Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Min Park. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Min, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At the heart of what I do is a belief that art and design are powerful tools for connection. They can bridge the distance between cultures, identities, and generations. My mission is to create visual work that reflects the layered experiences of Asian Americans and offers something that helps people feel seen, understood, and inspired.

This mission is rooted in personal experience. As an Asian creative, I’ve often found myself in spaces where identity felt fragmented or simplified. I turned to illustration and design because I didn’t see our stories represented in visual culture. I didn’t see enough of them on walls, in books, or in everyday design objects like prints and tote bags. I wanted to create work that didn’t just include us but celebrated the nuance, complexity, and beauty of being in between.

Every piece I make carries a story. Some are playful, some are quiet, and some reflect deeper questions about identity and belonging. But each is crafted with care and intention, shaped by real moments and emotions. Through visual storytelling, I hope to open space for reflection, conversation, and a sense of connection.

This mission matters to me because art and design are more than aesthetics. They are ways of making meaning and ways of making space for ourselves and each other.

Min, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an artist, illustrator, designer, and storyteller with a background in both fine art and graphic design. Having grown up between Korea and the United States, I bring a cross-cultural perspective to my work that continues to inform how I see and interpret the world. My practice centers on themes of identity, memory, and the often overlooked, in-between spaces where culture and emotion intersect.

My creative journey began with a degree in visual communication design in Korea, followed by an MFA in communication design from Pratt Institute in New York. That academic and professional training allowed me to understand how design can carry emotional weight and how visual storytelling can articulate what words often cannot. Over time, I became increasingly focused on work grounded in personal narrative and emotional resonance.

Currently, I create a wide range of work including illustrations, paintings, and functional design objects such as prints, t-shirts, postcards, websites, and posters. Some of my pieces are poetic and dreamlike, while others respond to cultural and social themes. Across all formats, my intention is to create work that feels honest and fosters a sense of connection.

In addition to my personal practice, I collaborate with nonprofits, cultural institutions, and mission-driven brands on visual identities, campaigns, and storytelling-based design. I’m currently partnering with the Korean Cultural Center New York on projects that combine visual art and narrative to explore identity, belonging, and cultural memory. My work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Gallery Nucleus, Metropolitan Art Atelier, WomensWork.Art, and the Seoul Art Center, and has been exhibited in both New York and Korea.

What sets my work apart is the personal lens I bring to each project. I focus less on trends and more on clarity, emotion, and meaning. Whether it’s a large-scale exhibition or an everyday item like a tote bag, I aim to create something that resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impression.

I’m especially proud of the pieces shaped by lived experience. Most recently, I’ve been developing an exhibition that integrates drawing, interviews, and installation to explore the complexity of identity across cultures.

For those discovering my work for the first time, I hope it offers space for reflection, curiosity, and connection. I’m grateful to share work that values storytelling, sincerity, and care.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is creating something that resonates with someone on a deeply personal level, often in ways I never expected. When someone tells me that a piece reminded them of home, helped them feel seen, or simply gave them a moment of calm or reflection, that connection is incredibly meaningful.

Art has the power to express things that are hard to put into words. It can hold complexity, invite conversation, and offer comfort. Being able to take my own experiences, especially those shaped by identity, memory, and cultural in-betweenness, and transform them into something that reaches others feels both vulnerable and powerful.

It is also rewarding to see how a personal story can become universal. Even when the work is rooted in my specific background, people from very different places and experiences find their own meaning in it. That shared emotional space, even if silent or brief, is what keeps me going.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been a combination of word-of-mouth referrals and meaningful collaborations. When I deliver work that resonates deeply and meets a client’s needs, they often recommend me to others in their networks. These personal connections tend to lead to projects that are a great fit creatively and professionally.

Additionally, collaborating with cultural organizations and nonprofits has opened doors to new opportunities. These partnerships often lead to further projects with mission-driven brands and institutions that value storytelling and thoughtful design.

Building genuine relationships and staying active in communities related to my work has proven to be the most effective way to grow my client base.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.minsartworks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mins_arts/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/min-park-designer/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mininny

Image Credits

The photo named “Min_Gallery_2” was shot by Sharon Yang (@ones.photo.ny)