Interview with Juyoung Hwang

When I was 5 years old, my mother first introduced me to comic books. Thanks to my mother, I became interested in art and content, and from then on I became interested in the design profession. Naturally, I studied and prepared as a designer while majoring in design at art high school and art college. In addition, I learned and studied the perspectives of various designers by visiting art museums and design fairs in each country. The experience I gained at that time taught me that being a designer is a profession that should be a good influence.

Mostly, when people encounter a design, we consider it to be intuitive in how they think and use it. Nothing is more important than a single powerful concept than aesthetics or versatility. So the design style is simple and pursues something that can be easily expressed by anyone. Designs that are difficult to access are not remembered by people. Even if they are not designers, it should be a design that anyone can try.

Designing is as exciting as playing a game. To play a game is to win by effectively using strategy and skill with the elements you have (team members, budget, time, etc.). Similarly, design is a very enjoyable and exciting process of going up a level, solving problems in different situations.

Think and act like children. Children are not experts, nor do they know the terminology of their field of expertise. Their thinking is simple, instinctive. Seeing them through their eyes helps take your design to the next level.

Inspired by classics and news. Designers should always be able to face new problems and give people a better direction. How to recognize the problem and how to solve it should be considered from various viewpoints. If you make it a habit to read a little book and news every day, you can develop elements to grow as a designer. For this reason, I like and are interested in the Digilog((A compound word that connects Digital and Analog) platform, which is a combination of analog and digital. Although the frequency of use of QR codes was low in Korea just a few years ago, they have been actively used since the pandemic. Related technologies are also highly anticipated in the future. My goal in the future is to proceed with the interconnection project of virtual reality using flat surfaces.

I often say to young designers, 'Put yourself on a piece of paper'. For the most part, people are more tolerant of themselves than others. That's why they don't know their problem. As they read their introductions on paper, they learn what they need to fix and who they are. When they evaluate themselves, they have to be as strict as they give points to players after a football match.

Keep everything simple. For example, if you have a lot of work steps in your project, you should cut them down. A series of similar work steps makes you tired and narrows your perspective. The workflow should be meaningful and provide multiple perspectives. You don't have to finish every project to be perfect at once. When the work phase is over and it is not enough, just repeat it. And as you go through the steps, focus on finding the key. You have to define what you find there, and the concept should be understandable to people.

When I wake up in the morning, I start my day with a nutrient supplement placed by my bed and stretching. After that, after checking the work request or proposal e-mail, make a work schedule for the day. I eat a light lunch at noon and study for the future. I start working again, and I go to gym at 4:30 in the afternoon. After my workout, I eat dinner at a nearby restaurant. And when I get home, I go back to studying, work, and housework that I couldn't do. This routine is really simple and repetitive, but it will enhance your creativity.

His design philosophy centers on communication—conveying messages that strike a deep emotional chord. Through his work, he seeks to translate intangible feelings into visuals that transcend language and culture.

Design wasn't a retreat, but a deliberate decision. Design became the most intuitive language for conveying inner thoughts and emotions, and it guided my creative direction.

His current work focuses on emotionally driven graphic design—particularly posters that carry strong narratives. Looking ahead, he aims to explore projects that fuse philosophy with empathy and accessibility, making complex ideas more relatable through visual storytelling.

Hwang emphasizes the importance of thinking before creating. He believes young designers should focus less on trendy aesthetics and more on purpose and message. Developing a clear point of view and understanding the social context of their work are, in his view, essential for building lasting impact.

To him, a good designer has skill, but a great designer has something to say. Greatness lies not just in how a work looks, but in its capacity to resonate, challenge, and endure. Emotional honesty and philosophical clarity set apart the remarkable from the competent.

A truly good design, Hwang explains, addresses both function and emotion. It should solve a problem, convey a story, and stay memorable over time. He also values simplicity that hides complexity and visuals that invite interpretation.

Design, in his view, is not decoration but dialogue. Good design can bridge differences, evoke empathy, and inspire action. Its value lies in its ability to improve experiences, shape behaviors, and foster understanding across cultures.

If time and resources permitted, Hwang would like to design for marginalized communities—particularly projects aimed at accessibility, healing, and education. He dreams of creating visual systems that empower people in vulnerable situations.

Hwang is considering ways to expand this project in the future. He aims to convert the artwork into 3D and make it interactive through an application. This will allow viewers to share even more powerful emotions.

According to Hwang, consistency is key. His approach includes immersing deeply in the subject matter and finding emotional relevance before even touching a design tool. He also cites the ability to embrace solitude and think slowly as his personal secret ingredients.

He draws inspiration from a wide range of figures, from design theorist Victor Papanek to contemporary thinkers like Jordan Peterson and SSendhil Mullainathan. He particularly admires designers who strike a fine balance between form and philosophy.

