Interview with Chiwon Lee

I have always been mesmerized by design and the impact that good design has since I was young. I decided to become a designer when I was studying Computer Science at Columbia University. I wanted to work in the field of technology because of the innovation factor and the scalable impact technology has, but I learned that software engineering was not my calling. Albeit gaining good grades, I couldn’t envision myself coding for the rest of my life. As I still believed in tech, I attended many tech-related conferences, and fell in love with User Experience (UX) design and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) the moment I learned about it. UX design and HCI seemed like the perfect marriage between logic and empathy. After learning about UX design and HCI, I transferred to Yonsei University to study UX design as Columbia University didn’t offer a major in UX and HCI, and I couldn’t be happier about my choice.

I chose to become a designer as I love the logic, creativity, innovation, and empathy that design holds.

I mainly design for AI software products as I enjoy solving complex and technical problems through design. I have been recently working on Generative AI features and I wish to do more of Generative AI software design as I believe there are many design challenges to address to ensure that Generative AI software benefits the end users.

I believe a great designer designs for the society and mentors young or upcoming designers. I believe great design comes with collaboration, and it is always helpful to collaborate with young or upcoming designers.

I believe a good design transcends functionality and aesthetics to create a seamless and meaningful user experience. It prioritizes the needs, behaviors, and emotions of users, delivering intuitive and innovative solutions that simplify their lives. Exceptional design also fosters an emotional connection, evokes positive emotions, and considers sustainability and ethical impacts, ensuring relevance and delight over time.

The value of good design lies in its ability to enhance user experience, drive innovation, and differentiate products in a competitive market. Good design not only solves problems effectively but also creates emotional connections, fostering loyalty and trust. Investing in good design leads to better usability, increased customer satisfaction, and ultimately, greater business success by ensuring products and services are both functional and delightful to use.

My secret recipe for success in design is a blend of empathy, continuous learning, and collaboration. The secret ingredient is empathy—truly understanding and connecting with users' needs, emotions, and behaviors. This deep understanding guides every design decision, ensuring that the final product is both functional and meaningful. Combined with a commitment to learning and working closely with a diverse team, empathy enables the creation of innovative and impactful designs.

To become a better designer, people should cultivate empathy, embrace continuous learning, and actively seek diverse experiences. I focused on understanding users deeply by engaging with them and listening to their needs. I also stayed curious, keeping up with industry trends and constantly experimenting with new ideas and techniques. Collaborating with a wide range of professionals helped me gain different perspectives, fostering a holistic approach to design. By prioritizing these practices, anyone can enhance their design skills and create more impactful work.

Designers should present their work clearly and compellingly, highlighting the problem-solving process and the impact of their solutions. They should use a narrative that explains the context, challenges, and insights gained from user research. Visual aids, such as prototypes, sketches, and interactive demonstrations, can effectively showcase the design's functionality and aesthetics. Additionally, emphasizing user feedback and iterations helps to demonstrate the design's development and refinement. Ultimately, the presentation should convey not only the design's features but also its value and relevance to the users and stakeholders.

My ultimate goal as a designer is to create meaningful and impactful experiences that improve people's lives. I strive to design solutions that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also intuitive and emotionally resonant. By deeply understanding users' needs and behaviors, I aim to innovate and push the boundaries of what design can achieve, contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable, and user-centered world.

Design helps create a better society by addressing real-world problems, fostering inclusivity, and promoting sustainability. Thoughtful design can improve accessibility, making products and services usable for people of all abilities. It can also drive social change by creating solutions that enhance quality of life, from healthcare innovations to educational tools. Furthermore, sustainable design practices reduce environmental impact, contributing to a healthier planet. By prioritizing human-centered and responsible design, we can build a more equitable, connected, and sustainable society.

In the coming years, I'd like to see the design industry embrace greater diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that voices from all backgrounds are represented and considered in the design process. Additionally, I hope for a stronger emphasis on sustainability, with designers prioritizing eco-friendly materials and practices to mitigate environmental impact. Finally, I would like to see more interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from various fields to create more innovative and holistic solutions that address complex global challenges.

The design field is heading towards greater integration with advanced technologies like AI, augmented reality, and virtual reality, creating more immersive and personalized user experiences. There will be a stronger focus on sustainability, with designers adopting eco-friendly practices and materials to address environmental concerns. Additionally, design will become more inclusive and human-centered, emphasizing diversity and accessibility to ensure that products and services cater to a broader range of users.

