Na Kim: Insights into the graphic design scene of South Korea and beyond

South Korean graphic designer Na Kim addressed CAAD students and faculty earlier this month, as she shared about her influences, personal collections and international experience in the design industry.

After studying product and graphic design in her home country, Kim moved to the Netherlands to be part of Werkplaats Typografie, the world’s leading typography institute. With studio work spaces in South Korea, Germany and the USA, Kim is now working in Sharjah as artistic director for the region’s first graphic design biennale, Fikra Graphic Design Biennial 2018, which will run through the entire month of November.

During her lecture, Kim discussed her 2017 publication, Set. The book celebrates a decade of Kim’s work, from 2006-2016, and features her iconic style of bold colored geometric shapes presented in a variety of forms and layouts. 

Following its publication, Kim was inspired to exhibit her work in a manner which would not create clutter after the show is over, but instead be painted directly onto the walls of the exhibition space.

Preferring to label herself as a designer rather than an artist, Kim’s personal creative process is goal-driven. She is heavily influenced by objects collected from her international travels, including small souvenirs such as stickers and pins found in souvenir and stationary stores around the world.

This lecture with Na Kim was part of the impressive line-up of international design experts to present at CAAD this year, including architects, designers and experts in design education.

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