We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sung Yoo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sung, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I’d love to see a shift in the U.S. educational system toward teaching students how to deeper connect with themselves and their environment. The current focus on traditional success markers often overlooks emotional, energetic, and creative intelligence but imagine, if children learned early on to cultivate positive thoughts, connect with the energy around them, and tune into their bodies and emotions – this would empower them with lifelong tools for resilience, grounding and a sense of harmony in life. I believe this approach would help nurture more balanced individuals equipped with tools on how to shape their awareness of mind, body and environment. It would be invaluable for our educational system to offer tools that support students’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being, fostering a foundation for balanced, resilient individuals.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Sung Yoo, a Creative Director in real estate development and founder of Big Little Universe. My work centers on designing thoughtful, elevated experiences, whether through physical spaces or sensory-driven interactions. I prioritize creating environments and objects that foster ease and flow. Guided by essentialism, my goal is maximum impact with minimal materials, where quality always outweighs quantity. By weaving together design philosophies like Feng Shui and Pungsu Jiri with essentialist principles, every element in the spaces I design serves an intentional, purposeful role. Embracing this pared-down approach fosters balance— even as families grow — by eliminating non-essentials and focusing on what truly matters.

I design environments that nurture well-being and promote ease, where every detail is chosen to support individuals energetically and functionally. At the core of my approach is alignment, ensuring each aspect of a space harmonizes with the people who inhabit it, enhancing their quality of life.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most valuable lessons I had to learn was letting go of perfectionism. In the fast-paced world of digital design, the quest for ‘perfection’ often proves inefficient. Throughout my design education, I was trained to achieve a high standard in structure, form, and function — skills that are undeniably valuable. Yet, as I transitioned to platforms like digital advertising, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, I quickly realized that the digital landscape plays by different rules.

On these platforms, ‘perfection’ takes a backseat to speed, authenticity, and sharp messaging. Success here is less about polish and more about structure, real-time connection and raw creativity. Embracing trial and error, moving quickly, and finding value in constant iteration has been essential.
Progress in both design and life is requires in blend of agility, harmony, and openness to transformation.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Yes, we manufacture our own products. My background in production design and software initially gave me the foundation to step into product design. From the start, the goal has always been to enhance experiences through functional, purposeful items — things that align with the idea of living with only the essentials.

Throughout my career and various design practices — the common thread that leads to a ‘successful’ product always begins and ends with the clarity of purpose. Before creating anything, it’s important to fully understand the parameters and the experience you’re trying to shape. This principle has guided me in finding the right balance and ensuring the vision remains aligned with the intent. Whether in design, production, or life, being intentional and purpose-driven is key to achieving meaningful results.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sungyoodesign.com
• Instagram: @sungsation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sung-yoo-32a63124/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sungyooquietude
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sungsation

Image Credits

Portrait: Matt Oliver
Ocean Still: Dominic Lorenzo
Rendering: Blu Haus