When I have a new design project, I start with understanding the problem and the users. This involves conducting thorough research to gather insights about user needs, behaviors, and pain points. I then define clear objectives and constraints for the project. Engaging with stakeholders to understand their perspectives and requirements is also crucial. With this foundation, I move on to brainstorming and ideation, exploring various concepts and approaches before refining the best solutions through prototyping and testing. This user-centered approach ensures that the design is both effective and impactful.

My life motto as a designer is "Design with empathy, innovate with purpose." This means always prioritizing the needs and emotions of users while pushing the boundaries of creativity to create meaningful and impactful solutions. By keeping empathy at the core of my process and focusing on purposeful innovation, I strive to make a positive difference in people's lives through design.

Design both sets the trends and is influenced by them. Designers often lead by introducing innovative concepts and solutions that push boundaries and inspire new directions in various fields. At the same time, they are influenced by emerging trends, societal changes, and technological advancements, which shape their work and drive the evolution of design. This dynamic interplay ensures that design remains relevant and continually evolves to meet the changing needs and desires of society.

Technology plays a crucial role in my design process, serving as both a tool and an inspiration. It enables me to create more sophisticated and interactive prototypes, conduct user research with greater precision, and iterate designs more efficiently. Advanced technologies like AI, augmented reality, and virtual reality open new possibilities for innovation, allowing for more immersive and personalized user experiences. Ultimately, technology enhances my ability to solve problems creatively and effectively, making the design process more dynamic and impactful.

In my work, I primarily use Figma for its powerful collaborative features and intuitive interface. Additionally, I use Adobe Creative Suite, such as Illustrator for more detailed graphic design tasks. In terms of equipment, I use a high-performance Macbook with a large LG monitor for detailed work, along with a graphics tablet for precision drawing and sketching. These tools and equipment help me create, iterate, and refine designs efficiently and effectively.

I wish people would ask about the stories behind my design decisions and the impact I hope to achieve. Understanding the thought process, user research, and challenges involved in a project reveals the depth and purpose behind the design. Additionally, I appreciate when people inquire about how the design addresses specific user needs and contributes to solving real-world problems. These questions foster meaningful discussions about the value and significance of thoughtful, user-centered design.

I believe in the beauty of co-design. It is easy to discover innovative ideas when you have fellow designers to brainstorm with, and it is a beautiful feeling when you align on a design direction that you and your designer partners believe that would truly make the world a better place.

Receiving awards like the A' Design Award in the Information Technologies and Software Design category is incredibly gratifying and humbling. These recognitions validate the hard work, creativity, and dedication my team and I put into the project. While the recognition is an honor, my primary focus remains on creating meaningful and impactful designs. Being famous isn't the goal; it's about continuously improving and making a positive difference through design. Balancing recognition with the ongoing pursuit of innovation and user-centered solutions is key to staying grounded and motivated.

My favorite color is black as of now as black has a profound philosophy to it. When you go out into space, the space looks black. When you close your eyes, what you see is black. Nietzsche said “when you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.” Abyss is black as well. I believe the majority of text, the primary mode of communication for people nowadays, is also black. Although black is oftentimes not a glorified color, I find that black reflects the philosophy that should be glorified, which is that there is still much to explore in today’s world even though many innovations look like they are figured out in today’s society. As a designer, when I feel stuck, I look at the night sky that is black and remind myself that there is still much to explore, and that there are still areas to be innovated.

What makes my day great as a designer is seeing my work positively impact users' lives and solving real problems. Witnessing users interact with my designs and hearing their feedback is incredibly rewarding. I motivate myself by staying curious and continuously learning new skills and techniques. Collaborating with talented colleagues and drawing inspiration from diverse sources also keeps me energized. Ultimately, the drive to create meaningful and innovative solutions fuels my passion and keeps me motivated every day.

Imagining a thousand years into the future is both fascinating and challenging. I envision a world where technology and design are deeply integrated into every aspect of life, creating seamless and intuitive interactions. Advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable practices will likely lead to remarkable improvements in health, environment, and quality of life. Society might become more interconnected and inclusive, with design playing a pivotal role in addressing global challenges and fostering innovation. While it's hard to predict specifics, the focus on empathy, sustainability, and innovation will continue to drive progress, shaping a future that is more advanced and humane.