His favorite pieces are those that seem simple yet deeply impactful, such as Victor Papanek's Tin Can Radio and Alessandro Mendini's Anna G. He values works that engage the viewer both emotionally and intellectually.

There's no single representative artwork. Each work displays a different aspect. The important thing is that each work accurately conveys its message.

To improve as a designer, Hwang stresses the importance of writing. Articulating one’s thoughts in words clarifies design intention. He also suggests observing daily life closely and questioning everything.

Had he not chosen design, he might have become a writer or a teacher—roles that, like design, involve communication, clarity, and empathy. He also learns a lot from the innocence and simplicity of the children he teaches.

Design is a "philosophical narrative of simplicity." It's a way to question the world, reframe existing assumptions, and articulate alternative perspectives.

His mother's unwavering dedication and faith provided the driving force to overcome obstacles. He attributes his growth to mentors and peers who offered critique rather than comfort. Honest feedback, more than praise, helped him refine his path.

Persistence and reflection. He views failure as a learning engine and believes mastery comes not from talent but from sustained curiosity and grit.

The biggest obstacles are self-doubt and the pressure of being swayed by trends. As a designer, the true turning point lies in trusting your intuition and constantly reflecting on design thinking.

Hwang believes designers should present their work like authors present a story—with context, emotion, and clarity. A good presentation doesn't just show visuals but conveys the “why” behind each decision.

His upcoming project revolves around social empathy—particularly focusing on visual accessibility in public communications. The aim is to create emotionally intelligent design systems for public good.

Hwang's long-term goal is to build a platform that connects design, philosophy, education, and mental health. He envisions a studio that pursues joy through design thinking.

He believes audiences expect integrity, originality, and social consciousness from recognized designers. Therefore, he strives to balance artistic freedom with civic responsibility.

For Hwang, design is a medium of care. It can nurture empathy, bridge gaps, and visualize silent voices. Thoughtful design contributes to a more inclusive and emotionally aware society.

Currently, he is designing a multi-sensory exhibition that explores “solitude in the digital age.” The challenge lies in making isolation feel both relatable and visually poetic.

One of his most fulfilling experiences was working with youth mental health organizations to design identity systems that reduced stigma and opened dialogue.

He hopes to see more designers trained in philosophy, sociology, and ethics. Design education, he argues, should go beyond software and into humanistic thinking.

Hwang predicts design will evolve into a more interdisciplinary and emotionally aware discipline, blending data science, psychology, and narrative.

The time needed varies by complexity, but most projects take about 3 to 6 weeks. However, conceptualization may take much longer, depending on the emotional depth required.

Every new project begins with questions, not answers. Hwang starts by asking, “Why does this need to exist?” and “Who does this truly serve?”

"Design simply, think deeply." He values simple processes and careful reflection.

He believes truly meaningful design creates trends, not the other way around. It sets a new rhythm rather than following existing beats.

Technology, for Hwang, is a tool—not a goal. It should enable emotion and enhance meaning, not overshadow them.

Hwang utilizes a variety of design software, including image graphics, video editing, and modeling. However, However, he emphasizes that the choice of software should align with the story being told. Analog tools like pencil sketches and clay models are often used during conceptual phases.

To Hwang, color sets the emotional tone, material defines tactility, and ambient creates atmosphere. These three elements must harmonize to form a coherent sensory narrative.

Rather than being asked “how it was made,” Hwang hopes people will ask “why it was made.” He believes the value of design lies in its intention and emotional impact.

Upon encountering a great design, his first thoughts are often, “How did they solve the problem so simply?” or “What kind of effort was put into the design process?”

Hwang values co-design deeply. He ideally collaborates with designers who are emotionally intelligent, humble, and have a deep understanding of human behavior based on insightful social issues.

Among many, mentors from his academic years and community organizers in social design fields have left a strong imprint on his practice.

Humanities and classic books offer much inspiration and insight. Michael Sandel's "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" and Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull a story" have been significant influences.

He improved his skills through deliberate practice, peer feedback, and a habit of “learning from every failed design.”

If possible, he would converse with Leonardo da Vinci to explore the intersection of science, philosophy, and aesthetics.

He regards fame as a byproduct, not a goal. While grateful, he often reminds himself to return to the quiet joy of creating.

His favorite color is orange, favorite place is a quiet spaces, favorite food is pizza. His favorite season is fall, favorite season is fall, favorite objects are pencils and liners, and favorite hobbies are watching movies and reading.

His favorite color is orange, favorite place is a quiet space, favorite food is pizza. His favorite season is fall, favorite objects are pencils and liners, and favorite hobbies are watching movies and reading.

