Conversations with Lynnea Jeung

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynnea Jeung.

Hi Lynnea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
Hi! I’m Lynnea, and I’m a graphic designer. I just graduated from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. I’m originally from the Bay Area, but I like southern California better (sorry mom, I’ll still visit). I grew up very active with swimming, running and dancing. I enjoy moving my body and being in community environments. A big part of what shaped me was dancing hula since I was 4 years ago and up until high school. I originally was placed in hula as I lacked coordination skills (one foot moved faster than the others… so I walked in circles), but I owe so much of my ability to communicate, persevere, and present due to my dance background. Hula was and is my foundation; it’s where I first learned the language of critique, which is so important now in design culture. Now, I translate principles I learned from dance, harmony, variety, and sequencing, into identity systems, experimental forms, and packaging. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s funny; I just kind of ended up at ArtCenter, but now I am so grateful for the mentorship, classmates, and experiences I went through. Before ArtCenter, I was lost and confused as we all were during the pandemic, but I had just gotten rejected from what I thought was my dream design program at another college where I was working nonstop to get into. Up until that point, I had an unhealthy relationship with defining myself as my work, and this was also a result of a workaholic, high-pressure academic environment from high school. So, when I was rejected, my entire world fell apart; I fell into a depressive slump where I don’t remember what happened during those months, and I was an empty shell of a person. I like to joke that the rejection is my villain origin story and everything I do now is out of spite, but it’s a reminder to me that I am more than my work; I never want to let outside decisions have that much power of me and I think it’s so important to remember we are people outside of our occupations. So, I guess as cheesy as it sounds, rejection is redirection. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in branding; I love the process of research to creating iterations to visual identities to applying that identity on different things. Within branding, I am able to understand a broad range from one small specific package to larger spatial installations. I have also been told I am a very iterative designer; I will keep going and making many different options. I am a big believer in the quote, “Leave no stone unturned,” and I find the most joy in design when I’m exploring everything and anything. I also am very grateful to be in such a supportive community, from my peers to my family. Some of my best work has come from suggestions my classmates made and just from talking to people around me. 

I am most proud of my designs, that delight and bring joy to people. Whether it’s an expandable booklet that seems to magically unfold, or fancy gold-foiled postcards, I believe in the tactile, eye-catching forms and finishes that connect people to design. In my work I’ve done so far, it’s always been a joy to see how people interact with the things I make, and I know I’m just getting started… 

I think what sets me apart from others is my leadership skills and ability to converse with anybody. During my time at school, I did what I call the “trifecta of being an ArtCenter advertisement” with three jobs of multiple teaching assistant jobs, orientation leader for new students, and a tour guide (now I can talk and walk backwards). I genuinely enjoy meeting people and having face-to-face conversations. I could probably talk all day if you gave me a caffeinated drink (vanilla iced latte, strawberry matcha, or kombucha if you’re taking orders) and maybe a throat drop too. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I am a big fan of cooking and food in general. I don’t really use recipes, only to check temperatures and times, I just go off of intuition and vibes. Food not only nourishes us, but I love the process of experimenting and working with my hands. 

Ok and I have to say this because I am Gen-Z, but TikTok is one of my favorite resources (if you could call it that). I get a lot of cooking ideas, hair/makeup tips, and lifestyle inspiration from it. And also, the trendy dances… I’ll admit it, they are fun. 

Instagram is also a huge source of inspiration for me, both personally and professionally. I follow a lot of design agencies and they are always posting new work they did, it’s inspiring. Oh, and also, as I graduate and become more “adult,” it’s harder to maintain friendships when you don’t see each other every day at school, so Instagram is my portal into keeping those relationships alive. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lynnea.info/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lynnea-jeung