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

Jenny, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The MICA Pin project was the most meaningful project I have worked on in the Year 2022 fall.

“The Lab” was a course from Maryland Institute College of Art that give students a chance to create and sell a product, figure out the market, target audience, packaging, and promotion.

I had to create a product that promotes my school using my skill as a graphic designer and illustrator. This project started by researching the target audience, exclusively visitors of the MICA store located in the campus area. Also, based on the target audience and problem of the MICA store, which is a lack of esthetic college products, build an idea that can solve the problem.

The product name “MICA” stands for Many Insanely Creative Artists. MICA is a wooden pin that illustrates the Maryland Institute College of Art’s campus buildings: Main Building, Fox Building, Brown Center, Gateway, and Mount Royal Station. I have created wooden pins, stickers, postcards, wash tape, and button pins. The products remind memorable moments from MICA to MICA students, faculty, and their families.

The sale of this product was really successful, also became a chance to promote me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am Jenny Yoo, a college student, illustrator, and graphic designer. I was a painter for a long time, and college education was my turning point changing my interest in graphic design and illustration. My long experience being an artist benefited me, expanding my art-making option and building an idea. The designs I worked on are always systematically organized, vibrant, and applicable to various materials and mediums.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The power of making something normal into something different, special and original is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative. The message of social, economic, racial and a lot of serious issues, when they are conveyed through art, can be more influential.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the events that changed my life was back 10 years ago. I was an artist, painter, and a teenager in puberty and physically ill. I was devoted to doing art, but my physical condition stopped me from doing it. That was the moment I realize that my family was my biggest support. I was acting out to my family, but they supported my art-making no matter what. Some people might think that’s what family has to do, but no, we should appreciate when the family is taking care of us. When I realized that my family, especially my mom sacrificed her time to do that so, It changed my life and mindset. I appreciate my family’s support and love, and it is my motivation back then and still. I want to be a proud daughter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennyyoodesign.com
• Instagram: jen.ys_design
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jennyyoo13