"Korean Culture News" Vol.21 Graphic Designer Shin Shin

Ever since I was little, I loved making things and drawing by myself. My parents gave me a sketchbook that was like a never-ending spring, and I loved playing with filling its pages. Throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years, I watched a lot of Japanese manga and animation, as well as American movies and music videos, so it was only natural that I chose to go to art school.

I also like drawing, so I went to an art high school and studied sculpture and painting while also majoring in design, but the design classes were interesting. Looking back now, I think I chose the path of design because I was more motivated by being asked by friends to make things than by making something myself. Also, in high school I collected design books and wanted to become a book maker.

After entering art university, I was overwhelmed with just my assignments. However, a turning point came when I joined a Hangul alphabet, font, and design club in my second year. I was strongly influenced by my seniors, and from that point on, I began to seriously explore design. I also liked the collection of works by British graphic designer Peter Saville, and I knew that one day I wanted to work in music.

There was a magazine called "designdb" and I really loved its design so I collected it. When I found out that the magazine was designed by Lee Kyung-soo, a senior at the same university, I instantly connected my passions with my studies.

We've been influenced by so many different arts and cultures, but one of the biggest influences would have to be bookstores, both large and small, all over the country. Direct experiences are important, of course, but we also believe that indirect experiences through books are extremely important. For example, we started frequenting The Book Society in the late 2000s when we were still undergraduates, and we encountered many artists and works through books there. We've also been greatly influenced by many senior designers and friends.

A few years ago, I worked on the renewal of the CI for Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, a cultural institution that represents Seoul. I was deeply moved to be involved in creating a logo for such a prestigious venue in the heart of Seoul. I also worked on the main visuals for the art fair "Freeze Seoul." This was approached more like a commission to an artist than a design project, so it felt especially meaningful.

Usually, we all work independently, but when we see the work being done halfway through, we are surprised and amazed.

Although I enjoy client projects, they can be exhausting. Since around 2020, we've been taking on more projects that we initiate ourselves, and now that's leading to new work. I think that's interesting.

I have launched a publishing project called Hwawon, and in addition to being the publisher and publishing activist myself, I am also preparing a space near Gwanghwamun, where I plan to hold exhibitions, talks, workshops, etc. The scope of design is expanding rapidly, but I hope to always be able to challenge myself with design thinking.