We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lia Jiyun Kim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lia Jiyun, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
While visiting New York, I had a chance encounter with one of the co-chairs of CRNGO (Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations). I shared my school projects aligned with the UN’s mission, focusing on posters promoting environmental awareness and peace. To my surprise, she was impressed and extended an offer to collaborate.
Our collaboration with CRNGO centered on developing a visual language that celebrated religious diversity while underlining the importance of unity. We integrated symbols of a bird and a leaf, symbolizing freedom of faith and interconnectedness. This project was dedicated to fostering tolerance and cooperation among religious groups within the UN.
The resulting visual identity aligned perfectly with CRNGO’s mission, turning my chance encounter in New York into a meaningful professional opportunity.
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 am a multidisciplinary designer based in New York. With a B.F.A. in Industrial Design and a minor in Business Administration from Hongik University, as well as an MFA in Graphic Design from Otis College of Art and Design, I have honed her expertise in a variety of design disciplines. My unique perspective and expertise allow me to construct solid and innovative concepts from a wide range of angles.
As a Youth Representative to the UN Department of Global Communications, I use design to make a positive impact in the world. I bridge cultural divides, foster empathy, and promote connectivity through her designs. I believe good design can bring people closer and is always exploring new ways to innovate and push boundaries.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
When reflecting on my creative journey, I wish I had known about the power of reaching out to people who were already on my dream career path much earlier. When I was in Korea, I was quite shy, and this shyness held me back from making those valuable connections. However, after I moved to the United States, I learned the importance of adopting a more proactive attitude. Having a mentor or being part of a supportive community can significantly accelerate one’s creative growth and open doors to exciting opportunities.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of the most profoundly rewarding aspects of being an artist or creative is the opportunity it provides to continually connect with new and diverse individuals, each with their unique perspectives and talents. Through the lens of creativity, the world becomes a vibrant tapestry of people and ideas, and there is always the potential for collaboration and shared inspiration.
In the realm of design, there’s a remarkable ability to not only make people think but also to incite action. When selecting a topic, the potential to communicate visually is an invaluable tool. The visual design has the unique power to pique people’s interest, drawing them into a subject matter, and through interactive methods, it can engage them on a profound level, stimulating both thought and action.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.liakim.work
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liajiyunkim/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liajiyunkim/