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Junsoo Choi

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Interviews med Junsoo Choi

Læs interviewene med Junsoo Choi: forstå deres filosofi, kreative proces og prisvindende arbejde.

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Designerinterview

40 spørgsmål

I started art from a very young age. While choosing a career path in high school, the final decision was design. I think that was in 1998. I went to design college in 2001 and graduated in 2008.

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 started art from a very young age. While choosing a career path in high school, the final decision was design.

I think that was in 1998. I went to design college in 2001 and graduated in 2008.

After that, I entered the design industry and have been engaged in design ever since.

Maybe it's a vocation. I've never really thought about why I should do it.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

Our studio does the very basics. The client specifies the desired direction and shapes the image. We try to come up with ideal and unique designs as much as possible without departing from the market square desired by the client.

We design from very small products to very large industrial devices.

We have offices located in Seoul, South Korea.

What is "design" for you?

This is the visual result.

Design is the entire process of visible light hitting the surface of a product, being reflected, and entering the optic nerve.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I love the product designs of Dieter Rams, Jonathan Ive, and Naoto Fukusawa.

I also like the works of Henri Matisse.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

I like product design the most, but if I had to combine all types of designs to pick one design, I would pick the design of the Porsche 911 produced in the 1986s as the best.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

I did stationery design for the first time in 2008. It was a pad that applied ink to stamp.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Aluminum / Google / Cutting and processing technology

When do you feel the most creative?

Suddenly, I feel that when I move somewhere.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

The visual effect of styling and the distribution of materials. A lot depends on the quality of the product.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

I'm happy when it's finished, but I feel a lot of fatigue and pain during the process.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

I think that it would be nice to be loved by consumers and used for a long time.

What makes a design successful?

Intensive research on product characteristics

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

A lot of attention is paid to the balance of product design. If that is satisfied, see if there is an individual aspect.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

Making the world visually more beautiful and complete?

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

I think a lot of evolution is happening very quickly. There are also concerns that artificial intelligence will automatically design in the future. But you have to work hard, right?

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

The ISPO exhibition in Germany in 2013 was the last.

Currently, I am only concentrating on design work, but if I get a chance, I would like to promote the company and go to a design fair.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

I think a lot about transportation. When studying the structure of a product, there are cases where it flows naturally.

The source of inspiration seems to be the function of the product.

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?

There is no specific style. It seems that this or that style is applied according to the needs and trends of various clients. Also, since I have to respect the individuality of my team members, my style seems to be blurring even more. I approach features first. I think styling is next.

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 live in Seoul, Korea. The cultural environment of the country in which I live may influence my design unknowingly, but I am not aware of it.

How do you work with companies?

Keeping in touch with clients and reporting on progress. Get feedback on it.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

The most important is the designer's portfolio. And I think the distribution of work intensity is important. The only way to choose a good designer is their portfolio.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

I think it's like a normal process. We conduct market research, analyze problems or strengths, define concepts, proceed with ideas, and receive confirmation after idea sketch modeling and rendering. After that, it can be said that it is preparation for CMF management and mass production.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

1. Leather sofa 2. Car 3. Lighting 4. Chair 5. Other (instrument)

Can you describe a day in your life?

yes. Wake up in the morning, take a shower, and anticipate the day's work ahead of time. Then go to work and live a busy life.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

It's okay to do it slowly, so I want to tell you to do it for a long time. And when you explode, I want to tell you to explode strongly.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

strengths : I can meet the products I designed in the world.

weaknesses : Work and daily life are not separated.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

I don't think there is a set Gold Rule.

What skills are most important for a designer?

change. visual sensitivity.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

I mainly use Rhino and Keyshot.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

I'm thinking of focusing on getting it done quickly. Even if it takes a long time, it can't be a big deal. Ultimately, the accumulation of time determines quality.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

If it's short, it takes 1 week late, and it takes 3 months.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

I'm not sure because I rarely get questions.

What was your most important job experience?

I think the most important professional experience is to go to mass production after the design is finalized.

Who are some of your clients?

They are owners of various product manufacturers.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

We are a company specializing in product design. I design most of the products such as home appliances.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Winning the A Design Award and growing a design company to the fullest. I haven't thought of the next step yet.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

We are working as a team.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

I'm designing a pen for an electronic blackboard, and I'm looking forward to it.

How can people contact you?

email : u2mjj@nate.com / phone : +82 (0)10 2902 6877

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

The questions are very broad. I want to make it this far.

Stort Interview

Jinaga Metrobilletsystem · 10 spørgsmål

It seems very inconvenient and even dangerous for people with disabilities and the elderly to enter or exit the subway by tagging their cards at the ticket gate.For those without mobility challenges, tagging a card and…

Your innovative approach to accessibility with the Jinaga Subway Pass has earned recognition with the Silver A' Design Award - could you share the journey that led to conceptualizing this contactless transit solution for people with disabilities?

It seems very inconvenient and even dangerous for people with disabilities and the elderly to enter or exit the subway by tagging their cards at the ticket gate.For those without mobility challenges, tagging a card and passing through the gate may not be an issue. However, for some individuals, this process can be cumbersome and difficult.In fact, many people with disabilities have expressed their frustration and discomfort with the system.

