Rising Stars: Meet Ji Hoon Yang of Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ji Hoon Yang

Hi JI HOON, 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, my name is Ji Hoon Yang, and I’m an Industrial Designer. I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and recently graduated from ArtCenter College of Design with a Bachelor of Science in Product Design. From a young age, I’ve always been a logical thinker, intrigued by the reasoning behind designs, the “whys” of people’s interactions with products, and the influence of social trends and movements. This curiosity naturally led me to industrial design, a field that values improvement and refinement through research and thoughtful reasoning.

At ArtCenter, I developed a solid foundation in industrial design, mastering essential techniques such as 2D and 3D sketching, modeling, rendering, and prototyping. Beyond technical skills, I also learned about the importance of professionalism, particularly how to effectively pitch and present ideas. My internship at Munchkin further enriched my experience. I worked on various projects, including developing products for nursing and parenting. Collaborating closely with engineers, marketers, and safety managers, I contributed to creating a new product line that expanded the company’s user base.

As an industrial designer, I believe that a well-designed product enhances the user experience not just functionally, but also mentally and aesthetically. I am passionate about exploring innovative ideas and prototyping solutions that elevate everyday experiences. My goal as a designer is to bridge user stories with creative potential, bringing ideas to life through thoughtful and impactful design.

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?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth, and I’ve faced a few challenges along the way. One of the biggest struggles for me has been identifying hidden potential in my design projects. It’s often a key point to find those unique pain points or aspirational elements that can really be improved upon, and this requires deep research to truly resonate with the problematic situation. Even after narrowing down the core direction, there’s still the challenge of communicating effectively with visuals, graphics, or renderings. If visual communication isn’t clear, the entire presentation can become vague and hard to understand.

Another challenge has been developing my presentation skills. As a non-native English speaker, it’s been crucial for me to learn how to pitch ideas professionally. This involves finding the right tone, mannerisms, and presentation style, both in virtual and physical settings. Overcoming these struggles has required a lot of self-learning and adaptation.

To overcome these challenges, I’ve found that seeking broad feedback is incredibly valuable. Getting insights from peers, teachers, designers, engineers, and even sales teams has provided me with new perspectives and solutions I might not have considered on my own. Their observations and expertise have often guided me toward better solutions and helped me improve my skills.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in designing lifestyle products that people interact with regularly and deeply, such as lighting, consumer electronics, and home devices. I believe these everyday objects have the potential to significantly enhance the user’s experience and well-being, and I love creating designs that resonate on a personal level. My focus is on creating products that blend seamlessly into people’s lives, providing both functional benefits and emotional satisfaction.

One of my favorite projects is Glow, a mood light and diffuser designed to modernize the traditional candle experience. Glow reimagines wax candles by combining a soft, glowing light with the soothing effects of scent diffusion. This product was designed to evoke the cozy ambiance of a candle while offering a more modern and versatile experience. The design process for Glow involved creating sketches to explore form and functionality, testing these ideas with 3D-printed mockups to refine the silhouette, and selecting materials that would create the desired diffused lighting effect.

The Glow features a diffuser wax container for a gentle scent experience and a vertical motion-lighting system that mimics the look of a melting candle, enhancing relaxation and mood. The intuitive rotational control makes adjusting the lighting and diffusion settings easy and seamless. I’m most proud of how Glow transcends the traditional value of a candle, transforming it into a modern, multifunctional lighting object that enhances everyday life.

What sets me apart as a designer is my commitment to creating products that not only fulfill a practical need but also bring a sense of comfort and aesthetic pleasure to the user. I always strive to combine traditional elements with innovative designs, ensuring that each product I create has a unique story and purpose behind it.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
During the COVID-19 crisis, I learned the importance of leveraging online platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram not just for social networking, but also as powerful tools for showcasing design work and building professional connections. Before the pandemic, I didn’t fully realize how effective these platforms could be for presenting my work and engaging with the design community. The shift to remote work and virtual communication highlighted the value of having an online presence where I could share my projects, receive feedback, and connect with industry professionals in a more casual and accessible way. This experience has taught me the importance of maintaining an active online portfolio and being open to new opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jihoon.design/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_yang9/