A great design day begins with observation. He believes that ideas come from a walk in the park or a line in the newspaper before work.

As a child, he loved to draw and share his creations with his friends. This curiosity and experimental spirit foreshadowed his future as a designer.

He envisions a future where design is not merely visual but multi-sensory and therapeutic—responding to both societal and emotional needs.

He hopes his design speaks where words fail—and that people find not just meaning, but warmth and memory within it.

I am currently working as a freelancer, not affiliated with a company/design studio.

Design should clearly show meaning regardless of shape or size, and should present general themes from a unique point of view. That point of view is an Idea, an Inspiration, and the aggregate of those principles is a Design.

‘Anna G’ by Alessandro Mendini. Ingenious and simple, his products inspire us to create stories. His designs are fun, imaginative, and thus lively. That's why I like his work.

When I was 6 years old, I first saw the ‘Anna G’ wine opener. Holding the handle of the product and moving it, the product danced gracefully like a ballerina. At that moment, I imagined through the product and created a story. It was no longer just a product, but a children's book, a toy, and love. It was the first product that made me dream and dream of design.

It is a tunnel design using media glass at Jeongok Port in Hwaseong, Korea. At that time, I majored in environmental design at university, so I belong to the space design department at the company. The company's main product was the 4th generation display glass for media playback. the product was heavy, so it was designed by adding auxiliary devices considering the load.

Surprisingly, my favorite material is paper. Paper is one of the oldest materials, and I think it is an important material and source that gave rise to various cultures. That is why, as a designer dealing with digital contents, I like and are interested in the Digilog(A compound word that connects Digital and Analog) platform, which is a combination of analog and digital.As a tool to connect the platform, interaction design based on Hashtag and QR code technology is often used. Although the frequency of use of QR codes was low in Korea just a few years ago, they have been actively used since the pandemic. I am really looking forward to the related technologies that will come out in the future, and I am thinking about my design and how to apply it.

The human hand is the most creative tool since the birth of mankind. Because tools and civilizations were created by hand. Today, with the development of modern technology, there are many programs that are more effective and easier. However, there is no more creative moment than when you use your hands to sow, refine, and organize your thoughts.

Mostly, when people encounter a design, we consider it to be intuitive in how they think and use it. Nothing is more important than a single powerful concept than aesthetics or versatility.

Designing is as exciting as playing a game. To play a game is to win by effectively using strategy and skill with the elements you have (team members, budget, time, etc.). Similarly, design is a very enjoyable and exciting process of going up a level, solving problems in different situations.

I don't have any emotions when the design is finished more than I thought. Because I considered all the situations in the planning stage and expected various outcomes. So no matter what results (good results or bad results) come out, I accept the situation and plan and proceed with another project for a new challenge.

Continuous analysis, strong concepts, and sustainable questions are what make a successful design. First, analysis through data and data determines the direction of design we will pursue in the future. A simple and clear concept leads to the success of the design. Finally, the question of sustainability provides the potential for design to evolve without stopping. Good design does not stay in the present, but has the power to move forward.

When encountering a design, the first thing to look at is whether this design is clearly understood. No matter how aesthetically good a design is, if communication between the user and the designer is not achieved, it cannot be said to have played a fundamental role in design. Good design should be understandable to everyone.

Designer Victor Papanek emphasized social change through process rather than outcome. The role of the designer is to urge change with continuous interest in the environment and society through the project. If a designer does a design without purpose and without a message, it is avoiding responsibility to people and cannot be called a good designer.

Today, anyone can easily shoot and edit video to make a movie. In addition, programming development can be easily made through software. Compared to the past, various design tools can be used in one design field today. People will be confused by the myriad ways to use the different design tools. So the ultimate principle of design will become even more important. Consistency and clarity are needed in any field. In the future of design, technology will be subdivided, and design spirit and principles will be simplified.

In July 2020, it was an exhibition in Incheon, Korea. Before the pandemic, an exhibition was held every two years. Currently, the situation is difficult due to the long-term pandemic, but he is aiming to hold an exhibition within three years.

Inspired by classics and news. Designers should always be able to face new problems and give people a better direction. How to recognize the problem and how to solve it should be considered from various viewpoints. Therefore, the most effective way to develop creativity is to meet and talk with people of various professions. If a single problem is viewed through various opinions and processes, good results can be obtained.

The design style is simple and pursues something that can be easily expressed by anyone. Designs that are difficult to access are not remembered by people. Even if they are not designers, it should be a design that anyone can try. In order to develop a style, I search for retro products and pictograms in each country and try various things.