The Jinaga Subway Pass employs car smart key technology in a novel way - what inspired your team to adapt this particular technology for public transit accessibility, and how did you overcome the technical challenges of implementing it in subway environments?

This system can be activated by attaching an additional module to the existing ticket gate, eliminating the need for a full replacement.Additionally, all information, including subway fare calculations, is transmitted to the control room through the system.This helps prevent unauthorized rides and ensures that those in need of transportation assistance receive accurate and reliable services.

Given that the Jinaga Subway Pass is currently operational in Daejeon, South Korea, what insights have you gained from real-world user feedback, and how are these insights shaping future improvements to the system?

The system is designed for the future of subway transit.Users can pass through the ticket gate seamlessly without needing to take any action, such as tagging a card, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience.This not only saves valuable time during busy commute hours but also improves the overall quality of life by enhancing the flow of movement.

The modular design of the Jinaga Subway Pass allows for easy upgrading of existing ticket gates - could you elaborate on the design considerations that went into creating this retrofittable solution while ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure?

The turnstiles in subway stations vary in design depending on the year they were built.To ensure compatibility, the devices must collect information on the shape of the turnstiles at each station so they can seamlessly integrate with different designs.The devices are designed in a universal form to blend in with various turnstiles without looking out of place. Additionally, the design prevents confusion during installation by making it easy to distinguish the front and back, while also allowing for convenient maintenance.To further enhance usability, a recognizable light or sound has been added to indicate passage through the turnstile.

In developing the Jinaga Subway Pass, how did you balance the technical requirements of the LF/RF signal system with the need for a compact, wearable design that would be comfortable and convenient for users with disabilities?

It needed to be designed to be lightweight and compact so that users with disabilities could wear and use it with ease.A necklace-type tag was considered to accommodate users who have difficulty using their hands, allowing for more convenient access.The focus was on optimizing the detection range of LF/RF technology to ensure comfortable and effortless scanning. Additionally, since multiple RF signals can interfere with each other at subway gates, signal filtering technology was implemented to prevent malfunctions.Given the limited battery capacity of wearable devices, the goal was to maximize usability by utilizing low-power RFID or NFC technology, ensuring long-lasting operation.

The successful implementation of the Jinaga Subway Pass represents a significant advancement in public transit accessibility - what were the key partnerships and collaborations that made this innovation possible, particularly your work with Garin System?

When detecting a person carrying the device while passing through a subway gate, frequent recognition errors occurred when using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and similar technologies. As a result, we sought an alternative solution.Garin System, a smart car key manufacturer, inspired us to apply a system similar to how a smart key accurately and automatically recognizes a car owner's approach.By collaborating with Garin System, we combined advanced technology and design to develop an efficient and reliable subway Hi-Pass system.

Looking at the social impact of the Jinaga Subway Pass, how do you envision this technology evolving beyond its current focus on disability access to benefit broader segments of the population?

The system is designed for the future of subway transit.Users can pass through the ticket gate seamlessly without needing to take any action, such as tagging a card, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience.This not only saves valuable time during busy commute hours but also improves overall quality of life by enhancing the flow of movement.

The dimensional specifications of the Jinaga Subway Pass key fob (37*62.6*12mm) suggest careful consideration of ergonomics - could you discuss the user-centered design process that led to these precise measurements?

The device needed to be small enough to be easily held with one hand, and the rounded corners were designed to provide a comfortable feel. The surface finish and material (anti-slip) were selected with consideration of the hand size and strength of various users.Through a user-centered design process, the Hi-pass device, measuring 37 × 62.6 × 12 mm, was created with a balanced combination of portability, ease of use, durability, and signal sensitivity. This design ensures maximum accessibility, allowing subway users—especially those with disabilities and the elderly—to use it with ease and convenience.

With approximately 5,000 people currently using the Jinaga Subway Pass in Daejeon, what have been the most surprising or unexpected outcomes since the system's implementation in December 2022?

Since the system was implemented, there have been no issues. It is currently in its initial stages and is focused on serving people with disabilities, but it will be expanded in the future to provide convenient access for the general public as well.

As you plan to expand the Jinaga Subway Pass system throughout the Republic of Korea, what adaptations or improvements are you considering to ensure its success across different subway networks and user populations?

The subway in Korea is managed by different companies in each region. For example, large cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Daegu have different companies managing their subways.Fortunately, the fare systems of the subway gates of these different companies are all unified, so you can use the ticket card you used in Seoul in Busan.Separately from the unified fare system, when it comes to the Jinaga Pass device, each regional operator wants a unique design. Accordingly, each regional subway company is applying unique designs to meet the needs of customers for diversity. Subway users will be able to enjoy a different kind of fun by seeing the unique Jinaga Pass devices in each region.

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Designinterviewdataene vist på vores designinterviewside med designeren Junsoo Choi vedrørende værket Jinaga Metrobilletsystem kommer fra platformen Design Interviews, hvor førende designere, arkitekter og brands interviewes om deres prisvindende designs, produkter og projekter.