Jenn Seoyoung Kim

Why did you choose to attend OCAD U?

I knew that OCAD U had the best art & design programs/curriculum in Canada. I had an intuition that studying at OCAD U would guide me to become a successful designer. Plus, I was mesmerized by Will Alsop's architectural design for the building.

Please briefly describe your current job/practice.

Currently, I'm a grad student at the International Design School for Advanced Studies (IDAS) at Hongik University, located in Seoul, South Korea. I'm pursuing a Master’s degree in Design Management while working as a design researcher at International Design Trend Center (IDTC). In the Center, we work on industry-university research projects with various business corporations in Korea. Our team goes through research-based design processes, which involve the ‘research-analysis-synthesis-evaluate-validate’ phases to suggest creative concepts and strategic improvements for the companies.

During the graduate program, I seized the opportunity to study abroad as an exchange student in ENSCI - Les Ateliers, a design school in Paris, France. I worked with team members who had different professional backgrounds: mechanical engineering, biology, computer science, art and design. We participated in collaborative workshops and projects that were organized by Alps Design Lab and CEA Tech (French Research Organization for Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). The objective was to integrate the latest technologies, which were developed by CEA Tech, into design objects and user experiences that will improve quality of life.
 

How did you get started in your career?

My graduation thesis project (Plant Haiti Campaign) covered not only product design but reached out to incorporate business strategies and system design. This motivated me to explore design from a business perspective and apply design as a tool and process to create innovative solutions.
 

Did you volunteer or work in your field while you were a student?

During my OCAD U years, in addition to my studies, I wanted to learn different skills and techniques from the various disciplines outside my Industrial Design major. I volunteered in several local communities to experience and understand people with diverse cultural backgrounds, which helped me to learn tolerance and broaden my perspective in a global context.
 

What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?

I think "experience" is the most valuable aspect to consider in the case of internships and volunteering. When it comes to working in a paid part-time or full-time job, I find it's important to balance salary, passion, capability and potentiality in that job.
 

What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

The field of Design Management requires constant interaction and interdisciplinary collaboration with other professions. This works well, as I enjoy meeting new people; especially the ones who work in different areas. It is always exciting to share ideas and communicate within a multidisciplinary group where I can receive realistic feedback and understand others' perspectives. The most challenging aspect is to convince other designers and consumers about the validity of my design. In that regard, I try to focus on the research/analysis phase of the process to back up my ideas with rational information.
 

What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?

The Design Thinking, Think Tank, Human Factors and Industrial Design Studio courses had many projects that turned out to be helpful for the advanced studies that I'm involved in right now. In addition to those courses, the Industrial Design professors encouraged and advised me to constantly think about my future career. For current OCAD U students, don't hesitate to ask questions, have a positive mindset and value your experiences!
 

What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?

Teamwork, communication, networking and delivering precise information is critical in the field of Design Management. I always have to be keen on global trends, news, business strategies and new technologies in order to catch up with our fast-developing society.
 

What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?

My personal goal is to travel around different countries and experience cultural diversity, which aligns with my professional goal of becoming a global design leader. I will continue to work on projects that are related to design convergence and design management in the meantime.