Seuk Hoon Kim

Specialized in Interior Design.

Seuk Hoon Kim

About Seuk Hoon Kim

Seuk Hoon Kim received his Bachelor of Science degree(Cum Laude) in Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea and also received his Master of Architecture degree in Columbia University GSAPP of New York, USA as the recipient of Lucille Smyser Lowenfish Memorial Prize. He is also a Ph.D. Candidate at Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. His experience range from Korea's two major interior architecture companies, Heehoon D&G and Ridge P&C, as well as SHoP Architects in New York; most recently as Senior Design Manager of Studio GAIA in New York and as Creative Director of Studio GAIA Seoul. He is currently Founder of Studio Eccentric of Seoul. Seuk Hoon is USGBC LEED Accredited Professional(LEED AP), Professional Member of International Interior Design Association(IIDA), Professional Member of Korean Society of Interior Architects/Designers(KOSID) and Professional Member of Korean Institute of Interior Design(KIID). He is also currently Assistant Professor of Interior Architecture Design, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. He is also the author of two books, 'The Key to Make Everything Look Better, Space Design' (2015) and 'Designer’s Pro, Architecture Interior Design' (2014).

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Interior Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Interior
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Interview with Seuk Hoon Kim

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?
I have started off my dreaming to be a sculptor when I was little, and wanted to study into that career. It was because I was interested in 3 dimensional objects. This thinking developed further more which I wanted to become an architect, specially focused in interior design where I can shape a space close with people.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
New York and Seoul based award winning studio, seukhoonkim, integrates and collaborates various disciplines of design, wide range from space design such as architecture and interior design to design branding, marketing, and styling.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Amore Pacific Headquarters by David Chipperfield. The space tells it all.
When do you feel the most creative?
As how all my accumulated thoughts are developed to find a new idea.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
The main concept and how details will be developed in order to fulfill the best in construction.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Feels fascinating to see how my ideas in my head is now in front of my eyes.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
It is getting broader more and more. Many different styles will flourish all together.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Last exhibition was in Tokyo for IFFT. Next exhibition will IFFT as well in Tokyo in May.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Everyday, everything is my source of inspirations. I try to see things that are usual in an unusual way.
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?
I used to live in New York and now in Seoul. Different cities and different culture really influence my design.
How do you work with companies?
I work very closely and try to communicate with all the aspects that can shape the design.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Find the right style that will go well with the company and to communicate.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
From investigating fully of the surroundings and the environment of the space, I try to add up the culture in the area and to fully elevate the positive aspect of the space.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Dream big and experience the world when you have time. Really traveling is worth for having experience for your career as a designer.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Expressing what I think is the most positive aspect of being a designer. It's hard to find the right relationship with clients will be the negative.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
The floor plan needs to be perfect in order to fulfill the space.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
From hand sketch to rhino, 3ds max, photoshop, lightroom, indesign.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
It needs to well thought out, determining every hour what to do and to accomplish that.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Depends on what project it is, but G House took about 6 months from design to construction. Bigger projects tend to get longer than that as new development projects can get to 2 to 3 years.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Hospitality projects. It's fascinating to see people how they enjoy in the space.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Along with seukhoonkim, I have been appointed as Partner and Creative Director of Studio GAIA Seoul this 2017. At Studio GAIA, I have been designing numerous fantastic hospitality projects, and now we are aiming for Asia market.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I usually develop the design on my own, and my team develops it and and details it out. I am always open for collaborations with other artists and designers as well.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
As the Creative Director of Studio GAIA Seoul, there are some hotel projects coming up in Washington D.C., USA; Santiago, Chile; Incheon, Republic of Korea; and Turks and Caicos Island.

Designer of the Day Interview with Seuk Hoon Kim

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
This year is my eleventh year of my career in the design industry. I'm currently the Director of seukhoonkim which is based in Seoul, Republic of Korea and New York, USA. Before that, I've earned my experience in Heehoon D&G and Ridge P&C of Seoul, Korea and SHoP Architects of New York; most recently as Senior Design Manager of Studio GAIA New York. I'm also currently the Creative Director of Studio GAIA Seoul for Asia and Pacific markets.
How did you become a designer?
I've dreamed myself as a sculptor when I was little and started to think of three-dimensional objects. That idea and dream developed and started to think of the environment around me and my interest started to focus on Architecture and Interior Design.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Both technique and style are very important priorities as I do my design. Each needs to be balanced one another. The concept of the design is important to start off with as it's the main key point in the overall design. Configuring the right plans will lead the way of the design, and the construction detail is crucial in order to shape the design in real life.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Through many process and investigations, the moment of finding the right concept makes me very excited and happy.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Hard working will be the particular aspect of me. I try my best all the time in every parts in order to make shape of myself.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I really want to be a good designer. Especially since I'm back to my home town, Seoul, after long life in New York, I really want to be a designer who can promote as a representative of my country, Republic of Korea.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
I cannot say I'm a successful designer yet, but definitely it is worth to make a good relationship with your employees your fellows and other designers.
What is your day to day look like?
I start my day with corresponding with my New York office through emails. With the discussion made earlier, I start working on the design works that need to be done. Some times sketches or even 3d rendering works and drawings to support my design.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I go through lots of websites showing new projects. That really helps me a lot.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
When I'm satisfied, and there's no more chance that I need to think more on the design.
What is your biggest design work?
Few weeks ago, as I'm the Creative Director of Studio GAIA Seoul as well, I've opened a new W Hotel in Panama City, Panama. As influenced by the Panama culture spirit, it will be definite place to go to.
Who is your favourite designer?
Nowadays, I love David Chipperfield's work. Simple, but powerful and the dominant of his spaces influence me a lot. Also, Neri & Hu's designs are my favorite as well. Their strong identity in the spaces really shocks me every time.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I love to experience culture in different cities and different countries. As by influenced from them, those thoughts help me a lot when designing my spaces.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I try to handle much as I can of the work load, so that my design can be expressed fully what I think as of. From sketches to drawings and to 3d renderings, I try to take care of much as I can in order to make sure my ideas come out to real life as close as possible.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
As a Korean designer, I really will like to promote Korean culture through design to foreign countries and international market.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
It was great to promote my project and let others enjoy what idea I have constructed. It was fascinating moment to see to exchange ideas and interactions through project.

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