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Interview with Ji Eun Jang |
Home > Designer Interviews > Ji Eun Jang |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Ji Eun Jang (JEJ) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Ji Eun Jang by clicking here.
FS: 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?
JEJ: Since 2004, I’ve worked in government agencies, the TV industry, ad agencies, and magazine publications as their graphic and web designer. With an emphasis in graphics, videography, photography and web design, I have experienced all aspects of what makes strong marketing sense and how to realize conceptual ideas.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JEJ: I am currently working at the City of Los Angeles, and I enjoy working for government agencies.
FS: What is "design" for you?
JEJ: Communication through visual art
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JEJ: Layout and print designs
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JEJ: Through my work, I’ve achieved widespread visibility and improved city/government public perception. My graphic artwork has primarily targeted an audience and company vision, so I have an impeccable sense for marketing and actualizing my company's ideas.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JEJ: It was a public announcement poster that shows Election Day.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JEJ: Websites, because it is a good way to showcase a lot of information in a seamless platform.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
JEJ: Whenever I work by myself in a large space with music in the background.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JEJ: I do your research by observing subjects in real consumer situations and I develop the empathy and insight needed to fuel my design process. Then create authentic prototypes.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JEJ: I feel enthusiasm and passion whenever I design because I enjoy what I do.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JEJ: I feel great satisfaction and fulfillment whenever I see my designs produced and showcased.
FS: What makes a design successful?
JEJ: Graphic design is art for hire. It isn't personal, so successful design should always meet the needs of the clients' best needs.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JEJ: Which ever is fine because evert human have all different opinion and perspective. That is a daily basis for graphic designer. But If they are judging a design as good first and I will listen as advise to revise the product when they are saying bad later.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JEJ: I believe a designer's role in society is to communicate ideas and marketing strategies in a sustainable manner that is both consumer-friendly and visually pleasing. This means helping businesses actualize their goals through visual mediums but also recommending environmentally and socially friendly ideas that help cut costs and maximize utility.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JEJ: There is a surge in minimalism in today's design philosophies. Less is more, either with the visual aesthetic or with production engineering. There are less and less parts in physical design, and layout designs are becoming more seamless and integrated as part of a larger whole design. Also, 3-D printing is taking hold of production of materials and structures, so it would be interesting to see how design adapts to this new technology.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JEJ: May 2017, when my bus shelter PSAs were showcased all around the city of Los Angeles. I want to have my next exhibition in 2019.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JEJ: In the process, I have learned to adapt to my diverse and ever-changing surroundings and have always worked with proactive design teams that provide inspiration, motivation, and great collaboration.
FS: 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?
JEJ: My design style incorporates a lot of solid vectors that I create myself. I practiced creating vectors because it is a huge trend in graphic design. The main characteristics of my style are solid shapes that visually flow depending on the medium. With every project, I approach my design by putting my client's need above all else. My design is guided by identifying their requirements and the audience.
FS: 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?
JEJ: I live in Los Angeles, CA in the United States where a melting pot of cultures meet. There is a bustling art and street art scene, and the cities' graffiti murals, installation art, and the colors of the city inspire my designs.
FS: How do you work with companies?
JEJ: Primarily their graphic and web designer, I am there to help companies produce aesthetic products that help them reach their visual goals.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JEJ: Give your designer concrete guidelines and directions. When these expectations are set, it makes both the client's and designer's lives a lot easier. Companies can select good designers based on what they want to accomplish. They need to research which designers can deliver goods based on their requirements.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JEJ: I brainstorm and gather as much information as I can the with parties involved, creating mockups, building up on the design, then refining the design, and finally putting the design into production.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
JEJ: Wake up, go to work, make coffee, say hello to my colleagues, get inspired, get to work.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JEJ: Prospective designers should learn how to observe trends to be always one step ahead, and they need to define their audience in order to help influence their designs. A design may be beautiful, but if it doesn't attract the attention of the specific audience you are trying to reach, then the project is effectively a failure.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JEJ: Client and other people have different ideas how things should look so I have to compromise to meet their need.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JEJ: Think like your client.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
JEJ: Conceptualizing ideas on a whim.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JEJ: Illustrator, Photoshop, Premier, After effect
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JEJ: I create a timeline and set deadlines for myself to complete.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JEJ: It all depends on the project as a collaboration.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JEJ: "Did you make this?" or "Can you make this?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
JEJ: Working for the City of Los Angeles.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
JEJ: Local and franchise restaurants, technology start up businesses, cosmetic companies, etc.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JEJ: I enjoy creating Public Service Announcements (PSA) because I feel enthusiasm and fulfillment when I see my designs in the public as it creates a better image of my city.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JEJ: Since I work for the City of Los Angeles, I want to create and contribute more of my efforts and work to my city government.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JEJ: I do both. I work with a team for my full-time job, and I work by myself for my freelancing.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JEJ: No.
FS: How can people contact you?
JEJ: By email (jidesigner@gmail.com) or by phone (213-505-8805)
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
JEJ: I design products that are beautiful, practical, and functional.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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