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Interview with Do Kyung Lee |
Home > Designer Interviews > Do Kyung Lee |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Do Kyung Lee (DKL) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Do Kyung Lee 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?
DKL: I've always wanted to be an illustator. When I was young, my mother read me a variety of fairytales, and I thought I wanted to be a person who painted such wonderful illustration someday.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DKL: After graduating from college, I'm in the beginning stage as a freelance illustrator. I still need a lot of experience, and I'm working on my own style.
FS: What is "design" for you?
DKL: To make me happy and to reinterpret ordinary things.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DKL: I like every piece of work that can bring peace to my mind.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DKL: I do love the lyrical style of Irene Haas's <A Summertime Song>.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DKL: Recently, I'm working with a fabric company to produce products.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DKL: There are a variety of graphics tools, but I think hand drawing is the best and most efficient way to express the ideas that are still in my head. I usually use colored pencils, but I recently tried various materials with the sponsorship of acrylic company.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
DKL: The most important time to concentrate is at dawn. As I listen to music, I organize my thoughts in my notebooks. It is also helpful to see various exhibitions when ideas are not coming up well.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DKL: Focus on the overall atmosphere. I try to match the feeling that I originally wanted to express with the result as much as possible.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DKL: Usually I'm happy, but sometimes I get nervous when I need to concentrate.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DKL: I’m satisfied with the work finished.
FS: What makes a design successful?
DKL: Naturalness and Sincerity.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DKL: It is the same as the above. naturalness and sincerity.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DKL: I think design can have a good influence on our society.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DKL: Any kind of design will be essential in every area of development.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
DKL: I participated in the illustration fair held at COEX in Seoul in 2018. I displayed my paintings and sold postcards.This year, a group exhibition is scheduled for May at a small gallery cafe.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DKL: It may sound corny, but nature is the source of inspiration. Colors and smells that vary with season are very natural, but they are very precious at the same time. I try to find fun hiding not only in nature but also in ordinary things.
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?
DKL: I like to imagine fantasy experiences and interesting secrets that imagine in ordinary things. It develops interesting stories that pop up into ideas.
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?
DKL: I live in Bucheon, Korea. There is a cartoon museum near my house, so I often go to see it. Also, I think the ancient Korean palaces' rich and natural beauty influenced my painting style a little.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
DKL: It's important to communicate exactly why and what you want to design.Many designers display their portfolios online in a variety of ways. Companies will be able to check their portfolios whenever they want.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DKL: Ideas, search, and sketches and final work.Sometimes i skip and jump through all of these processes.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
DKL: - A small size Julien plaster figure-Top lighting-Laptop-Different kinds of fairytales.-Given Orgel
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
DKL: It's very normal. I meet my friends and go to the exhibition or think of ideas at a nice cafe.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DKL: it's important that you feel fun and happy.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
DKL: Whenever I think about creating my own world, I feel great happiness. Sometimes proper lighting is very important because your eyes can get tired soon.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DKL: Keep it steady and keep it true.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
DKL: Creativity and endurance
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DKL: There are always colored pencils and paper around me. I often read books and postcards I bought at the exhibition, and fairy tales that I love on my desk.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DKL: Once I start, I stay up all night working until I done. I try to fall asleep at a certain time to break this habit.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DKL: It's very diverse. Sometimes it takes more than two weeks to finish.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DKL: I often hear the question 'Where did you get the idea?'
FS: What was your most important job experience?
DKL: As I started uploading my works on Instagram, I had a chance to display them for the first time. It was a very valuable experience, and it made me dream of being an illustrator at the time when I was a college student.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
DKL: Everyone who loves illustration.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DKL: It is good to see the big picture on the wall at the exhibition, but I love to read fairy tales. Because it is easily accessible and empathizes with the writing and painting.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DKL: I would like to participate in exhibitions or art fairs and if possible, I would like to publish a fairy tale book within this year.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DKL: I usually work alone, but I also like to work together.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
DKL: I'm going to develop the 'Misty Little Forest' series.
FS: How can people contact you?
DKL: You can visit my instagram ( www.instagram.com/dokyung.leee ).
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
DKL: No, thank you.
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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