Today we’d like to introduce you to Sung Yoo.
Hi Sung, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a multidisciplinary designer and founder / creative director of Big Little Universe, a children’s brand that inspires curiosity through play.
I earned my degree from Parson’s School of Design and I’ve created everything from brand logos to product packaging to commercial, restaurant and workspace interiors.
At its core, I believe design is about problem-solving. The challenge I’m particularly passionate about is helping people get the most out of beautifully designed products or spaces through entertaining, educational or inspirational companion content.
Nowhere am I more inspired by this intersection than in the world of goods designed for babies, children and their parents.
I found Big Little Universe because I saw an opportunity to help little ones imagine a more creative way to play.
In my experience, there were thoughtfully designed children’s products, and there were instances of great storytelling, but it was rare to find brands that excelled in bringing the two together in a deep and meaningful way.
I founded Big Little Universe to bridge that gap. We inspire the lifelong power of curiosity little ones need to grow up to do big things. We do it with carefully curated toys and companion content that introduces them to different kinds of play at each age.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think entrepreneurship is ever a smooth road. It’s risky, and I’m faced with different challenges every day. Some days solving design problems is the easy part. Like any business owner, I also have to know when something demands my undivided attention and be agile enough to identify and move quickly in the right direction when things change.
Regardless of the size or number of challenges in front of you, I believe strong personal awareness is a great foundation for knowing how to handle or resolve any obstacle you face.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
It’s not uncommon to hear that immigrant parents – particularly Korean ones like mine – frown upon or even discourage their children from pursuing a career in the creative industry. I’m fortunate that my mother has always been incredibly supportive of my interests and dreams. I grew up exploring a range of extracurricular activities: art classes, art competitions, music classes, Kumon and martial arts. She wanted me to have the chance to fully immerse myself in the areas that interested me and where I excelled. Her support about my path is my daily motivation.
I attended a fine arts high school, The Visual Art Center in Maryland and then received my BFA from Parsons School of Design. My work experience is broad. It ranges from branding and packaging design to custom-build interiors. My most-recognized work-to-date was my product launch designs for K-beauty brand Glow Recipe. I also designed its first pop-up stores in New York, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
In a word, freedom.
To me, success means sharing my way of problem-solving through design.
When we give ourselves the environment and space to solve for the things we want to improve in the world, even in the smallest way, I believe that’s success.
When we do work we know will have a positive impact, community naturally follows. That’s also success.
I have specific business goals and a vision for what I want my brand to become, but at its core, it’s about building community and making a positive impact through design.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://biglittleuniverse.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biglittleuniverse/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biglittleuniverse.co/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigLittleUnive1
Image Credits:
Photography: Adam Nagy @__adamnagy__
