We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paul Sun. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paul below.
Paul, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
From as far back as I can remember I always was creating, making things, rebuilding things, taking things apart and putting them back together. So when it came to a career it had to be something creative. My first few jobs, were just that, jobs. Things to do for money. I quickly learned that I couldn’t survive that life mentally and emotionally. I felt like I was wasting away. That’s when I knew I had to find a way where my creativity can sustain me financially. I think I’m still trying to figure that out.
The important thing is that I am able to make it work. It does require a lot of hustle but at the end of the day I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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’ve always had an affinity for craftsmanship or working with my hands. There was a time where I would pick up free furniture off the side of the road, refurbish them, and sell them. But not until I met my now wife did it turn into a professional pursuit.
After rebuilding so many pieces of furniture, I naturally began to have my own ideas on how to improve its engineering and even design. With my wife’s encouragement, I started designing my own pieces for myself. After seeing so much support via social media I decided to put my work out there and lo and behold people began purchasing.
Under the banner of AOF Design, I specialize in custom furniture. Right now my primary medium is wood, however I’d like to expand that into metalwork as well, or any other medium that is required. Currently, my flagship product is a large circle mirror with floating shelves that I call “Full Moon”. It’s an original design that is currently Patent Pending.
What sets me apart, I think, would have to really be myself, my own creativity and perspective towards furniture. I’m trying to bring beautiful, artistic design into a more functional context. Another level of that would also be my heritage/culture. Being of Korean descent, I’ve been looking at more traditional Korean designs to inspire my work and approach, fusing that culture with modern American contemporary design.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Being raised in an immigrant family, resilience was on display every single day. Watching my parents day in and day out making ends meet despite cultural and language barriers. Not only was it an example of hard work really pays off, but it showed me that if my immigrant parents can accomplish what they did, then there really is nothing stopping me.
That’s the narrative that keeps me going.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The best drug in the world, is having an idea in your head and then bringing it to life. Something that didn’t exist in the world is now sitting in front of you; tangible. That process is what I am always after. I’m reminded of Ira Glass’ statement about what makes a good artist is that they have good taste. It’s that taste that tells you when your project is done. You just hack away at it until it feels right.
Contact Info:
- Website: Aofdesignstudio.com
- Instagram: Aofdesignstudio