Check Out Nathan Kim’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Kim.

Hi Nathan, 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?
Hello, my name is Nathan Kim. I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea.
At the age of 24, I moved to the United States and spent many years in Colorado, adjusting to a completely new environment. While working different jobs and learning English, I happened to design a few T-shirts that received a surprisingly positive response. That moment helped me discover my talent and passion for design.

My time in Denver became a major turning point in my life. I dedicated myself to learning and growing as a designer, investing countless hours into developing my skills. Even while managing other responsibilities, I never lost my passion for design and continued to explore the principles of branding and visual communication. Over time, I became certain that this was the path I wanted to pursue as my career.

Eventually, I had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles. The city’s creative energy and vibrant atmosphere immediately captured me, and I knew this was where I belonged. So, I decided to move to L.A. and start a new chapter.

After relocating, I began sharing my design work on social media, which led to new opportunities and collaborations with well-known figures across different industries. Today, I continue to live and work in Los Angeles, still moving forward on my journey to achieve my dreams.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I came to the United States when I was 24. By that time, my language and cultural identity had already been shaped as Korean, so adapting to a completely different environment was not easy.

Learning design and pursuing my dream was also a challenge. It was difficult to keep visualizing a reality beyond my current circumstances and continue improving my skills through daily repetition, especially when there were no immediate results.

Moving to Los Angeles was another adventure. I didn’t know anyone here, but I trusted my intuition and decided to take the leap.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a brand designer. My work is about creating visual elements that are not only memorable but also grounded in the feeling a brand wants to evoke in its audience.

The key difference between art and design, in my view, lies in intention.
Art exists to express oneself, and its value is in personal expression.
Design, on the other hand, exists to serve a purpose. It’s not about the creator’s self-expression but about communicating within the cultural context of a defined audience.

In other words, design is strategic creativity, the art of shaping emotion and meaning so they align with the culture and expectations of the people a brand aims to reach.

I’m known as a brand designer who helps diverse industries build their visual identities, creating designs that connect emotionally and strategically with their audiences.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. From a young age, I loved drawing and often came up with creative ideas. However, I never really took an interest in design or art while I was in Korea. It wasn’t until I came to the United States that I discovered my talent and passion for design.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nateness.com
• Instagram: @nathankimdesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designernathankim