing product. When I can add value in that way, it feels meaningful.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
WR : I’ll be graduating next year, and I plan to either join a design studio or continue into graduate studies. I still have a lot to learn, so I want to keep growing.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
WR : Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of team projects. I enjoy the process of developing ideas together and seeing how everyone’s input shapes the final outcome.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
WR : I’m currently working on an AI companion design for an industry-academic collaboration project. I can’t share too many details, but it involves exploring various structures and interaction methods, and it’s been really interesting.
DI: How can people contact you?
WR : You can reach me at buun1235@naver.com. I’ll try to reply as soon as possible. I welcome all kinds of inquiries and conversations.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
WR : I wish the best for everyone pursuing design. Let’s keep going with joy and a smile. Let me know if you’d like this compiled into a document or formatted for submission.