I live in Incheon, Korea. Oriental painting is different from Western landscape painting, and its realistic approach is also different. Oriental painting, especially Korean painting, emphasizes the power and relationship between blank space and subject matter. It is also a required element in many designs today. In addition, the approach to nature rather than people is a guideline that evolves the field of design and suggests the future.

First, I listen to a briefing about the project at the company and consider whether the direction I am pursuing is right. And discuss the feasibility of the project with the company. If the project is feasible and suitable for several factors (social impact, potential, etc.), the proposal is accepted. After that, negotiate with the company about the conditions and rights for the project.

Designer should always have a clear concept. To do this, communication skills between team members are important. For example, the story of the Tower of Babel. Inconsistent terminology and processes make it difficult to get a clear concept. When working on the same project, different values and directions for design have a bad effect on designers and companies. Therefore, companies should have criteria for selecting designers with the same goal to some extent.

Ideas seek to come out quickly and easily. I prefer to come up with ideas within 15 minutes. If it doesn't come out, take a break or postpone it to the next day. The selected ideas are organized into sentences so that anyone can easily understand them. Condensed sentences into words as a concept. After that, I try to work from various occupational and environmental perspectives to effectively express the derived concept. Finally, the design is completed after hearing opinions from experts in various fields.

Pen, bookshelf, desk, chair, paper. It is the best functional design product for design!

When I wake up in the morning, I start my day with a nutrient supplement placed by my bed and stretching. After that, after checking the work request or proposal e-mail, make a work schedule for the day. I eat a light lunch at noon and study for the future. I start working again, and I go to gym at 4:30 in the afternoon. After my workout, I eat dinner at a nearby restaurant. And when I get home, I go back to studying, work, and housework that I couldn't do. It's a very simple and repetitive day.

I often say to young designers, 'Put yourself on a piece of paper'. For the most part, people are more tolerant of themselves than others. That's why they don't know their problem. As they read their introductions on paper, they learn what they need to fix and who they are. When they evaluate themselves, they have to be as strict as they give points to players after a football match.

A designer is someone who convinces others with one word or one product. So, keeping things simple and easy is my characteristic and strength. Ironically, the disadvantage is that it is difficult to simplify the process of organizing it.

The golden rule should be simple. If you are working on a project, there are a lot of steps you need to cut down. A series of similar work steps makes you tired and narrows your perspective. The workflow should be meaningful and provide multiple perspectives. A design doesn't have to be perfect all at once. When the work phase is over and it is not enough, just repeat it. This is like the daily routine of our life.

Finding the core is the most important thing. Designers have to look at tons of resources and information to find out what people are asking for and needing. We also have to define what we find there, and it has to be understandable to people. In conclusion, the ability to find the core is the most necessary competency for designers and for the future of design.

I think of a designer as an engineer as well as a philosopher like the ancient Romans. As technology expands, design tools and programs are important, but the wisdom and essence of people are important. That is why books are indispensable for design work. The wisdom and stories of classics are the same for all generations. We can also realize the approach and way of finding the heart of the design.

Design seems easy, but it is an aggregate of complex processes. Time is limited and we need to manage it systematically. That's why it's very important to plan ahead of time. We need to strictly manage and control that time.

It takes as little as 1 week and as long as 1 year. It depends on the size and situation of the project. However, during the project period, the process is always the same.

People ask me, 'Where do you usually get your ideas from?' The answer is . ‘Go to many places, hear many things, see many objects’.

The most important experience is R&D development support project planning. B2G businesses for startups are active in Korea. It was the first business and field that challenged me. As I received and proceeded with the project, I was able to create a more accurate and understandable concept. This was enough to further develop my design skills.

Although diverse, the main customers are finance and mothers with children. I am interested in education, and I am thinking about how to provide a better future for my children. For financial customers, I mainly propose planning and processes to create products that are intuitive and easy to use for users.

Drawing work. Because the unconscious drawings sometimes become clues for the next project. It is not burdensome, and I like it as a lubricant that softens the hardness of thoughts.

Currently I am working as a freelancer, but I would like to go into a company where I can work with a better size and workforce and work on projects. A new challenge always excites me and inspires passion.

I do both team and individual work. A team project is a good way to improve and develop skills that I lack. Personal design work is great for organizing my thoughts and strengthening my core.

Since the pandemic, the movement of many people has been controlled. If communication between countries becomes more free and restrictions are lifted, I would like to proceed with design work related to travel.

You can communicate with me through my E-mail or SNS. E-mail : gabell@naver.com, Instagram : jimmy_n_yom.

I want to tell you about my ultimate dream. When I was asked what my dream was since I was a child, I always replied this way. ‘Even if people don’t know the name of designer Juyoung Hwang, I want it to be a design that anyone can recognize when they see his work.’ Thanks for reading this long interview.