Today we’d like to introduce you to Esoo Park
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hello, my name is Isu Park. I was born and raised in Korea, where I graduated from university. I initially pursued a degree in Airline Services to become a flight attendant, but the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry led me to change my career path. At the same time, I had the opportunity to immigrate to the United States, and I saw this as a chance for a fresh start, so I decided to take the leap.
When I first arrived in the U.S., I began attending community college to explore what I was good at and what I truly enjoyed. After taking a variety of courses, I decided to pursue design, a field I had long been interested in. Living in Silicon Valley, I met many designers and engineers working in tech companies, which naturally led me to develop an interest in UX design.
As I prepared my portfolio and researched potential schools, I chose to attend ArtCenter College of Design in California, known for its practical, hands-on curriculum and strong job placement. Initially, I majored in Graphic Design, but as I took more classes, I realized it was different from what I envisioned UX design to be. So, in my third year, I switched my major to Interaction Design.
Studying Interaction Design, I enjoyed the process of learning new things through user research, interviews, and testing. It was incredibly fulfilling to create tangible results through design, and this motivated me even more as a designer.
During my studies, I applied for various internships and was accepted into FOX’s BCL team. I participated in a social media project for Tubi called “Stubios,” and I was part of the team that launched the project. Seeing my designs come to life was an unforgettable experience, and it gave me a deeper passion for my career as a designer.
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?
One of the most significant challenges I faced after immigrating to the United States at a later stage in life was adapting to American culture and improving my English communication skills. The cultural differences were more pronounced than I had expected, and the language barrier often made it difficult to fully immerse myself in daily life. I knew that in order to succeed personally and professionally in the U.S., I had to find a way to overcome these obstacles.
To address this, I decided to take a proactive approach by working at a sushi restaurant. This job gave me the opportunity to interact with native English speakers on a regular basis and provided a real-world environment where I could practice my language skills. Initially, it was intimidating to engage with customers and colleagues, as I was still self-conscious about my English proficiency and nervous about making mistakes. However, the restaurant setting allowed me to face this fear head-on.
Through small talk with customers and co-workers, I not only improved my conversational English, but I also began to learn more about American customs, social norms, and cultural expectations. The process was gradual, but over time, I became more confident in my ability to communicate effectively. Meeting new people and engaging in daily conversations helped me overcome my initial hesitation, and I started to feel more integrated into American society.
This experience taught me that stepping out of my comfort zone was essential for personal growth. By pushing myself to interact with people in real-life situations, I not only developed better language skills but also gained a deeper understanding of American culture. This has been a crucial part of my journey, as it has enabled me to adapt more smoothly to life in the U.S. and helped me navigate both social and professional environments with greater ease.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One of the projects I’m most proud of from my internship experience is the Stubio project with Tubi. This project gave me the invaluable opportunity to learn how a real business operates and how products are launched in a professional setting. Being part of this process allowed me to see firsthand how my designs could come to life and impact real users, which was a defining moment in my growth as a designer.
Stubio is a social media platform designed to connect creators with their fans. As a lifelong K-pop fan, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the dynamic relationship between creators and their supporters. Growing up, I spent a lot of time buying albums, attending concerts, and cheering for my favorite artists. This personal experience of being a devoted fan helped me deeply understand the emotional connection fans have with their favorite creators. When working on Stubio, I was able to tap into this perspective and design the platform with both the fan and designer viewpoints in mind.
My role was to create a user experience that would not only meet the needs of creators but also resonate with fans on an emotional level. I wanted to ensure that fans felt truly connected to the creators they admire, and that the platform provided meaningful ways for them to interact and engage. This alignment of my personal passion with my professional role gave me unique insights into what fans look for in a social media platform and allowed me to design Stubio in a way that would foster genuine connections between creators and their communities.
Throughout the project, I learned how to balance the creative and business aspects of product development, working closely with teams to ensure that the design aligned with both user needs and business goals. Seeing the Stubio platform launch successfully and knowing that my designs played a part in bringing people together was an incredibly fulfilling experience. This project reinforced my belief that design can bridge the gap between creators and their audiences, and it deepened my passion for creating impactful user experiences.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that often surprises people who know me or my work is my fearlessness when it comes to change and taking on new challenges. I’ve found that many expect hesitation in the face of uncertainty, but I tend to embrace it. Even when I encounter failure, I recover quickly and am ready to tackle the next challenge without fear. For me, failure is simply part of the path to success, and I see each new challenge as a valuable opportunity to learn and grow.
I believe that facing failure now helps prevent repeating the same mistakes in the future. The ability to adapt and push through difficult situations has been key to my personal and professional development. It’s not just about avoiding failure—it’s about embracing the process, knowing that each challenge brings its own lessons and chances for improvement.
Another aspect that people might not know about me is my ability to quickly sense and understand other people’s emotions. While this sensitivity often helps me communicate more effectively and empathize with others, it can also be quite draining at times. I sometimes find myself overly attuned to how others are feeling, which can lead to stress as I try to navigate their moods and reactions. However, this awareness allows me to build stronger connections with people, even if it can be challenging for me personally.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.eprkdesign.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@esooprk