I want my fans to know that my design philosophy is rooted in empathy and a deep commitment to improving people's lives. Every project I undertake is driven by a desire to understand and solve real user problems, making technology more accessible, intuitive, and impactful. Beyond design, I'm passionate about continuous learning and exploring new ideas, which keeps my work fresh and innovative. I believe in the power of collaboration and diversity, drawing inspiration from different perspectives and experiences. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to continuing this journey of creating meaningful and transformative designs together.

Design is about creating features that would improve or enhance the experience for the end user. I believe good design is the perfect marriage between logic and empathy as you need logic to make the design functional, and empathy to ensure that the functional specifications of the design are addressing an issue that could be solved.

I particularly enjoy designing software, with an emphasis on emerging technology such as AI. Because I used to study Computer Science before pursuing design full time, I believe that I can contribute the most to providing design for complex and technical designs in the field of emerging technology.

My favorite technology is AI at the moment. AI is a tool and there are numerous ways as to how it could revolutionize the lives of people for the better. It’s my passion to ensure that AI is used in a way that has a positive social impact for the end users.

I try to ensure a design solves a problem, and I strive to make a design structured. I fell in love with design as I learned how design could solve the problems of many and the scalable impact it can have. I also try to make my designs structured as the problem of today’s society with the sea of data that we swim in is that much of the data out there is unstructured and difficult to navigate. I try to make sure meaningful data is structured well in the software design I contribute to.

I feel content when I design. I feel content as I believe that I am doing my best to contribute to this society through a medium that I am in love with. I believe the feeling of contributing to society while doing something you love is difficult to achieve, and I feel blessed to be able to do this.

Curiosity is the biggest emotion I have when a design is realized. I try to create designs based on data, research, and logic; however, the design at the end of the day will be evaluated as the end user, and it is difficult to gauge all scenarios of how the user would use the product you create. Therefore, curiosity of how the users will interact with my design is the biggest emotion I have whenever my design is published.

If a design is useful to the user, and if the design even provides the user pleasure through the aesthetics of the design, I believe the design is successful. I believe usefulness is the default requirement for a design to be successful, and I also believe that providing pleasure to the user by creating an aesthetic and minimalist design is also important to contributing to the success of a design.

I believe it is the responsibility of the designer to be mindful of what social impact and environmental impact a design can have while designing, and actively communicate this with team members and stakeholders to make the best decision in the given situation. Even software products can have environmental impact given the amount of electricity software products consume; therefore, keeping up to date on such factors are an ethical responsibility of designers in my perspective.

AI companionship is emerging in the field of design in a way that designers are utilizing AI to brainstorm ideas and generate images for the features that they create. There are concerns related to copyright, and there are issues related to AI hallucination; however, I believe that AI has proven to be an interesting tool to utilize for designers when designing, and I believe the future of design will lie in how designers use AI to their benefit.

I try to define the problem first with stakeholders, and then I create a research plan that would contain a mixture of methodologies relevant to the project whether that be competitive analysis or user research. Then, I create an Information Architecture (IA) and user journey to communicate with stakeholders to align on the product direction before going into designing wireframes. After alignment on the IA and user journey or scenario, I try to obtain focus time to be heads down on iterating and communicating design decisions with stakeholders to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of the end product to be tested with the users.

Designing full time means that you will be spending a significant part of your life designing. Before committing to a lifelong career in design, I would recommend working at a startup, a school club, or friends, or by yourself on a design project end-to-end, and see if you enjoy it. If you do, I would then recommend experiencing a variety of industries to find the industry of your liking as various industries approach design in a different manner.

I believe the golden rule in design is communication. The evaluation of design lies in the hands of the user and the stakeholders. Does it solve the stakeholders’ and users’ needs and wishes? In order to achieve this, you have to communicate with stakeholders, and communicate with users. Communication is key.

My go to tool right now is Figma. It’s a great tool to use to design efficiently and collaborate with fellow designers, product managers, and engineers. I also enjoy the regular updates that improve the experience as well as the variety of plug-ins available to facilitate the design process.

I work as a team and lead the team when it comes to most of my designs that are passion projects. I closely work with Lauren, Minjung, Seongbin, Seowon, and James when it comes to the passion projects that I do. I find the collaboration key in accomplishing good design.