Design Legend Interview
30 Froen
Sangmin Shim currently is an active professional graphic designer and illustrator based in New York. Prior to his graduation at Konkuk University, Shim began his career in Visual Communication Design and started as a…
Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
Sangmin Shim currently is an active professional graphic designer and illustrator based in New York. Prior to his graduation at Konkuk University, Shim began his career in Visual Communication Design and started as a professional freelance graphic designer in Korea.
As he progressed, professional experiences in Korea has lead him to pursue more advanced graphics at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in the United States. He successfully completed the 5 year program Bachelor of Graphic Design (BGD) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).
Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
I decided to become a designer. I want to be in art field.
What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
I am not a design legend.
What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
I think a good designer is to create good design works, and a great designer is to think beyond more than good design.
What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
Daily routine, Inspiration from everywhere, trying to think in different view points
What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
One day, I would like to work for non-profit organizations, which work for better world.
What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
When I design for my client, I always try to spend a lot of time to communicate with them before I started to work, and then I agonize over a decision that the project is available to get satisfaction of both side or not. If I think it's not good for both, I make a bold decision to do not work, and I explain why I cannot do the project.
Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
Usually, I got inspired from everyone who could be designers, normal peoples.
What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
I don't know which is my greatest design, and I have a strong partiality all my design. Maybe, when my client understands and is satisfied with my design, I think the design is my favorite design.
How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Designers need to share their idea and improve their concept and skill to become better designers.
If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
An artist like a painter or an illustrator
How do you define design, what is design for you?
My destiny
What helped you to become a great designer?
Support of family and friends, teachings of teachers and mentors.
What's your ultimate goal as a designer?
I want to be a member of society to help create a better society through my design. I still continue to be interested in a "meaningful area for minority" and a "shared area for the majority".
How does design help create a better society?
People do not want to have just same thing. People desire for new items in the modern society. That’s why designers create new designs, and these help create a better society.
What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
I am working for fashion a company and an energy company
Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
My research project like high myopia. It took a long time to become a
How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
It depends on projects. For example, usually branding design can be a month to 3 months.
When you have a new design project, where do you start?
I start to get information as much as the clients can, and communicate with clients to know clearly what they want.
Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
I think both. Sometimes, design sets the trends, and sometimes, trends set the designs.
What is the role of technology when you design?
Tools to make better design without bolder.
What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
My hands and Adobe programs
When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
How did the designers create a great design? How to get the great idea? Where did the designer get inspired the concept and the idea?
Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
Ideal design partners need to agree up front what their responsibilities are in the project, and they have to realize what their responsibilities before the projects is started.
Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
My family and friends
How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
I’ve tried to not just follow a design trend and combine a design trend with my design style.
How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
All of the competitions I had participate include A' Design Award were a big honor for me to awards the winner of a high level international awards. I used competitions to verify my design quality and share my idea.
What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
I like vivid colors and I like local places and local brand even those are not famous.
When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
When I was a little child, I have a gift for art like painting and drawing. I loved drawing and painting, and I wanted to be in art field. Design is also one of parts of arts.
What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
Honestly, I cannot imagine the future after thousand years from now, but I know we need to find better design solutions to have better life together.
