Life & Work with Karen Kang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Kang.

Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a passionate UXUI & Product designer based in Los Angeles, California. I recently graduated from the ArtCenter College of Design, where I specialized in product design. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to intern at two different companies, and I’ve been honored with several awards, including the IDEA Awards, FastCo Awards, Spark Awards, Department Scholarship, and ArtCenter Provost’s List Award.

My journey into the world of design was a natural progression driven by my love for drawing and cartoons. It wasn’t until high school that I decided to pursue product design as a career, and the pivotal moment came while browsing a bookstore. I stumbled upon a book about nendo design, which delved into innovative product concepts. Intrigued, I sought out a teacher to discuss it further.

Currently, my focus lies in crafting immersive experiences for people, whether in the physical or digital realm. By combining my expertise in UXUI and Product design with collaborative brainstorming and intuitive design thinking, I continually seek opportunities to merge emerging technologies with innovative ideas. My goal is to design dynamic user experiences that seamlessly adapt to the ever-changing landscape.

Through my years in design, I’ve discovered a deep affinity for applying product design thinking to problem-solving. This approach allows me to translate thoughts into tangible, practical solutions. Initially drawn to the tactile sensations of physical products, I’ve expanded my horizons to include software design. My aim is to make it easier for people to derive value from both hardware and software products. After several years of studying product design, I’ve come to appreciate the divergent thinking process, which involves exploring various ideas before refining them logically. Ultimately, I use software to present these designs visually to users, relishing the nuances within the design.

I consider myself a designer with a divergent mindset, always eager to create designs that benefit the masses from the perspective of users or clients. I also identify as a T-shaped individual, with primary skills spanning product design and interaction design. I find satisfaction in finding the balance between design and rational logic.

As a product designer, I believe in staying connected to society, generating numerous concepts daily, and constantly iterating on my designs. I’ve come to realize that inspiration rarely strikes out of thin air; it often emerges from extensive user research, understanding user needs, and countless hours of contemplation. Therefore, in my pursuit of becoming an excellent designer, I recognize that in addition to honing my design skills, it’s crucial to learn how to market myself and provide value to others.

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?
This journey hasn’t been easy for me; I can certainly be described as a hardworking individual. My acceptance offer from ArtCenter College of Design came in as the very last one, hidden away in my junk email folder. Luckily, I refused to accept that and found it just in the nick of time. I was well aware that this place was a haven for sleepless nights, a boot camp of sorts with an immense workload and a high-pressure environment. Despite all that, I chose to come here. Besides class time, my life revolves around design; as a designer, I naturally want my output to be exceptional. It’s in this high-pressure environment that I honed my time management skills, which I find invaluable even as I step into the professional world, and it also pushed me to develop my multitasking abilities.

As they say, when you stand at a high starting point, the road can be tough, but the people you meet along the way will undoubtedly enrich your journey. Human potential is often unlocked through challenges, and you never truly know your capabilities until you try. So, I’ve always believed in pushing beyond my comfort zone and exploring different possibilities. After coming to the United States, I had to adapt to the time difference, language, lifestyle, dietary habits, and more. I continually reminded myself to give myself time to grow and adjust gradually.

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?
I am a passionate UXUI & Product designer embracing innovation. My expertise lies in crafting engaging user experiences across both physical and digital platforms, from thorough research and ideation to meticulous testing and prototyping. My process involves intuitive design thinking and a collaborative approach, seamlessly blending emerging technologies with imaginative foresight. Thriving in crafting dynamic user experiences that transcend 2D and 3D realms, I enjoy exploring different fields while leveraging my strengths.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
UX/UI and product design will transform significantly, driven by hardware and software advancements. Emerging hardware, like mobile devices and AR/VR, will challenge designers to create seamless cross-platform experiences. AI will lead to personalized interactions through chatbots and predictive analytics, enhancing user engagement.

Cross-platform design will become pivotal as users switch between devices, necessitating responsive design that maintains consistency. Ethical design and sustainability will gain prominence, emphasizing user privacy and responsible practices. Immersive experiences enabled by AR and VR will captivate users, while voice and gesture interfaces will become more prevalent.

Data-driven insights will guide decision-making, and collaboration tools will continue to facilitate remote work. Designers must adapt and stay informed to excel in this dynamic industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://karenkangdesign.com
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rkkdesign8

Image Credits
Karen Kang